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Introducing ^AVRG™ at the UK Drum Show!

We’re extremely proud to introduce our newest exhibitor: Above Average – ^AVRG™ – a new UK-based independent clothing brand built for those who believe in progress over perfection.
Brand-owner Adam tells us “The brand started from something deeply personal. Like many of you, I was juggling parenthood, full-time work, and a pull toward something more meaningful. I wanted to create something that reflected how I think. So, ^AVRG™ began as a side project grounded in mindset, wellness, and sustainability. But it’s become more than that.
At this year’s show, the focus is on DRMMR – a collection designed specifically for the drumming community. Sleeveless tees and lightweight organic shorts are ideal for high-energy sessions. Premium hoodies, joggers, and long sleeves let you stay comfortable and represent your identity beyond the kit. But this isn’t just about clothing that looks good. It’s about clothing that does good. Every item is made from either organic cotton or certified recycled materials, using ethical, renewable-energy manufacturing processes. Each piece is tagged with a QR code for return and remanufacture – part of the mission to close the loop and fight throwaway culture. In short: everything in every collection is made to be remade.
If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t quite fit the mould… if you’ve ever been underestimated… if you’re working on your craft, your mindset, or just yourself – you’re one of us.”
Join ^AVRG™ in the exhibition hall on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October at ACC Liverpool. Be sure to check out full list of exhibitors joining us at the UK’s biggest drum event of 2025.

Zebra Drums Return To The UK Drum Show 2025

We’re buzzing to welcome Zebra Drums to The UK Drum Show 2025!
Handcrafted in the Netherlands by Sjoerd van den Beuken, these stunning stave-shell drums combine beautiful woods, jaw-dropping finishes and game-changing innovations like their Free-Floating System.

 

Come see (and hear) them in action this October!
Be sure to join us at ACC Liverpool on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October for the UK’s hottest drum weekend…tickets available now: HERE. Check out the full list of exhibitors HERE.

UK Drum Supremo Darby Todd To Open The Main Stage At The Europe Drum Show 2026

We are hugely excited to announce that UK session-supremo Darby Todd has been confirmed to open the main stage at The Europe Drum Show 2026 in association with British Drum Co, Zildjian, Evans Drumheads, Promark Drumsticks, Protection Racket, Porter And Davies, ACS In Ear Monitors & Roland Electronics.

With a huge list of recording and live credits, including Devin Townsend, Jordan Rudess, Martin Barre, Charlie Giffiths, Alfie Boe, The Darkness, Robin Ford, Robert Plant, Carl Verheyen, Kee Marcello and Don Airey, Darby’s playing is as intense as it is varied!

Don’t miss Darby Todd at The Europe Drum Show 2026 on Saturday 11th April at Messe Friedrichshafen. Tickets available now: HERE. Check out all of the main-stage artists: HERE. Check out more news from The Europe Drum Show: HERE

JAMES COMPTON: Catfish and the Bottlemen’s Session Drummer

In this exclusive interview for Drummer’s Review we sit down with James Compton, the session drummer for Catfish and the Bottlemen, to uncover the real story behind the beats that power one of the UK’s most energetic live acts.

From volunteering to now performing at The UK Drum Show, James shares his journey, his love for hearing others’ stories, and how networking and community have shaped his career.

James will be appearing in the Mike Dolbear Masterclass Room at The UK Drum Show 2025 on Sunday 19th October at 3.00pm at ACC Liverpool.

Grab your tickets now: www.theukdrumshow.com

00:00 – Intro

00:25 – The Secret Sauce to the Bands Ongoing Energy

04:05 – From Volunteering at Drum Shows to Performing at The UK Drum Show

06:15 – “I Love Hearing Everyone’s Stories”

08:40 – Getting The Gig With Catfish and the Bottlemen

11:10 – Networking and the Drumming Community

16:21 – Feel vs Technicality

19:17 – Advice For Drummers

23:40 – In 100 Years Time…


James Proudly Plays…

DW Drums

Sabian Cymbals

Wincent Drumsticks

Remo Drumheads

Roland Electronics


For more interviews with some of the biggest names in drumming along with completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released.

You can also follow Drummer’s Review on social media:

Facebook: @DrummersReviewUK

Instagram: @drummersreview

Twitter: @drummersreview


Catch up on all episodes of  The UK Drum Show: The Official Podcast
Hosted by the legend, our Main Stage Host, Ollie Winiberg, we’re sitting down with every drummer performing at the UK Drum Show

BIOGRAPHY:

James has become a widely in-demand drummer working live for a variety of artists.
Playing drums has taken James on tours all over the world, performing on festival mainstages, sold out theatres, arenas and stadiums as well as many primetime, late night TV and radio shows. Some of these shows include; The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Queen Elizabeth’s televised Platinum Jubilee performance, The Graham Norton Show, multiple Radio 1 live lounges and Radio 2 sessions as well as other BBC broadcasts.

