Nomadia reunion catches the eye as Riffmas returns
The winter rock festival will be moving to the Lerwick Legion and will take place over two nights in early December
SHETLAND’s winter rock festival is nearing a return – and organisers say it is a “Christmas miracle” that they managed to encourage a much-missed band to reunite for the event.
Local instrumental rock outfit Nomadia, who have not performed live since 2017, will play the second of two nights of Riffmas.
The festival, now in its fourth year, has also moved its focus to original music – and it has also shifted geographically too, from Gulberwick to Lerwick.
Callum Anderson, who is one of the organisers, said the event – which is taking place at the Lerwick Legion on 4 and 5 December – has a “fantastic and unique line-up”.
The bill for the Friday features Black 8s, The Fiction, Stone Oak Prophecy, Böd Rats and Torn Tees.
On the Saturday Nomadia will be joined by headliner Ten Tonne Dozer, Beasthead, Essykert, No Half and Razor Heat.
“Now focusing fully on original bands with the exception of opening acts who are often younger or getting their first gig, I am stoked to have such a solid showcase of rock and roll creativity on the bill,” Anderson said.
“Some bands didn’t even have full original sets when we asked them to play but they were up for the challenge of getting a full original set together in time for Riffmas, which is really awesome.”
The jewel in the crown is perhaps the unexpected return of Nomadia, whose innovative brand of instrumental rock and metal conjured up a cult following in the 2010s.
Anderson described having the group make a comeback at Riffmas as a “pipedream”.
“We thought we might as well ask, so we reached out to Nomadia guitarist Patrick [Mainland] earlier this year and got the ball rolling,” he said.
“The guys were up for it and now we are super excited to have them on the Saturday night. A Christmas miracle!
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“We are not the only ones excited to see them on the bill – the response has been fantastic from the local scene.
“Tickets are flying so if you’re planning on coming don’t miss out and get yours now.”
It appears a reunion was never part of Nomadia’s plan – until Riffmas got in touch.
Bassist Norman Willmore said it was “so exciting to do it – not only to play together again, but it’s like friends reunited”.
“We’ve been practising in Wethersta where we used to practise 15 years ago, and nothing’s changed – it’s great.”
The group, who also feature Brydone Williamson on guitar and drummer Lewis Murray, released their EP Terra Firma in 2013.
Their final gig was at the Heavy Metal Buffet in 2017 – ironically on the same stage where they will be making their comeback.
At that point three quarters of the band headed away, but at the moment it is only Mainland – who will be coming up for rehearsals a few days prior to Riffmas – who remains south.
Nomadia will be playing a mix of Terra Firma plus other material which was designated for a mythical full album which never got released.
Willmore, however, said the band is in the process of seeing if the quartet can release that record at some stage.
But for now, all eyes are on the Riffmas comeback. “Seeing everyone’s reaction when we got asked…everybody was like ‘yeah, of course we want to do it’, Willmore said.
“It’ll be great fun.”
Elsewhere at Riffmas Torn Tees will be making their debut – a band described as playing a “mix of rock and pop tunes from the 70s right through to modern-day classics”.
Böd Rats – who feature Isaac Webb, Gary Smith and Jono Sandilands – will be playing only their second gig after making their debut the Sleepless Circus event in October.
The group will be releasing their debut single Pop Off the Tops just a few days beforehand on 1 December.
Thrash metal outfit Beasthead will also be returning to stage at Riffmas after making a long-awaited comeback at Rising North in August following a break of 10-plus years.
Tickets for Riffmas, for ages 16+, are available online.
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