H.E.A.T / Rescue Rooms / Nottingham
Review and Photography by Manny Manson (Images That Rock Photography)
Last night, at the Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, we had a cheeky throw back to 80’s inspired rock. It all started when Chez Kane exploded onto the stage like a bolt of pure 80’s energy. Dressed in her cheeky stage gear of fringed jacket and fishnet leggings and beaming with confidence, she and her band went about setting the tone right from the start. Kicking things off with Too Late for Love, the band laid down a high-octane foundation, with guitars that screamed, a bass that thumped, hard, into your chest, and drums that just wouldn’t quit. You could tell right away that every song was going to be a wild ride.
The energy kept building as she rolled into All of It, filling the venue with an infectious mix of retro vibes and her trademark 80’s raw rock power. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, I Just Want You stepped in, drawing you closer with its heartfelt vocals and a melody that made the room feel even more intimate, we were already fag paper close, despite the booming sound system. The night was a nonstop journey through classic rock, and Nationwide brought that arena-rock spirit to life with fist-pumping choruses and searing solos that reminded everyone why the 80’s will never die.
Then came Ball n' Chain, a track that really highlighted the band’s tight groove and Chez’s unrelenting stage presence. Just when you thought the set couldn’t hit another high, Get It On roared to life, another full-throttle anthem that had the crowd cheering and fists in the air, echoing every note. Rocket on the Radio was yet another standout, yes another! with its sing-along energy and a guitar solo that practically spoke to every fan in the room.
The softer side of the night appeared with Love Gone Wild, where Chez’s voice showed just how powerful and vulnerable rock can be. And as if saving the best for last wasn’t enough, she closed her set with the title track from her latest long player, Powerzone. This finale cranked the energy up to a fever pitch with its tight interplay between guitars and drums, leaving everyone buzzing long after the final chords were struck by Harry and bare sox wearing, James Ready.
With Swedish acts Art Nation and headliner H.E.A.T lined up to follow, Chez Kane’s performance was the perfect kick-off. It was a set full of big anthems, infectious grooves, and that undeniable 80’s rock spirit, raw, real, and utterly unforgettable.
After Chez Kane’s explosive set, the energy in the Rescue Rooms was still buzzing when Art Nation took over. There was a natural shift in the vibe, like the night was passing the rock ‘n’ roll torch seamlessly. Art Nation took the stage with a calm confidence that comes from years of playing, even if it’s our first time catching them live.
They kicked things off with Brutal and Beautiful from their 2023 album “Inception”. The opening chords hit hard as Strandell’s powerful vocals cut through a wall of melodic guitars. The harmonised riffs were simply mesmerising, filling every corner of the room while the lights shifted from warm reds to icy neon blues—a perfect match for the track’s dramatic swings.
No sooner had the echoes of that track faded than Thunderball stormed in. This song turned the energy up even further. The guitars ripped into a razor-sharp riff as the rhythm section held it down like a true rock machine. Strandell, fist raised and completely owning the stage, led the crowd into a chant-like chorus. Christopher Borg’s solo was pure fire, did anyone else think he was a double of Simon Pegg? His every note oozed attitude and kept the audience completely hooked.
Just when you thought the intensity might settle, they switched gears with Echo from Inception. This one was atmospheric, striking a balance between modern sounds and a nod to the past. Strandell, in his signature duster coat and eye make-up, prowled the stage, making eye contact with fans and urging them to clap along. I’m sure there was a synth in there somewhere, was this magic added by Borg’s creative genius, anyway the sound seemed to add a shimmering touch while Lundgren’s steady drumming kept everything grounded.
Then it was time for Set Me Free from “Liberation” (2017), and the stage exploded into high gear once again. The guitars blazed as the band moved in perfect sync, and Strandell roamed the stage, mic in hand, trying to get everyone to sing along, remember for many this was a new band to them despite they having formed over a decade ago. The instrumental break, consisting of Borg launching into an explosive solo, felt like a throwback to the best of ‘80s rock. When the final chorus hit, fists were in the air and sweat was flying everywhere, this was pure, unadulterated arena style 80’s melodic rock.
