“Made by musicians, for musicians.”
For years now, Riff Factory has been an institution within the Stoke-on-Trent scene, acting as a community hub and practice space for many of the city’s best acts. Now, following 18 months of renovation, the space has opened its doors to the public, debuting its newest venture, The Venue. We were lucky enough to be invited down to cover the special occasion.
A lineup stacked with local talent, this invite-only event looked promising from the outset. What had many intrigued, however, was the headliner – an unknown act going by Push Rope… Before them, though, there was plenty to sink your teeth into, with the likes of Invasion, Return To Solace, and Black Coast all taking up supporting roles.
It’s crucial to note the importance of Riff Factory to all of these acts, with each having utilised the space over the years, and many still doing so today. Riff Factory has provided a place for these bands to practice, write, and even record on occasion, making this showcase all the more meaningful.
Invasion
Kicking off the celebration, Invasion took to the stage first before a packed-out room. With a reputation already surpassing many of their peers, they put on a showcase of pure SoT hardcore. Starting steady, with calls to get the crowd moving, they quickly won people over, and though there wasn’t quite as much movement as they might’ve hoped, it’s hard to argue that their reception was anything short of great given their early set time.
Despite the slippery floor, a handful of two-steppers and crowdkillers emerged throughout the set, a true testament to the band’s stage presence. Performing with the confidence and tightness of a far more seasoned act, Invasion proved they’re up next. One of the city’s most promising young bands, there was truly no better act to kick off the night and showcase Riff Factory’s influence on the local scene.
Return To Solace
Return To Solace were up next, shifting gears to show off the city’s metalcore chops. A unique sound drawing from technical metalcore, prog, and hardcore, their style is something wholly their own, and their inclusion on this lineup felt all the more fitting because of it. Playing a mix of older and newer material, it’s clear this band has a bright path ahead. Taking time to shout out the venue multiple times throughout their set, it was obvious how much this space means to them. A true full-circle moment for both band and venue, it’s sets like this that truly embody Riff Factory’s ethos.
With new music seemingly on the horizon, we’re looking forward to what they do next, and if the few tracks they debuted on the night are anything to go by, Return To Solace are doing things differently and doing them well.
Black Coast
Penultimate act Black Coast brought their nu-metalcore stylings to the small stage, once again proving why they’re one of Stoke’s premier exports. Having seen steady growth over the last few years, it’s safe to say that Black Coast are onto something special, and this performance only cemented that.
The band played a set spanning their discography, showing off their range across styles. Packed with headbanging, two-stepping, and mic grabs from the audience, their mark on the local scene is undeniable, and the city’s love for them equally so.
Their newer material shows them at their peak, with “Strangers Skin” and “HOPELESS” standing out as crowd favourites. It’s obvious there’s new music on the way, and given the strength of both past and current material, hopes are high. Who knows, maybe we’ll see them play a release show at Riff Factory soon.
Static Dress
Finally, Push Rope, or Static Dress, as they’re more commonly known, took to the stage to close out the festivities. A not-so-secret set to round off the night, there was truly no better act to christen the venue’s opening.
Riff Factory played a crucial role in the formation of this band and of drummer Sam Ogden, something that was touched on several times throughout their set. Kicking things off with a bang, their latest single “face” set the tone for what became one of the sweatiest sets Stoke has ever seen. Progressing through a greatest-hits-style set, including returning fan favourites like “Safeword”, Static Dress put on a masterclass in what’s possible when you’re surrounded by a supportive, creative community.
Halfway through the set, the band paused for Sam to give a heartfelt speech about what Riff Factory means to him. Paraphrasing, he told the crowd about his personal history with the space, having been a regular since he was 14, and still using it to this day. He praised co-owners Ant and Tom, saying that without their support and advice, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
It’s for this reason that spaces like Riff Factory and its newly opened venue deserve our support. Without grassroots spaces created by musicians, for musicians, small independent acts will continue to fade away until all that’s left is label-produced slop.
Later in the set, frontman Olli Appleyard invited Ant and Tom onstage to speak about their aspirations for the venue. They made one thing clear: their focus is, and always will be, on the community. In a time when so many independent spaces face closure, community-driven venues like this deserve every ounce of support we can give. Whether that’s attending shows, buying merch, or simply spreading the word, every bit helps.
Riff Factory now joins the growing network of grassroots venues making a difference, and it’s every bit as deserving of recognition. In a way, it’s Stoke’s answer to Leeds-based BOOM, its practice-to-stage ethos a clear statement of intent and something worthy of real praise.
Then, back to what Static Dress do best: putting on a show. Closing out the set with the one-two punch of “sweet” into “clean.” before finishing with hit single “crying”, the band showed just how far you can come with the right support behind you. Now set to embark on yet another US tour, this time with Dying Wish, their story is a true testament to what Riff Factory represents.
Closing Remarks
It’s clear as day that this space means the world to local artists, and now, with its doors finally open to the public, it offers yet another way to jump-start the careers of up-and-coming bands. A room full of friends and family, Riff Factory’s opening night showed just how vital community is to the scene. We have no doubt this will only grow as the venue continues to book more stellar shows from Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.
A huge thank you to Static Dress and Riff Factory for inviting us to be part of this event. We can’t wait to see what’s in store in the not-so-distant future!
Check out upcoming shows at Riff Factory here.
All photography by Murry Deaves (@murrydeaves) – Please contact before use. Thank you Murry.