The Temple Of Prog II Festival

The Brickyard, Carlisle
Saturday, 21st February 2026

Formerly known as The Richmond Hall, the venue itself is over one hundred years old, has been a key figure in the Carlisle music scene for many years and was built as Saint Mary’s Parish Rooms.

After a long absence, the Richmond Hall was renovated and its doors opened on New Year’s Eve 2002 to the new name of The Brickyard. With a 320 capacity it is a small and intimate venue with great acoustics.

Outside it was a typical rainy and wintry day but with Kitty Biscuits from EBB on the door welcoming attendees, a mind-bending cosmic experience awaited inside.

IDIOGRAM

The day kicked off with Idiogram, a young four‑piece from East Lothian, Scotland, chilling out the audience with their instrumental soundscapes. The opener Hyperaccumulator almost sounded like a Floyd track before the first note is heard. With spoken word samples, slowly building to a swirling complex mix of their instruments, melding seamlessly into the second track, Twilight Sleep, featuring some splendid guitar work, soft and insistent.

As the band launched into Bevel, they again employed backing tracks of Birdsong interspersed with guitar and bass. This really was a fabulous introduction to the day’s events, and I would urge Prog followers to support this band by seeking out their new CD. The final song Chromosphere / Tidal Disruption was proggy then jazzy featuring a lot more use of keyboards. I can’t wait to see this band again on the circuit.

DORIS BRENDEL & LEE DUNHAM

Next up was Doris Brendel and her steampunk clad sidekick Lee Dunham with his effortless prowess on acoustic guitar. Always engaging, with a wry sense of fun, the songs are flawlessly constructed encouraging the audience to participate. Doris has a wonderful smoky vocal delivery with a great range veering from folk to blues. The set begins with It Can Only Get Better. Some great finger picking from Lee and then we are quickly into 20 Years where the mood changes into a more funky and bluesy sound.

You’re Bugging Me and Drawing the Line continues this groove and then the fun starts with a ‘Truth or Bollox’ challenge to the audience about the stories surrounding the writing of the song. The 40-minute set is packed with songs, and the next Latest Fantasy has a Celtic vibe to it. Doris reminds us that as well as Prog they have a blues album out, that was nominated for a UK Blues award, which is showcased by Never Too Late.

Quickly back to the Prog universe with the cosmic story telling of Blue Egg and then Takes One to Know One is almost folky again. This duo can switch effortlessly between genres and never fail to entertain.

SPRIGGAN MIST

Festival favourites Spriggan Mist are next on the bill bringing their own sense of pagan theatre and tonight play songs from their new album The Glare as well as favourites. It’s a pared down set today but the band are exceptionally tight. There is gonna be foot stomping, clapping, dragons and Celtic fairy myths and despite the small stage bassist Baz Cilia still manages one of his trademark martial arts kicks.

Make no mistake this is Prog in all its unapologetic glory with the band appearing with their backs to the audience draped in hooded capes to the Gaze of The Dragon / Gregorian Ode to Isambard / Isambard the Mechanical Dragon.

We then settle into the set with Faerywood featuring the melodic vocals of Fay Brotherhood as she cavorts across the stage. This is one of the bands very best performances. Next is the beautiful Pieces of Glass which along with next song When Stars Collide features the multi-talented Maxine Cilia. Does anyone know if there is an instrument she cannot play? The saxophone solo in Stars is sublime.

Ianatores Teresttres is full of pomp and grandeur and a fitting end to a blistering set. The melodic guitar refrains of Neil Wighton are breathtaking, and the beautiful soloing would not be out of place on Mike Oldfield’s Incantations album. If Spriggan Mist are not on the bill, then it simply isn’t a Prog Festival. All hail the Mist!

EBB

Festival organiser EBB are next and the set really is a theatrical tour de force. They confuse and dazzle as they take to the stage playing each other’s instruments! What is going on? Kitty Biscuits has bassist Bad Dog’s bass and is laying down a slinky groove while lead guitarist/vocalist Erin is smashing the skins with Bad Dog himself soloing away on lead, what show-offs, what genius.

All the songs are fabulous in their complexity and construction, but I must mention Reason which showcases the emotional depth of Erin’s songwriting, haunting and deeply emotional vocals with wild soloing on lead guitar. I was literally close to tears. I can’t really convey the wildness of Day 19 its one of those songs that have to be experienced live. This band should be massive and it’s one of those moments when in the future you can say “I was there”.

Cuckoo/ Stars sees Kitty stalking across the stage to be pursued into the crowd by the Cosmic Jester. As she settles and squirms on a member of the audience knee you can see his expression of stark terror. This is after leaping around with a sword and shield and dousing the front row with Bubble guns!

The set ends with Geneva, a song steeped in melody that builds to a crescendo leaving the audience emotionally rung out. After this performance I have a primal need to see EBB again, and as soon as possible.

SOLSTICE

Finally, it’s time for the headliner Solstice. The band are here to please and go straight into tracks from their classic New Life album. Morning Light showcases the harmonies of the three ladies, Jess, Dayne and Leoni, uplifting the song to something rather special. This is followed by New Life and Guardian, bringing the audience on their feet. However, the essence of Prog is new material, and the band launch into Frippa from the latest studio album Clann. It’s not out of place and features the prowess of Stephen’s piano playing along with the haunting strings of Jenny’s violin.

Solstice have always managed to confound those who would pigeonhole their music. Plunk and Wongle No 9 seem to range from freeform jazz to reggae and even soul. It’s a masterclass by musicians who have honed their craft. However, a surprise awaits as the band take on Your Move by Yes which becomes Sacred Run and our time at Temple of Prog has come to an end.

SETLIST
Morning Light
New Life
Guardian
Frippa
Plunk
Wongle No 9
Mount Epharim
A New Day
Your Move
Sacred Run

MUSICIANS
Andy Glass – Guitars, Vocals
Pete Hemsley – Drums
Jenny Newman – Violin, Backing Vocals
Steven McDaniel – Keyboards, Vocals
Robin Phillips – Bass
Jess Holland – Lead Vocals
Leoni Jane Kennedy – Vocals
Dyane Crutcher – Vocals

LINKS
Solstice – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube

[We are only able to include a fraction of the photos taken by Chris Simmons at The Temple Of Prog II. If any of the bands would like high-resolution (high-res) images you can get in touch with Chris: HERE]

It was all too quick which is always the sign of a great gig. Maybe next year it could be a 2-day event to give us time to catch our breath?

TPA would like to thank EBB and all The Temple of Prog team for their warm friendship, generous hospitality and for a fantastic event. The date is already in the diary for next year 😉

LINKS
The Temple of Prog – Website | Facebook | X | Instagram

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