Art Nation then shifted the mood slightly with Halo, an, as yet, unreleased single, making its live debut. This slow-burning anthem built up gradually, starting with a soft, atmospheric shimmer before turning into a full-blown rock epic. The guitar and bass wove rich melodies with soaring Borg once again providing a lead, and the thunderous rhythm section gave the perfect backing for Strandell’s powerhouse vocals. The crowd was completely caught up in the song’s build-up, and when the final chorus erupted, it was like riding one last wave of cathartic energy.
They wrapped up the set with Need You to Understand from “Revolution” (2015), a final burst of pure energy that left no doubt about who Art Nation really are. The interplay between the band members was fantastic, and Strandell’s voice soared effortlessly above the mix. In a memorable moment, he even climbed down to the barrier to reach out over the crowd as his final notes echoed through the room. The audience’s cheers echoed their enjoyment of a stunning set of musical class, it was clear that Art Nation had just carved out a whole new group of fans that night.
From the high-octane vibes of Chez Kane to the dynamic presence of Art Nation, this night at the Rescue Rooms was slowly developing into a masterclass in rock ‘n’ roll energy, real, raw, and unforgettable.
After Art Nation’s killer set, the stage was left buzzing with energy. The crew cleared away the glitter drum kit from earlier, giving H.E.A.T a bit more room between the drums and keys, a small change that made a big difference. The crowd were still light in their loafers as the headliners hit the stage, H.E.A.T wasted no time in turning that energy into pure, unfiltered melodic rock chaos.
The moment H.E.A.T walked out, the opening riff of Disaster (from their new album, April 2025) hit everyone like a lightning bolt. Frontman Kenny Leckremo, sporting a sharp brown leather jacket, leggings that lit up the face of many a girl fan, and letting his long hair fly as he raced around the stage, he instantly commanded the room. His vocals sliced through the wall of sound, while Jimmy Jay and Don Crash laid down a rock-solid foundation. Jona Tee’s tinkling keys and Dave Delone’s searing lead riff on his custom red-bodied Kramer guitar only added to the magic. The track was an instant hit, the temperature in the room boiled over, as the energy levels soared.
No sooner had that energy settled then Emergency (from “Tearing Down the Walls”, 2014) crashed into the mix. Kenny charged forward, hair whipping about as he belted out, "It's an emergency!" The crowd roared back in response. The duel between Dave Delone’s screaming guitar and Jona Tee’s electric keys was locked in tight, and Jimmy Jay’s bass thumped like a heartbeat, driving every note home.
Next up was Hollywood (from “Force Majeure”, 2022), a song that turned the stage into a neon wonderland. Strobe lights and flashing colours added a visual punch to the track’s swagger. Kenny stalked the stage with arena-sized conviction, his voice belting out the chorus as if the whole venue was his playground. Jona Tee’s keys gave the track a cinematic touch, while the thunder of Crash’s drums and Jay’s rumbling bass laid down a fierce groove. It was a real blast of excess and pure rock energy.
Without missing a beat, Rise (from “H.E.A.T II”, 2020) came on next. The stage lit up in red and gold as Kenny, racing around with pure joy, led the charge with an anthemic chorus that felt like a call to arms. Dave Delone’s guitar leads danced around soaring synths and relentless drums, making it clear that this is H.E.A.T at their very best. I’ve seen them a good number of times now and each show is levels higher than the last, watch out EUROPE, the H.E.A.T boys are on your shirt tails.
The energy didn’t let up as they moved into Nationwide (from “Force Majeure”, 2022). It was a full-throttle rock missile, fists flew, and every word was chanted along by a crowd in total sync. The blend of guitar and keys filled the venue with a stadium-sized sound, and it felt like the roof was about to blow off with all that power. They have been watching Spinal Tap, everything is now at a mind blowing 11.
