“Bring me sunshine...in your smile. Bring me laughter...all the while. In this world where we live, there should be more happiness. So much joy you can give, to each brand-new bright tomorrow”... Such positive, inspirational and heart-warming lyricism from British TV comedy royalty, Morecambe & Wise...which, admittedly I am now going to absolutely, brutally contradict by once again, returning to Morecambe town. Already my third consecutive Gothic weekender...time flies when you wish you were having fun...I jest. Happiness is subjective; it’s a grey area...a bit like Morecambe’s weather front...or is it?
Yes, it’s time for CORROSION FEST 2026, and we have another splendid couple of nights to look forward to at the Alhambra, where we celebrate multicultural subculture as bands from the UK, Europe and beyond champion some things synthy, plenty of things post-punky and generally all things Goth coated. Join me on another adventure north, as we hope the bands play all of the right notes, but actually in the right order...
The journey up to Morecambe on Thursday isn’t as gruelling this time around, as I bit the bullet and got the train from Cardiff instead of the coach, which I can estimate saved me around 3-5 business days travel time. The coach maybe cheaper, but it’s honestly on par with expecting a parcel from EVRI...delivery estimated between 1pm Thursday and November 25th 2029.
Last March, Morecambe seemed like a ghost town as I've previously stated, but...to my utter disbelief, the sun was out, and the little seaside town had a buzz of activity! There were people sat outside Wetherspoons chattering away, there were kids in the little skatepark, bunking off school given the time of day...people walking dogs along the seafront...it was...warm! I half expected to see Judith Chalmers Zimmer-framing it across the bay! Anyway, quick beverage, check into my hotel, bite to eat, meet up with Donna, Mike and the early bird crew for evening drinks, redeem myself at pool at Davy Jones Locker (Sorry Cathy) and look forward to another wonderful weekend of live music. Sleep is well overdue.
Friday as always only has the 4-band evening line-up, so I have a day to explore and chill ahead of opening night. The obligatory fridge magnets and tea-towels were purchased, but this time I went on an extra side-quest. I’m a football fan, and my team is Man United...as unpleasant as that has been in the last decade...but I also have soft spots for some neutral teams. My Grandad used to play for Portsmouth back in the day, so I follow their results...and there are others like Merthyr Town, Fulham or HJK Helsinki for example. All those aside, I had a wander around town to visit the Mazuma Stadium, because with Morecambe FC struggling in the relegation zone of the National League...I wanted to visit the gift shop and support the club.
The lady at the counter wasn’t expecting anyone to be fair, as she was deep throating a croissant and not prepared to serve a random Welsh customer not long after opening! Wiping the pastry crumbs off my receipt, with my new Morecambe FC home shirt and wrist bands...I felt part of a seaside community. What cost me £30 for a shirt...didn’t cost me my life, unlike some certain cockle pickers... (DAMNIT GAV YOU DID IT AGAIN! FFS! WE’RE OVER THIS!)
Yes, it’s time for CORROSION FEST 2026, and we have another splendid couple of nights to look forward to at the Alhambra, where we celebrate multicultural subculture as bands from the UK, Europe and beyond champion some things synthy, plenty of things post-punky and generally all things Goth coated. Join me on another adventure north, as we hope the bands play all of the right notes, but actually in the right order...
The journey up to Morecambe on Thursday isn’t as gruelling this time around, as I bit the bullet and got the train from Cardiff instead of the coach, which I can estimate saved me around 3-5 business days travel time. The coach maybe cheaper, but it’s honestly on par with expecting a parcel from EVRI...delivery estimated between 1pm Thursday and November 25th 2029.
Last March, Morecambe seemed like a ghost town as I've previously stated, but...to my utter disbelief, the sun was out, and the little seaside town had a buzz of activity! There were people sat outside Wetherspoons chattering away, there were kids in the little skatepark, bunking off school given the time of day...people walking dogs along the seafront...it was...warm! I half expected to see Judith Chalmers Zimmer-framing it across the bay! Anyway, quick beverage, check into my hotel, bite to eat, meet up with Donna, Mike and the early bird crew for evening drinks, redeem myself at pool at Davy Jones Locker (Sorry Cathy) and look forward to another wonderful weekend of live music. Sleep is well overdue.
