Shiv and the Carvers (Canada) bring their roaring queer punk to The Castle Hotel featuring The Lotts (Manchester) .

Whether lambasting tech billionaires, crooked cops, or purity culture, Shiv and the Carvers’s ridiculously fun, anti-authoritarian anthems make for an impeccable show indeed. Incubated in the dusty warehouses of Toronto’s roller derby scene, the band’s “Josie and the Pussycats meet Bikini Kill” sound has been conjuring rapturous mosh pits across their hometown of Toronto and well beyond. Led by the electrifying vocals of Shiv Scott and featuring guitarist Nicky Maxwell, bassist Annie Jane Marie, and drummer Mike Wiznuk, Shiv and the Carvers’s riot grrrl punk brings people together in righteous anger.

While Shiv and the Carvers have already made a big mark in Canada’s punk scene—including performances with Lambrini Girls and Viagra Boys, inclusion in Exclaim!’s Class of 2024 series, signing to Twin Fang Records, and getting handpicked by the legendary Bif Naked to join her official CMW showcase—the project started in Shiv Scott’s bedroom. “I’ve always had this dream of releasing an album,” she recalls, “and during the pandemic, I put one together, just totally self-produced.” The band expanded when Shiv got into roller derby, leading her to guitarist Android (a holdover from the derby name Android W.K.) and a newfound confidence. “On the track, you get a sense that nothing can stop you” says Shiv, “you think, ‘not even four blockers who are bigger, taller, or stronger can deter me!’” As they grew into a four-piece, Shiv and the Carvers became a riotous force; and just like a great roller derby team, they could keep in sync at a rapid pace.

The Lotts

Rock n’ Roll crackerjacks. Est 2018. The Lotts are a four-piece from Warrington consisting of Henry Buchanan (vocals & guitar), Adam Bridge (guitar), Joel Norton (drums), and Jamie Evans (bass).

Signed to the impeccable Whispering Pines, they have recorded twice at the legendary Rockfield Studios and tonight they play This Feeling’s #BigIn2023 in Manchester.

Jagged bluesy punk riffs set fire to this anthem. Mersey beat influences are injected with punk via frontman Bucanan’s snarling vocal. Coupled with the garage, mod, and psyche of the guitars The Rifles and The Strypes are going to have to move out of the way of the juggernaut that is The Lotts.