On Wednesday September 24, iconic venue Exeter Cavern is hosting Die Twice and Villanelle, with support from HALFCUT and The PHD. Die Twice are local legends of the Exeter music scene and Villanelle are an up-and-coming band from London who have just released their debut single. Click here for tickets.
HALFCUT are Campus Bands veterans, and I’ve known Lucas (vocals, guitar) and Ollie (drums) for two years now. A recent lineup change sees Gil Westley (bass in Parasitic Mind, King Louis, Exeter Uni Jazz Orchestra) as their new lead guitarist and Will Read (Sid Plus One, Atlas) as their new bassist. I sat down with Lucas, Ollie, and Gil to discuss the upcoming gig.
When asked what Cavern means to them as a venue, Ollie called it “the DIY venue in Exeter,” and said that for local bands, “it’s really the place to play.” Lucas said “it’s everyone’s first “big stage”” in Exeter. HALFCUT’s first Cavern gig was in 2024, when they supported Gil’s band, Parasitic Mind. Gil emphasized the history of the venue, citing how big artists like Muse got started there. Lucas also said the crowd at Cavern is usually very energetic.
In my last interview with HALFCUT, we discussed their fervent rivalry with Sid Plus One. As HALFCUT are “the last ones standing,” Ollie declared them the winners of this infamous competition. They’re friendlier with Die Twice, the “local legends who are incredible live.” Lucas said every time they’ve watched them, they’ve been impressed, and HALFCUT are very happy to be supporting them.
When they got the news they were also supporting Villanelle, they all jumped up and down and held hands. Gil, former economics student, said: “I texted Lucas about a month ago asking if it’s one hundred percent confirmed because it’s quite literally the only thing I have to look forward to in my current state of unemployment.”
[This gig] is quite literally the only thing I have to look forward to in my current state of unemployment.
This will be HALFCUT’s first gig with their new lineup, and they’re hoping to cement the new sound they’ve been working towards. Ollie called this “an evolution, not a change,” and Lucas said, “that’s the same thing.” As full of energy as ever, look out for HALFCUT on the Cavern stage next Wednesday!
The PHD won Battle of the Bands 2025, and quickly gained a reputation as an exciting new band on the scene. They’ve got Dylan Hough on vocals and guitar, Persephone Holloway on drums, and Hazel Goddard on bass.
Their first Cavern gig incidentally was Battle of the Bands, and so according to Hazel the band quite likes it. Dylan, originally from Exeter, called it “the coolest venue” in the city, and also says Saturday Indie Nights are amazing. Persephone said, “there’s nice history there” as well.
The PHD are good friends with HALFCUT and have played with them a few times before in Exeter. Dylan and Hazel even did their coursework with them. As an Exeter local, Dylan is very familiar with Die Twice, and even remembers seeing them when they were just starting out. Seeing them live is going to be great for The PHD, especially after all of Die Twice’s recent touring. Persephone also said, “it’s inspiring to play with a band who started off in a similar position, and to see how far they’ve come.”
It’s inspiring to play with a band [Die Twice] who started off in a similar position, and to see how far they’ve come.
As well as this gig, The PHD have lots in the works. They’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio on campus, Kay House, with Dylan impressively teaching himself how to master and produce their music. They also recently expanded beyond Exeter, playing The Star in Shoreditch, East London. Hazel said the gig was amazing, and Persephone said it was really nice to see all their families and friends supporting them. Her old drum teacher even came and was very proud to see what she’s up to!
I asked how it felt returning to Exeter and getting back into the music scene with this gig, and Dylan didn’t think they “ever really got out of it.” They’ve been planning a lot of different things, and “it’s great that one of the first big events at uni this year is The PHD doing something with HALFCUT.” Persephone said they’ve got a lot more direction now than when they were just starting out. Hazel’s excited to put their plans into action: “Live, we can show up and entertain people. But with building that audience later on, we need to have something out for them to consistently come.” Keep an eye out for their music!
Get yourself down to the Exeter Cavern on Wednesday night, September 24, to see some of our finest student bands in top form! Buy tickets here.
