LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: DRAMALOVE, BABYSAID AND MORE AT THE ENGINE ROOMS, LONDON (25/07/25)
At the end of a week that saw the world lose the Prince of Darkness, live music and the community around it felt extra important. Down at The Engine Rooms rehearsal studios in East London, a stacked roster of bands kept the flame of rock 'n roll alive, dropping in plenty of Ozzy tributes for good measure.
Curated by Platform ‘96, the mission is simple and as equally important: giving a platform for up-and-coming artists and showcasing exceptional local and international talent, creating an exciting stage for fresh, boundary-pushing voices - and tonight was no different.
Up first, Sunday Best brought the personally and charisma in bucketloads with their fun brand of emo-funk-metal. Smooth and sultry in places, heavy as hell in others but blending everything perfectly. Describing themselves as a '‘Gang of Heathens'‘, the polished outfit brought in the crowd early.
"There's too many pretty people in this room" vocalist Alex Ekong grinned, demonstrating a masterclass in how to get the audience on your side. Not that this band needed to persuade or flatter to gain fans, their music certainly speaks for itself, serious and heartfelt but also fun and playful in places, evidenced during a stonking cover of Dizzee Rascal's 'Bonkers'.
Since 2000 from Glasgow followed with a relentless set of dreamlike electronic infused rock, executed with suave ease, the trio giving the impression of a band that knows exactly who they are and where they are headed.
"We are stoked to be here for our very first time playing in London" mused singer and guitarist Daniel Romano and we were treated to a new song titled 'Lost Boys' which went down well with the room at large.
In main support Baby Said danced their way through a set of bouncy, attitude fuelled tunes. The sister duo from the south coast gaining traction and attention with their unique brand of catchy, angsty rock, perfectly demonstrated on the sassy 'Mean Girlz'.
Even at the slower and more sincere moments, such as on the heartfelt 'Burn', Baby Said kept the attention firmly on them, their passion for the music they make evident in their performance, even during technical issues their laser focus never wavered.
"It's our duty as musicians to do this" Dramalove declared as we were treated to - not the first - Black Sabbath cover of the night. The Italian trio (now residing in London) brought a sensual gothic vibe with epic moments of pure rock power.
’Funeral’, a track acclaimed by BBC Radio 6, rumbled along, perfectly demonstrating that pure rock prowess that Dramalove so easily exude.
Ending with a medley of expertly executed covers, beginning with Rage Against the Machine's 'Killing in the Name' and landing on Black Sabbath's 'Iron Man', Dramalove wrapped up a night of skill, originality and most of all, a pure love of all things rock.
Words: Imogen Bird
Photos: Florelle Servageon