INK & AUDIO: Ricky Warwick & the Fighting Hearts, Nightrain, Bradford, 30th April 2026
Bradford’s Nightrain stage is set for action (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Blood Ties UK Tour 2026: A Heavyweight Homecoming at Nightrain
Promoting his latest powerhouse album, Blood Ties, Ricky Warwick brought his high-octane roadshow to Bradford’s premier rock stable, Nightrain. With a career spanning nearly 40 years, Warwick’s pedigree is undisputed—his CV reads like a history of hard rock, featuring The Almighty, Black Star Riders, and Thin Lizzy. With Blood Ties punching into the top 25 of the UK Official Albums chart, securing this date was a significant coup for the venue, drawing a fervent Thursday night crowd ready for a scrap.
The Featherweight Foil: Tony Wright & Milly Evans
Tony Wright & Milly, Bradford Nightrain (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Local hero and Bradford’s own musical pugilist, Tony Wright (Terrorvision, Laika Dog), stepped into the ring first. Delivering a set of "made-up true stories" and acoustic classics, Wright was joined by his long-term cornerman, Milton "Milly" Evans.
Milly—a Terrorvision mainstay since 2005—acted as the perfect foil to Wright’s signature Northern wit. By layering acoustic guitars over a foot-triggered electronic kick drum, the duo managed to "shrink the room," turning the venue into something resembling an intimate pub lock-in with your funniest, most talented mates. It was a 45-minute masterclass in storytelling and self-deprecating charm.
The Main Event: Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts
Ricky Warwick & the Fighting Hearts, Bradford Nightrain (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
As the opening bell rang to the strains of Edwin Starr’s “War,” Warwick and The Fighting Hearts emerged in peak fighting weight. They were six dates deep into a tour that began in Warwick’s native Northern Ireland, and the momentum was visible.
The band is a legitimate rock supergroup. Lead guitarist Ben Christo (The Sisters of Mercy) and bassist Rich Vernon (The Mission) provided a sleek, gothic-tinted edge, while drummer Jack Taylor (Tax the Heat) provided the heavy-hitting artillery. The crowd even paused the hostilities to serenade Taylor with a chorus of “Happy Birthday.”
Wasting no time, they opened with “Rise and Grind,” laying down a groove that was fast, frenetic, and infused with Celtic soul. The dual-guitar interplay served as a constant reminder of Warwick’s Thin Lizzy lineage, blending old-school reverence with a fresh, modern bite.
Ricky Warwick & the Fighting Hearts, Bradford Nightrain (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Ringside Memories: The Bradford Connection
Warwick took time between rounds to acknowledge his deep roots in the city. His history here is intertwined with New Model Army; a fan-turned-collaborator, Warwick spent 1987 and 1988 living in the city while rhythm guitarist for the NMA Ghost of Cain era.
He shared stories of the Westleigh Hotel and nights at the legendary Pickwicks nightclub—a reference that clearly resonated with the crowd (this reviewer included!). It was a poignant reminder that the seeds for The Almighty were actually sown at Leeds Train Station on a cold Christmas Eve in 1987.
The Clean Slate: Five Years Sober
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the night was the sheer stamina on display. Warwick, just two months shy of his 60th birthday, commanded the stage with the energy of a man half his age. He attributed this "peak fitness" to his sobriety—noting he is now five years alcohol-free. With Ben Christo also celebrating the five-year milestone, the night served as a powerful testament to the "teetotal life" (a subject I will be exploring in a future blog).
Ricky Warwick and Ben Christo, Nightrain (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
The Final Round: A Tribute to a Legend
The emotional peak came with a cover of Motörhead’s “Iron Fist,” dedicated to the late Phil Campbell, who sadly passed away last month. Warwick’s tribute to his old friend felt authentic and raw, noting that Phil would likely be "smiling down" on a venue he had graced many times.
The knockout blow was delivered with “Free ‘n’ Easy.” It brought the 90-minute, full-throttle set to a close, leaving the audience breathless.
The Verdict
In a challenging financial climate for independent venues, seeing Wright and Warwick champion the local scene was heartening. While Wright lamented the decline of Bradford’s venues, he rightly noted that places like Nightrain and The Underground (where Wright and Milly return on May 8th) are still carrying the torch for the heavyweights of tomorrow.
The Stats:
Setlist Highlights: Rise and Grind, Jonestown Mind, When Life Was Hard and Fast, Iron Fist.
The Crowd: Fervent, nostalgic, and loud.
The Blow-by-Blow: A masterclass in how to age disgracefully while staying sober, sharp, and incredibly loud.
Seat: Standing, right hand side
Set list:
Intro music: War (Edwin Starr)
Rise and Grind
Play Video
Jonestown Mind (The Almighty song)
Celebrating Sinking
Another State of Grace (Black Star Riders song)
When Life Was Hard and Fast
Three Sides to Every Story
Fire and Vengeance (New song from forthcoming album)
When the Night Comes In (Black Star Riders song)
Do You Understand(The Almighty song)
Angels of Desolation
Don't Leave Me in the Dark
The Crickets Stayed in Clovis
When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang the Blues)
You're My Rock 'n' Roll
Fighting Heart
Kingdom of the Lost (Black Star Riders song)
Finest Hour (Black Star Riders song)
Iron Fist (Motörhead cover)
Free 'n' Easy (The Almighty song)
Outro music: Wild West Hero (Electric Light Orchestra)
