On the 24th of April, Cade took to the stage at the Isle of Wight Festival Semi-finals at O’Neill’s Soho, delivering a performance that highlighted their growing presence beyond Brighton. Already well established in their local scene, the band drew an enthusiastic crowd of fans holding handmade signs in visible support.
Opening with Someday, a clear standout track, the band immediately established the high-energy tone for the rest of the evening. The combination of wailing guitars and raw vocals created a powerful first impression. Each member showcased their individual musicianship, while maintaining an undeniable collective cohesion.
My Gasoline, their recently released single, proved to be a clear crowd favourite, prompting immediate excitement from their fans. The guitar solo marked the peak of the song’s intensity, not only was it technically impressive, but it also drew a strong reaction from the audience. An additional notable element during the song was the singer’s deliberate engagements with the audience, further elevating the connection with the audience. As one fan stated, “they just get better each time I see them”.
Beyond the music itself, Cade displayed an unmatchable stage presence. The use of emotion and movement gave the set a cinematic quality, building intensity as it progressed through their cinematic sequences. A particularly memorable moment came at the end of their set when the bassist stood on the drum kit as he continued playing, further amplifying the crowd’s reaction.
The final song Shame was a strong and tightly executed conclusion, combining chaos with precision. The crowd were left captivated, erupting into applause and chanting for more songs, reflecting the power the band hold when commanding attention.
The high levels of praise extended beyond the audience, with industry professionals and the host speaking highly of their talents.
Despite having only been gigging for a year, Cade have established themselves in Brighton’s competitive music scene. Drawing influence from artists like Radiohead and The Cure, while maintaining their own unique sound, they continue to break into the scene. Previous highlights include performing at venues including The Camden Assembly, The Elephants Head and Concorde 2. These venues highlight the band’s rapid progression, checking off many artists’ dream venues at such an early stage in their career.
Cade’s ability to draw in crowds outside of their hometown demonstrates their wide appeal, exemplifying both the loyalty of their fan base but also the quality of their live shows. This transition from local venues to competitive stages marks an important transition within their career.
Overall, the performance exuded both confidence and high potential. The crowd mirrored the band’s energy from the first note to the last. At the time of writing, the results of the semi-final are yet to be announced. However, regardless of the outcome, the strength of the performance highlighted that Cade are more than capable of competing at this level. With a recently confirmed slot at the Victorious Festival, their progression onto larger stages is very clear. One thing is for certain: they are definitely a band to watch.