James has gained the reputation for being an energetic and diverse player, bringing an electrifying energy to whichever stage he is on. This has enabled him to be placed in a profusion of musical settings. Recently in his career, James has been touring with UK pop-star Mimi Webb, alt-pop singer Baby Queen, Egyptian-American R&B singer Col3trane, singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins and is now currently the touring drummer for the UK indie-rock band Catfish & the Bottlemen.

With a mix of hard-hitting and energetic flair, James incorporates his love of rock music, jazz and hip-hop as well as his experience playing in marching bands in his early life to bring his own unique sound to every stage he plays on around the world.

First Artist Announced For Mike Dolbear Masterclass Room 2026

We’re massively excited to announce that Ralf Gustke is to perform in the Mike Dolbear Masterclass Room at The Europe Drum Show 2026!

Ralf Gustke was born in Heidelberg/Germany. At the age of 10, Ralf was already gaining experience on the snare drum in a marching band. At the age of 16, he got his first drum set and began playing along to music from the American radio station AFN, which at the time featured R&B, funk, rock, jazz and soul music. His love for drums never left him – constantly driven by development, virtuosity and curiosity to play the groove for each style. Drum lessons, participation in drumming competitions, and live performances with various bands in clubs led to his first major tours with Chaka Khan and his band Zebra, as well as with German Rocker Wolf Maahn.
Ralf Gustke is appearing at The Europe Drum Show
Over time, Ralf became a sought-after studio and live drummer. To date, he has contributed to recordings on more than 200 albums. He played with, amongst others, Georg Danzer, Gianna Nannini, Rio Reiser, Six was Nine, Culture Beat, Culture Cross, Sabrina Setlur, Edo Zanki, Glashaus, Moses Pelham, De Phazz, Katie Melua, Schiller, Nena, RZA (Wutang Clan), Tarja, Kevin Coyne, Ünlü, Wirtz, Söhne Mannheims Jazz Department, Uli Brodersen Jazz, Ali Neander Organ Quartet, Söhne Mannheims, Barclay James Harvest, Xavier Naidoo. Stylistically, Ralf moves confidently across many genres and is certainly
one of the most versatile drummers in Germany. In 2017, Ralf released his first solo album, Flying Days, featuring bassist
Claus Fischer, keyboardist Jesse Milliner, and trumpeter Joo Kraus. He has also given regular drum workshops as a solo artist in past and present. Ralf also worked on Philipp Rehm’s Bassbook, Bass Matrix / Alfred Music.
Catch Ralf at The Europe Drum Show in the Mike Dolbear Masterclass Room at 16.30 on Saturday 11th April 2026: More Details
Tickets for Europe’s hottest drum event 2026 available: HERE

DS Drum at The UK Drum Show

We’re thrilled to welcome DS Drum to The UK Drum Show 2025!
Known for their outstanding Italian craftsmanship and innovation, DS Drum brings precision, style and sonic excellence to every kit they build. From boutique shells to custom finishes, their drums deliver a rich, dynamic tone that inspires drummers of all styles.

Make sure to visit their booth to experience their handcrafted range up close and chat with the team behind artistry. Whether you’re after the perfect studio sound or powerhouse live setup, DS Drum will have something that hits the mark.
Be sure to join us at ACC Liverpool on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October for the UK’s hottest drum weekend…tickets available now: HERE. Check out the full list of exhibitors HERE.

ACM Heads To The UK Drum Show 2025

We’re delighted to announce that ACM are heading to The UK Drum Show 2025!
At ACM, drumming isn’t a class — it’s a craft, a calling, and a future you build, one beat at a time. With campuses in Guildford, London and Birmingham, ACM offer Diplomas and Degrees that launch real-world drumming careers, mentored by the pros who live it. At ACM, you don’t just study the drums. You live the drums.
From technique to transcriptions, stagecraft to session skills, ACM go deeper than styles — we shape the drummer you want to become. Their purpose-built drum rooms mirror the evolution of the kit — from vintage acoustics to cutting-edge electronic hybrids — so you can train for every stage, every setup, every sound. And when we say “hybrid,” we mean it.
ACM’s exclusive Hybrid Drums module, created by Joe Clegg and Harry Younger, and backed by Roland, gives you next-gen tools to own your sound. Harry will be at the stand across the weekend to share his approach to performance and production.
What makes ACM different? You do. Their degree path adapts to your journey — with skill modules, live performance, and mentorship that reflects your identity as an artist. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all syllabus. It’s your launchpad, your network, your moment.
Come and meet the team:
Tutors. Alumni. Students. Guest performers. Join us at the ACM stand — or catch us on the main stage. Ask questions, make connections, and feel what it’s like to be part of a place where musicians don’t just dream the future – they make it happen. Make it Happen!
Be sure to join us at ACC Liverpool on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October for the UK’s hottest drum weekend…tickets available now: HERE. Check out the full list of exhibitors HERE.

LUIGI PARAVENTI: Drumming in a Digital World

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Luigi Paraventi, a Brazilian drummer whose social media presence has exploded in recent years — and for good reason. We dive deep into his journey, from becoming a full-time drummer at just 20 years old to the philosophy that keeps him grounded in a world obsessed with metrics.