Friday as always only has the 4-band evening line-up, so I have a day to explore and chill ahead of opening night. The obligatory fridge magnets and tea-towels were purchased, but this time I went on an extra side-quest. I’m a football fan, and my team is Man United...as unpleasant as that has been in the last decade...but I also have soft spots for some neutral teams. My Grandad used to play for Portsmouth back in the day, so I follow their results...and there are others like Merthyr Town, Fulham or HJK Helsinki for example. All those aside, I had a wander around town to visit the Mazuma Stadium, because with Morecambe FC struggling in the relegation zone of the National League...I wanted to visit the gift shop and support the club.
The lady at the counter wasn’t expecting anyone to be fair, as she was deep throating a croissant and not prepared to serve a random Welsh customer not long after opening! Wiping the pastry crumbs off my receipt, with my new Morecambe FC home shirt and wrist bands...I felt part of a seaside community. What cost me £30 for a shirt...didn’t cost me my life, unlike some certain cockle pickers... (DAMNIT GAV YOU DID IT AGAIN! FFS! WE’RE OVER THIS!)
Let’s get back on track, shall we? Yes? Good. After a brief delay at doors, we’re back at The Alhambra, my first Jack & Coke is purchased, and we’re ready for our opening act; SCHEITAN [5]. The Swedish duo are a pleasant enough introduction to the weekends line-up, with their subtle blend of synthy rock, which you’ll be interested to know is a complete departure from their 1996 origins. While initially black metal inspired, after an incredibly lengthy hiatus, they returned with a far more melodic, post-punk aesthetic and it’s a far mellower, accessible shift in direction. Tracks like “Heaven Tonight” are wonderfully light, airy and electronically tinged, while “A Kiss Of Death” and “Love ‘N Death” round off the promotion of the album “Wine For A Tormented Soul”.
I could do with some of that frankly, the Jack & Coke tastes off. Trust me I should know. There is a simplicity here that harks back to early 2000’s THE 69 EYES, where they first truly embraced an almost-baritone, Gothic rock approach as opposed to their garage glam roots, and it works here too. Tracks like “Hearse” from “Songs For The Gothic People” remind us that we’re all here to embrace the community, as you only live once and these moments are to be appreciated. A solid first band, but being openers on day one, we’re not exactly at capacity just yet, but they go down well.
I could do with some of that frankly, the Jack & Coke tastes off. Trust me I should know. There is a simplicity here that harks back to early 2000’s THE 69 EYES, where they first truly embraced an almost-baritone, Gothic rock approach as opposed to their garage glam roots, and it works here too. Tracks like “Hearse” from “Songs For The Gothic People” remind us that we’re all here to embrace the community, as you only live once and these moments are to be appreciated. A solid first band, but being openers on day one, we’re not exactly at capacity just yet, but they go down well.
Next up we have my first highlight of the weekend, as we welcome DARKWAYS [8] from Barcelona, Spain. The last time I was in Spain I was a young teenager, really just getting into rock and metal...and for the life of me I can’t recall ever seeing anyone of an alternative disposition, bar one record store in Tossa De Mar where I bought “Untouchables” by KORN (The best Korn album IMO) while on holiday...so to have a post-punk/darkwave band from Spain get to also witness the depression that is this seaside town is beautiful.
Tracks like “Ash Maker” blend post-punk qualities with New-Romantic vibes for a catchy little number with some distinct, almost nasally vocals, and while dark in its own right, it’s got plenty of pop hooks, resulting in a dance-floor filler. “Leaves No Trace Behind”, with its up-tempo delivery, completes the promotion of “Rust” but disappointingly they don’t play “Rust” itself which I find annoying. They do however round things up with a fantastic rendition of “I Like The Night (And The Night Likes Me)” which again, is a rallying cry for all in attendance, to embrace their true selves, which is what these events are for.
