UPRISING 9 Announcement: UPRISING hosts the 25th Anniversary party of TotalRock Radio!

The annual ‘Night Before UPRISING’ returns to the Firebug on Friday 22nd May 2026. The night will be hosted by the DJs of TotalRock with guest DJ slots.

For those who are unfamiliar, TotalRock — the station was launched in 2000 by Tommy Vance and a group of rock music visionaries, including Programme Director Tony Wilson and Managing Editor Malcolm Dome. TotalRock pioneered the concept of a dedicated rock radio station in the UK, building an enviable reputation for launching the careers of bands and DJs alike.

Headlining the evening is none other than Corby’s finest, VIKING SKULL, originally formed in 2002 with Raging Speedhorn members Frank Regan, Darren Smith and Gordon Morrison. The alcohol-fuelled, rock and roll heavyweights like to party and will deliver a set which will span their 23-year career.

Check out their single ‘Blackened Sunrise’, taken from their 2007 album ‘Chapter II’, directed by Bam Margera of Jackass fame.

Joining VIKING SKULL will be one of UPRISING’s favourites, TRIBE OF GHOSTS, having performed previously at UPRISING 7 in 2024. The band went on to release their highly anticipated debut album, ‘City’, and has proceeded to deliver critically acclaimed sets at some of the UK’s prestigious festivals, including Takedown, Bloodstock, and Radar Festival, to name a few.

Check out their single ‘False Gods’, taken from their album City:

Opening the evening are local legends of Leicester, the one and only MAGE, another favourite at UPRISING, for fans of monstrous riffs and huge choruses. The band are back and bigger than ever with a brand new album to promote titled ‘Hymns from the Afterlife’. It’s not UPRISING without MAGE.

Check out the band’s latest single ‘Devil Be Damned’ taken from their brand new album ‘Hymns of the Afterlife’:

Performing across the Uprising weekend are: PITCHSHIFTER, STAMPIN GROUND, LAWNMOWER DETH, BREED 77, MANORS, MAYFIRE, PRYMA, FRACTIONS, GURT, HAWXX, MAATKARE, BREAK THEM, VIKING SKULL, TRIBE OF GHOSTS & MAGE.

We will be adding more bands to UPRISING 9, very soon!