There is something special about a festival where the crowd knows the organisers by name the bands hang around to watch each other play and every pint poured feels like part of the celebration. That is exactly what MurphyFest brought to Long Eaton on April 5 2025—a grassroots gathering built on passion community and brilliant live music.
Held at the Soldiers and Sailors Club this second edition of the homegrown festival lovingly organised by Michelle and Russ Torr felt more like a giant family reunion than a typical gig. From the moment you walked in the atmosphere buzzed with warmth. It was not just about the music—it was about people showing up for each other and for a cause.
The night kicked off with Darwin’s Rejects who wasted no time in bringing the noise. Raw gritty and charged with punk energy they gave the growing crowd an immediate jolt of electricity. Their set proudly showcased tracks from their new album Unnatural Selection which is available now. It was the sound of a band doubling down on its identity and inviting everyone along for the ride—loud honest and unfiltered.
Next up was Andrea Kenny who brought a welcome shift in tone. Best known from The Brandy Thieves Andrea stripped it back and reminded everyone how powerful a single voice and guitar can be. Her songs were intimate poetic and soul baring. You could hear a pin drop between verses and more than one person wiped their eyes.
Then came Brian Stone and The Masters of None who exploded onto the stage with the kind of energy a Saturday night crowd thrives on. Raucous political and ridiculously fun their set was packed with stomping rhythms and shout along choruses. The chemistry between the band members lit up the room and the audience was completely on board from start to finish.
Finally Headsticks brought the night to its peak with a blistering set that showed exactly why they have become such a respected name on the grassroots circuit. Their mix of folk punk and fierce social commentary hit hard and felt deeply relevant. They had the crowd on their feet and kept them there ending the night on a powerful high that buzzed long after the final chord.
But MurphyFest was not just about great bands. It was about raising money for Life Commitment Dog Rescue and The Canaan Trust and that sense of purpose gave the night real heart. Every raffle ticket bought every beer raised and every cheer shared meant something more.
This was not a polished commercial event and that was the point. This was real music in a real room with real people. The kind of night that leaves you with ringing ears a full heart and a reminder that the best scenes are the ones we build ourselves.
MurphyFest has soul. Long may it continue.
