The FudBlog: Colossal Squid

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

STRANGEFORMS FESTIVAL, DAY 1, BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB, LEEDS, APRIL 18 2026

We're back in Leeds for the 11th StrangeForms festival. Of course we are.

Line-up:

BIRDWITCH: Off to a grand start with these folks, Norwich based - but partly from Scotland - doomgazers. Rousing stuff, and a big voice from such a slight figure of a singer. Draw a good sized crowd, which is nice for an opening act.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/EqdaMY3n0Ww https://www.facebook.com/Birdwitch

LAST OF EDEN(L.O.E.): Hefty post-rock. First band of the weekend to have a member join the crowd. There isn't a video for this, because I fucked up somehow. I have video, and I have audio, but they don't match. Which is annoying, because they were more than decent. But barely visible.

https://www.facebook.com/weareloemusic

AS LIVING ARROWS: The first band (of only 4) of the weekend that I've seen before, and happy to see them again. Chunky post-emo-screamo-metal

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/72Ia7XWHpyo https://www.facebook.com/aslivingarrows.band

FORLORN: Self-described as 'Midsommar metal', stirring stuff with songs of paganism, mythology and folk horror. From that leafy green centre of mysticism, London.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/BHOogmZVIO8 https://www.facebook.com/weareallforlorn

GOD ALONE: Ridiculously skilful explosive dance-math from Cork, and the second of my previously-seen bands. I STILL have no idea how they do it. Inevitably, some of them end up in the crowd.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ai3P4WSGELs https://www.facebook.com/godalonecork

COLOSSAL SQUID: Drummer/producer Adam Betts in his squid costume. Gets off to a false start with his computer acting 'like a twat'. Sound cards don't like excessive vibration, apparently. Once sorted, he batters several shades of shit out of his kit and is enormously entertaining. Previously seen act #3.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/iH1pE40UyBI https://www.facebook.com/colossalsquidmusic1

KNIVES: Blistering punk noise. With a saxophone. And a very turbulent crowd.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/moxXO_aiY9Y https://www.facebook.com/knivesnoise

MERYL STREEK: Irish 'council house lad' raging against injustice and the cruelty of modern society with a soap-box, a laptop and a flashing torch. Entertainment or education? Why not both? Something to think about on the way home from the show.

VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/merylstreek

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

STRANGEFORMS FEST, LEEDS, DAY 2, APRIL 16 2023

Venue: BRUDENELL SOCIALCLUB, LEEDS

Line-up:

CONJURER: Unashamed metal of the highest order. Crushing. Not 'post' in any way. World domination awaits, if there's any justice.

SLOW CRUSH: Gorgeous shoegaze from Belgium

BICURIOUS: Math-rock madness from Dublin duo.

COLOSSAL SQUID: Drums'n'stuff from Adam Betts, AKA Colossal Squid

GRAYWAVE: More of that shoegaze stuff, this time from Birmingham

ENVOYS: Local post-metal heroes,back for one night only(possibly) after a lengthy hiatus. Special guest appearance from our host, Stewart Ramsay of Bad Owl.