Infected Rain, supported by Butcher Babies and Black Spikes, live at the O2 Institute in Birmingham, 2026.

It’s not often you get a lineup of three female-fronted metal bands on the same bill, so this was one I’d been looking forward to for a while. I made a point of getting there early—partly out of excitement, partly out of photographer instinct: you don’t risk missing a band you haven’t shot before.

Black Spikes opened the night and were the only act on the bill I hadn’t seen previously. Even in the early slot, they commanded attention and set the tone for the night. Definitely a band I’d go out of my way to shoot again.

Next up were Butcher Babies, fronted by Heidi Shepherd, who brought a different but equally compelling energy. Heidi barely stood still, constantly moving, jumping, and leaning into the crowd. There’s always a balance between anticipating movement and reacting in the moment, and her stage presence kept you on your toes. What stood out just as much was her connection with the audience; she was clearly enjoying herself, interacting with fans at the barrier and even recognising familiar faces. Their set was substantial, and by the time they wrapped up, it was pushing close to 10pm.

I’d seen Infected Rain before at Bloodstock Festival, so I had a sense of what was coming—but that didn’t make it any easier to capture. If anything, it raised the bar. As soon as Lena Scissorhands hit the stage, the energy shifted. There’s an intensity to her performance that doesn’t translate passively—you have to chase it with your camera.

Those first three songs—about 15 chaotic minutes in the pit—were a blur of movement and lighting changes. Lena Scissorhands moves between controlled stillness and explosive motion in seconds, which makes timing everything.

By the time I left the pit, it felt like it had gone by in seconds. But that’s usually the sign of a great set—not just to watch, but to shoot.