Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard, Friday, December 19, 2025.
BIZARRELY having lived in Carlisle between 2012 and 2019, as well as 2023 until the present day, my first introduction to the band that is Hardwicke Circus was at a performance at Carlisle Cathedral earlier this year.
Having said that I was suitably impressed with their rich mix of musical influences which was well received by the audience on the night.
It is the first time that I have met a band named after a roundabout in the city or, as the band would have us believe, they had the roundabout named after them.
Antics at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Antics at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Antics at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Antics at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan. 
Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard in Carlisle. Source: Ian Duncan.
That was before the guys were about to head out on their second tour of Ukraine, where they delivered an emergency vehicle as well as other adventures on the road in a war zone, but Friday’s gig marked a return to their homeland for a regular festive Christmas party at The Brickyard.
Support for the night was from Wigton-based band Antics who describe their sound as ‘post indie’ and it would fair to say they were well received by an appreciative audience.
Having said that when Hardwicke Circus took to the stage they were greeted by rapturous applause but what would you expect when the boys are back in town?
It was a reunion of sorts because it was the original line up and I was surprised that there were two keyboard players. In addition, I was impressed by an extended instrumental intro to one of their songs was needed, because they needed to change an amp that was failing, before continuing once it was fixed.
Highlights included Let’s Make New Mistakes, Endless Night and Night Train To London, which had echoes of the Madness track Night Boat To Cairo, and even the sax player ventured out into the crowd.
There were quite a few catchy singalong songs which the crowd were encouraged to chant along to and there were a few cover songs during the encore.
They kicked off with Back of My Hand, which was originally done by The Jags before moving onto Gloria, which was originally covered by Patti Smith but originally recorded by Them, and there was a further nod to Van ‘the man’ Morrison when they weaved in a bit of Baby Please Don’t Go into the track.
They even dragged a former band mate, Freddie Lea in his Santa hat, on stage during Gloria to add his vocals before launching into their version of Whiskey In The Jar which as you know is a traditional Irish folk song popularised by both Thin Lizzy and Metallica.
On the whole the performance was well received and I am sure it set up everyone for the festive period.
Speaking after the gig lead vocalist Jonny Foster said: “It was pretty spectacular. We’ve done this gig for many years now, and every year it feels like a brand new gig.
“The energy feels new, and there are good vibrations amongst everybody, and in the crowd, and in the band, and yeah, it feels special.”He said the recent tour of Ukraine was amazing and added: “We love Ukraine. We want to go back to Ukraine and more bands should go. I am amazed that more bands haven’t said that they want to go to Ukraine.”
Ian Duncan Media 