00:00 – Intro: Meet Brazilian Drum Sensation Luigi Paraventi

00:47 – Going Viral: How Social Media Changed Everything

02:20 – Becoming A Full Time Drummer at 20

04:55 – Why Authenticity Wins

06:57 – The Magic Of The Drumming Community

09:15 – Luigi’s Guilty Pleasure

12:20 – Click Track: Loyal Friend or Joy-Killing Tyrant?


Luigi Proudly Plays…

Pearl Drums

Paiste Cymbals

Evans Drumheads

Promark Drumsticks


For more interviews with some of the biggest names in drumming along with completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released.

You can also follow Drummer’s Review on social media:

Facebook: @DrummersReviewUK

Instagram: @drummersreview

Twitter: @drummersreview


BIOGRAPHY:

Luigi Paraventi (born March 16, 2005 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian drummer, known for his early prominence on the music scene. Luigi started playing drums at the age of 8, encouraged by a family of musicians. Always inspired by artists from Fusion to Metal, Luigi focuses on creating a technical sound, but at the same time light and modern throughout his executions, compositions and interpretations on the instrument. In 2023, at the age of 18, he was chosen to play with guitarist Kiko Loureiro (solo / Megadeth) in shows throughout Brazil, being recognized as a great promise on the music scene. In addition, he performs as a sideman with regional and international artists, studio/recording work, and performs in drum clinics and masterclasses, showing his versatility of styles and personifying his technique.

JASON BOWLD (BFMV): Real Drumming, No Ego

Jason Bowld (Bullet For My Valentine, Pitchshifter, Killing Joke) joins Ollie Winiberg here on Drummer’s Review for a brutally honest chat about life behind the kit with. From adapting to different genres and ditching drum triggers to hilarious Spinal Tap moments and career-defining life lessons, Jason shares wisdom every drummer — and musician — should hear.

00:00 – Welcome To Drummers Review

01:09 – Life On The Road: Tour Life

02:10 – Playing For Different Bands: Adapting on the Fly

03:05 – “I’m Old School”: No Triggers, Just Grit

06:10 – DnB vs Metal: Which Pushes You Harder?

11:40 – Jason’s Biggest Spinal Tap Moment

17:30 – Real Talk: Legacy, Life Lessons & Advice for Drummers


Jason Proudly Plays…

Pearl Drums

Paiste Cymbals


For more interviews with some of the biggest names in drumming along with completely impartial, HD video reviews, please subscribe to Drummer’s Review on YouTube: www.youtube.com/drummersreview and click on the bell icon to be notified as soon as each new video is released.

You can also follow Drummer’s Review on social media:

Facebook: @DrummersReviewUK

Instagram: @drummersreview

Twitter: @drummersreview


BIOGRAPHY:

Jason Bowld is the drummer for Welsh Metal band Bullet for my Valentine – but when did it all start?

Jason started drumming at the age of 13 after becoming inspired by his school friend and progressed onto playing in local bands until 9 years later when he signed his first record deal with Geffen with London based band Stimulator.
After falling victim to corporate shenanigans which resulted in the band being dropped, Jason then joined U.K. Industrial band Pitchshifter and toured globally. Session work followed and bands and artists such as Fightstar, Pop Will Eat Itself, Killing Joke, Ginger Wildheart, Blaze Bailey, C.J. Wildheart and even Metal-loving comedian Bill Bailey have all enjoyed JB’s drumming skills live and on album.

The ability to learn songs quickly was practiced well and put to great effect when he was asked to ‘stand-in’ for Bullet For My Valentine on the eve of their first U.K. arena tour in 2010. After striking up a friendship with Bullet singer Matt Tuck, the duo co-wrote the debut album ‘Vultures’ for a brutal, Metal side-project entitled Axewound which also featured members of Cancer Bats and Rise to Remain.

In between touring Jase composes music for various music libraries covering different genres of music for TV usage.

Some of this music has evolved into ‘sync’ side projects such as Hidora – a cinematic, trip-hop outfit with multiple vocalists,  co-written with long term friend Jim Davies. And Shadow Addict – an Electro-Metal project also featuring Davies, Bullet bassist Jamie Mathias and Nick Kingsley.

Jason has also contributed to software company Toontrack’s drum sample library in the release ‘Made of Metal’. The product has since proved a huge success and was recorded and mixed under the watchful eye of Bullet for my Valentine producer Carl Bown and Slipknot producer Colin Richardson.

He has also contributed to a drum sample library and loops to Drumdrops.

On the drum clinic front, Jason has great experience playing and teaching at most of the main drum festivals from Drumfest, Drummer live to Frankfurt Musicmesse and UDE.

His passion for education is further backed up by his tuition column in Rhythm magazine (R.I.P.) and contributions for the latest Rockschool syllabus of which he has written and performed tracks for.

Tandem Drums Join The Europe Drum Show Exhibitor List For 2026!

Smart, simple and seriously effective – we’re excited to welcome Tandem Drums to The Europe Drum Show 2026!
Creators of the innovative Drops, Tandem offers a clean alternative to gels and tape – giving drummers precise control over tone and sustain, without the mess.
Come check them out at The Europe Drum Show 2026…tickets available: HERE