Tracks like “Ash Maker” blend post-punk qualities with New-Romantic vibes for a catchy little number with some distinct, almost nasally vocals, and while dark in its own right, it’s got plenty of pop hooks, resulting in a dance-floor filler. “Leaves No Trace Behind”, with its up-tempo delivery, completes the promotion of “Rust” but disappointingly they don’t play “Rust” itself which I find annoying. They do however round things up with a fantastic rendition of “I Like The Night (And The Night Likes Me)” which again, is a rallying cry for all in attendance, to embrace their true selves, which is what these events are for.
DER HIMMEL [5] are up next and I have to admit...I’m giving them a neutral score because I was otherwise engaged. Sorry guys. Sure, the German sounding Italian’s performed well enough, and one can assume they played “Sweet Dancing Butterfly”, which gives off SISTERS OF MERCY vibes, going off background noise alone, but I was off getting a signed vinyl from DARWKWAYS and correcting the cocktails at the bar. They had a special on...”Dracula’s Kiss”...which was cherry vodka and coke. Incredibly tart. Me and Cathy were like...do us a favour, make that but chuck some Amaretto in there as well. The barmaid complies...and et voila...you’ve gone from “Dracula’s Kiss” to “Dracula’s Battenberg”. You are welcome. Der Himmel might have played “White Dream” as well...I don’t know. I’m assuming at this point, but as far as background noise goes, it’s alright.
Finally, then, we get Friday’s headliner’s, MOTEL TRANSYLVANIA [8] who bring a whole new rock ‘n’ roll aura to proceedings. Despite only having the one album under their belt, they carry themselves with a certain swagger and self-assured confidence befitting Bonafide rock stars, and these Italian’s are here to have fun. With their harder rock and metal intensity, coupled with light industrial elements, they remind of SOUTH OF SALEM mixed with DOPE STARS INC. in places and I’m sure both sets of fans would appreciate these, with tracks like “Plastic World” and “Burning Lust”. There is a lot of cussing, effing and blinding and you get the idea they are enjoying every living second of being rock stars headlining tonight...but we have to remember they are one album deep into their career, they aren’t exactly LIMP BIZKIT right now...so the swearing does come across as a bit cringe after a while. Cunts. Jokes aside, the band manage to get dancers on stage to really hammer home the party/celebratory atmosphere and coupled with GOTHZILLA’s Tim Jarvis joining them for an incredible rendition of “Children Of The Dark”...this set is nothing short of triumphant. They came to have fun and boy did they.
Corrosion night one is always a brief affair, but it perfectly sets a mood and tone for the weekend as a whole. Everyone is dressed up, the tunes and beers flow in harmony, people are dancing, people are catching up from either BITA or last year's Corrosion, and it really does feel like a family gathering. Most festivals are sold on the popularity of the headliners or the line-up as a whole...that’s an afterthought at best in Morecambe...I mean you’ve got Italian and Spanish alternative and darkwave bands playing an English seaside town famous for comedy in the 1970’s...and it’s not done for laughs. This is community driven...and the support is abundant. Whitby might be celebrated but it’s also compromised...if you like to take part in a Gothic Comicon then by all means, but if you appreciate the music, the subculture and the community without the bells and whistles; if you want to discover new bands...go West...and I don’t mean John West...no cockles there...GODDAMNIT! Look just check out Morecambe...please. This was just night one. Words: Gavin Griffiths
Corrosion night one is always a brief affair, but it perfectly sets a mood and tone for the weekend as a whole. Everyone is dressed up, the tunes and beers flow in harmony, people are dancing, people are catching up from either BITA or last year's Corrosion, and it really does feel like a family gathering. Most festivals are sold on the popularity of the headliners or the line-up as a whole...that’s an afterthought at best in Morecambe...I mean you’ve got Italian and Spanish alternative and darkwave bands playing an English seaside town famous for comedy in the 1970’s...and it’s not done for laughs. This is community driven...and the support is abundant. Whitby might be celebrated but it’s also compromised...if you like to take part in a Gothic Comicon then by all means, but if you appreciate the music, the subculture and the community without the bells and whistles; if you want to discover new bands...go West...and I don’t mean John West...no cockles there...GODDAMNIT! Look just check out Morecambe...please. This was just night one. Words: Gavin Griffiths
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