Summer Bash 2026: An Introduction to Vanitas!

Have you heard that Mercury’s Well are hosting a party and that you’re all invited? No?! OMG! Alright well… Summer Bash is taking place at the Facebar in Reading on Saturday 18th July this year. The annual Hawaiian themed beach party will see no less than 10 bands taking to the stage to offer everything from Post-Hardcore to Progressive Death Metal, served up with cocktails from the bar, inflatable palm trees and flower necklaces. So what are you waiting for? Invite a friend, a lover, your mother, your sister and your brother. Not only can you enjoy moshing, headbanging and singing a long but you can also challenge them to wear theme suitable attire. You never know, you might even be introduced to your next favourite band!

Here’s the line up in full:

Vanitas (headliner)
a-tota-so
Mercury’s Well
Masquerader
Monovoid
Maxwelltheband
Bobby Mandala’s Midnight Elite
Halloran
In Maluum
Pain Itself

Who could possibly headline an event like Summer Bash? As Mercury’s Well want to enjoy their party after they step of the stage, this year that honour is given to Midlands based Cinematic DJent pioneers Vanitas. A quintet who adore JRPG soundtracks and Progressive Metal with a tasteful sprinkling of aggression while not being afraid to go in deep with their lyrical narratives, they’ve been not only making waves but surfing on them too. Having built their reputation in the live arena by travelling the length and breadth of England’s green and pleasant land, they’ve shared stages with everyone from Recall The Remains to Warlock A.D. and will also be playing the EMP stage at this years Bloodstock Open Air Festival.

Setting the wheels in motion in 2021 they released their debut self titled EP in June 2022, forging a partnership with Dakesis multi-instrumentalist Matt Jones at CapsArx Studios to provide orchestral programming to embellish their sound. That partnership is one that has stood the test of time as he continues to be the bands secret weapon, working behind the scenes to give the band an edge as Rhys Fulber did with Fear Factory back in the day. A waterfall release strategy eventually led to the arrival of sophomore EP “Chaos Theory” in August 2024, an evolution meaning that vocalist Jade Maris added unclean vocals to her range for the first time. The trilogy was completed with EP “Journey to the Sun” just twelve months later, a sold out record release show at The Flapper in Birmingham seeing arcade machines in the venue because they love video games.

As creators Vanitas have been nothing short of prolific while refusing to cut any corners or take any shortcuts, pouring their time into making music videos that are as imaginative and captivating as their songs. “Solaire” has 115k of YouTube streams alone, while other videos have seen them build on lyrical narratives and feature Horses, Knights and Assassins running amuck. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ve done a wealth of tour vlogs, behind the scenes featurettes and one off covers including works from SiM and Elena Siegman. Don’t sleep on the opportunity to witness Vanitas at Summer Bash because having witnessed them at last years incarnation of Slammer Festival at Manchester Rebellion, we can honestly say that they’ve earned everything they have been given because they’re seriously impressive.

We’re proud confirm that Metal Noise dot Net is returning for a fourth consecutive year as the Media Partner for Summer Bash! Mercury’s Well will be hosting the eighth incarnation of their annual Hawaiian beach party themed event on 18th July 2026 at The Facebar in Reading!

Fancy a ticket? You can get yours -> here