Going Wild at The Carlisle
JOEL CHESHIRE
The Carlisle played host to a lively charity fundraising gig on the evening of 17 January, showcasing five local bands in a celebration of grassroots rock in Hastings. The event raised funds for the Aspinall Foundation, with donations collected throughout the night in support of wildlife conservation.
Performances from The Tellums, Simon Oakley & The Witching Hounds, First Form, Tin Whiskey, and Strenuous kept the energy high, delivering a soundtrack that was fittingly loud and heavy. True to The Carlisle’s reputation, the night was a powerful display of local talent brought together for a good cause.
Simon Oakley & The Witching Hounds offered up a slacker, bluesy sound with their three-piece outfit. The band has built a growing reputation on the local and wider rock scene, earning a 3rd place finish in the 2025 Radio Wigwam Awards (Classic, Rock & Blues category) and releasing original work including the album In Times of Mass Delusion and the Standing Outside, and they played a few numbers from this album on the night. There were pulsing basslines and gritty guitar riffs that made you feel as if you were driving through the desert.
First Form followed with a rush of youthful exuberance, channelling their 90s pop punk-inspired sound. After winning The Carlisle’s Battle of the Bands in 2024, they were no strangers to the stage, and their enthusiasm was palpable in the punchy and honest rhythms, including the new song Waking up to Yesterday’s Problems. Their vigorous stage presence drew the local crowd closer to the front as the set went on.
Strenuous overcame early feedback and sound issues to deliver a raw and aggressive performance that was certainly the heaviest of the night. Their cover of Motorhead’s Ace of Spades shaped the metal tone as a cardboard cutout of Lemmy lingered adjacent to the stage. The four-piece had the indisputable assurance of a seasoned metal band that lent a thunderous intensity to their set.
The Aspinall Foundation is an internationally recognised conservation initiative dedicated to protecting endangered wildlife and returning animals to the wild wherever possible. Based at Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks in Kent, the project focuses on breeding rare species, supporting overseas conservation programmes, and working with local communities to safeguard natural habitats. Through education, rewilding efforts and hands-on conservation work, the Aspinall Project plays a significant role in raising awareness of wildlife protection, while also contributing to environmental learning and tourism across the South East.
A spokesperson for the pub said: “The Carlisle is a huge animal-loving pub, thank you all for joining us this evening for such an amazing cause that we whole-heartedly proud to support here.”
Donating money to the Aspinall Foundation helps support a range of practical conservation outcomes. Contributions fund the care and breeding of endangered animals at Howletts and Port Lympne, ensuring high standards of welfare. Donations also support rewilding projects, where animals are rehabilitated and returned to protected habitats in countries such as those in Africa and Asia.
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