Then came Harder to Breathe (from “H.E.A.T II”, 2020), a track that came in like a bolt of pure adrenaline. Kenny’s vocal range was on full display as he tore through the verses, then launched into a chorus that demanded every ounce of energy from the audience. The band played with relentless precision, leaving no room for a break.
After that high-octane rush, the mood softened a bit with In & Out of Trouble (from “Address the Nation”, 2012). The keys took a soulful lead while Kenny channelled raw passion into every lyric. The whole room seemed to sway under the spell of that bluesy, seductive groove, a brief moment of calm before the storm hit again.
And then, pure chaos: Beg Beg Beg (from “Freedom Rock”, 2010) roared in. A beaming Kenny whipped the crowd into a frenzy, maybe it was his tight attire or the way his voice practically dared everyone to go harder. Dave Delone and Jona Tee traded rapid-fire solos while Don Crash laid down a groove that felt dangerously heavy. The breakdown had everyone in absolute hysteria, and when Crash stepped up for a blistering drum solo, it was like the whole room shook with each hit. With the crowd chanting along to his playful delivery, he took us through a short concussive exercise while his band mates left the stage, no doubt to get some more fluids and get a quick wipe down, before hitting the stage once more.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any wilder, Back to the Rhythm (from “Force Majeure”, 2022) erupted, launching the night back into an overdrive of high-speed riffs and relentless energy. The set then hit a melodic high with Living on the Run (from “Address the Nation”, 2012). It was a massive, fists-in-the-air singalong, with Kenny’s soaring vocals and Dave Delone’s emotive guitar work creating a moment of pure unity between the band and the fans, every word was sung as if it were a lifeline, and the crowd responded in kind.
Then came a special moment, the live debut of their unreleased single, Bad Time for Love. This was a surprise treat for the fans. Kenny introduced it as a song that he and the band are so proud of, they worked their ass’s off to get something new and creative as the next album, and with that the atmosphere shifted as the band launched into the track with razor-sharp precision. Kenny delivered every line with an intensity that made it clear this was going to be a future fan favourite, and the crowd was instantly hooked.
As the night started to wind down, 1000 Miles (from “H.E.A.T”, 2008) kept the venue in 80’s melodic rock hysteria. The synths shimmered, the guitars sliced the air, and the chorus was nothing short of glorious. Fans once sang every word like it was a lifeline, their voices joining Kenny’s in a massive, unifying roar. The explosive outro left everyone with raised fists and big smiles.
Finally, One by One (from “H.E.A.T II”, 2020) kicked in with an epic, war-ready intro, followed by a chorus that felt like a battle cry. The energy was off the charts as band and crowd united for one last round of pure rock intensity. The columns of smoke filled the stage as Kenny stood between them, gladiatorially, obviously enjoying the energy that he, the band and the fans had created.
And then, the grand finale: Tearing Down the Walls (from “Tearing Down the Walls”, 2014). Once again, the opening chords sent the fans into a frenzy, and Kenny left nothing on the stage, his voice soared, his energy was boundless, and the band poured every last bit of power into that final, earth-shaking moment. When the last cymbal crash faded, the lights went down, but the crowd’s cheers kept echoing as the band requested the der rigour selfie to help document the night.
Tonight, H.E.A.T owned every moment, they turned the Rescue Rooms into their own sweaty euphoric arena. From the explosive opening of "Disaster" to the anthemic closeness of "Tearing Down the Walls," Kenny Leckremo raced around the stage with a smile that never faded, driving home the fact that this was pure, unadulterated melodic rock at its finest. The headliners left the Rescue Rooms on fire, wrapping up an unforgettable night of rock that perfectly capped off an evening that started with Chez Kane’s 80s revival and Art Nation’s modern swagger.
That’s why we all love live music!
