Home MusicGig Reviews 10 Years Strong: As December Falls Deliver a Powerful Acoustic Gig at Saltbox for Their Anniversary Celebration

10 Years Strong: As December Falls Deliver a Powerful Acoustic Gig at Saltbox for Their Anniversary Celebration

by Jonathan Currinn
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The December air crashed into the city of Nottingham, carrying with it fans from across the county—and even the continent—to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of As December Falls. This special, exclusive acoustic show was more than just a gift to their devoted Faller family fanbase; it was a heartfelt tribute to a decade of music, connection, and growth. Held at the intimate Saltbox venue, the night promised a unique reimagining of their beloved tracks, showcasing the band’s versatility and their unwavering bond with their fans.

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Celebrating their 10-year journey, As December Falls have grown from their humble beginnings in Nottingham to becoming a cornerstone of the UK’s independent music scene. Over the past decade, the band—featuring Bethany Hunter on vocals, Ande Hunter on lead guitar, Timmy Francis on bass, and KC on drums—have cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase, affectionately known as the “Faller family”, through their hard work, DIY ethos, and captivating live performances. In 2023, they went on to win Best UK Breakthrough Artist at the Heavy Music Awards. They’re gearing up to release a new album in 2025, with their latest single, “Angry Cry“, acting as the first single from said LP.

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They’ve self-released a string of singles, music videos, EPs, and albums, showcasing their dynamic sound and deeply personal lyrics. Their third album, “Join the Club”, released in 2023, cemented their place as one of the most exciting independent acts in the UK, debuting at Number 11 on the UK Official Albums Chart. It also hit Number 5 on the Scottish Albums Chart and topped the UK Album Downloads Chart, the UK Rock & Metal Chart, and the UK Independent Album Chart. With such milestones under their belt, this acoustic anniversary show became a celebration of their success, giving fans a unique opportunity to connect with the band’s music on a deeply personal level.

Chilling Out at Saltbox with As December Falls

Walking into Saltbox, rows of chairs filled the venue, packed with eager fans whose lively chatter created an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation for the four-piece band’s performance. Bethany Hunter, Ande Hunter, Timmy Francis, and KC mingled casually with friends, fans, and family, their relaxed interactions adding to the laid-back vibe of the evening.

The dimmed lighting heightened the sense of anticipation, and the staging immediately drew attention with its unexpected setup—chairs were arranged onstage, signalling that the acoustic performance would be uniquely intimate. The band’s decision to remain seated during the set was a rare choice for a rock act. Bethany Hunter candidly addressed the challenge after the first song, admitting she hadn’t anticipated how difficult singing, while seated, could be. It’s easy to imagine that performing seated requires vocalists to adjust their breathing techniques and vocal delivery, which explains why ’90s pop boy bands always had a key change when they stood up from their seats.

Stripped-Back Sound: As December Falls Acoustic Set

Taking to the stage at 8:30 pm, As December Falls brought incredible acoustic stage presence and unleashed invigorating vibes, from the get-go. All four members of the band gave it their all, in a relaxed and chilled-out way. It’s rare for a rock act to strip their songs back into an acoustic version and still make a huge impact, yet As December Falls are the exception, managing to showcase versatility, breadth, and pure rock energy.

Jokingly referring to the acoustic show as their own version of an Eras tour, As December Falls delved into their past music releases starting from 2014, where it all began for them (apart from KC who joined the group as drummer two years ago), right up to their latest release, “Angry Cry“.

Fans were also treated to an exclusive performance of their upcoming single, set for release next month, along with some tantalising details about their forthcoming album, including the title. However, this almost didn’t happen, as Ande Hunter repeatedly warned the others, “No leaks”. Only after some good-natured persuasion from the rest of the band did Ande allow them to share carefully controlled glimpses into what’s to come.

We have to commend Bethany Hunter on her vocals, effortlessly bringing power and strength to every single track, whilst also impressing with her vocal delivery and runs. Her voice is completely next level, sending chills through the audience as the band’s acoustic energy and emotional intensity unfolded. Together, the four-piece created an atmosphere that invited everyone to live in the moment, immersed in each note.

This intimate show is one that will linger in the audience’s minds for years to come. Unforgettable in every way, As December Falls continues to make massive waves in the independent music scene. Ten years after their launch, they’re poised to soar even higher, with ambitions of being billed on main stages at festivals, following this year’s main-stage billing of Slamdunk. The band have also set their sights on Taylor Swift, as their album “Join the Club” proved its impact by charting at Number 11 on the UK Official Albums Chart, earlier this year—just tens of sales behind Swift, who dominated that week with three albums inside the Top 10.

Fans at the Heart of the Night: The Faller Family Engagement

Bethany Hunter’s charismatic energy shone throughout the performance as she encouraged the audience to sing along, creating unforgettable moments. Tracks like “No Money” saw the room erupt with passionate chants and harmonies, elevating the song to new heights. The shared energy between the band and the crowd made every note and lyric feel truly special as if the audience were just as much a part of the performance as the band themselves.

@goodstarvibes

One of our favourite songs from their self-titled album, “No Money” was incredible with the acoustic set and the crowd chants! We’re reminiscing on @As December Falls’ awesome 10-year anniversary acoustic show at Saltbox, Nottingham last Sunday as we write up our gig review – make sure you check out our website for the full gig review article (coming soon) #asdecemberfalls #nomoney #nomoneysong #acoustic #acousticshow #acousticmusic #acousticsong #acousticperformance #asdecemberfallsband

♬ original sound – Good Star Vibes

Between songs, Bethany Hunter kept the atmosphere light and personal, chatting candidly with the audience about the stories behind their music. One memorable moment came when she revealed that “Honey” was inspired by her friend Holly. Ande Hunter chimed in with a humorous anecdote about the deluxe version of “Join the Club”, where Bethany accidentally sings “Holly” instead of “Honey” in the acoustic version of the track. Laughing it off, Bethany revealed that her friend’s name slipped through in the very final lyric—an accidental but charming moment for fans to catch when they listen closely later.

To close the night, the band hosted an intimate Q&A session, following it up with a DJ set from the band. During the Q&A, the band answered a variety of questions, covering topics ranging from performing on the main stage at Slamdunk Festival and their set at Download Festival, to significant milestones in their career, like charting at Number 11 on the UK Official Albums Chart. They also shared their firm stance on staying independent, emphasising their belief that artists can thrive without record labels, with their success serving as a testament to their DIY ethos.

An Unforgettable Evening with As December Falls

As December Falls’ acoustic show was a masterclass in intimate performance, emotional depth, and musical versatility. The relaxed setting gave the band a chance to strip back their songs, showcasing their growth from their early releases to their latest tracks, while staying true to the powerful rock energy they are known for.

From the audience’s involvement in tracks like “No Money” to the heartfelt stories shared between songs, the evening offered a glimpse into the band’s creative journey. Bethany Hunter’s powerful vocals and the seamless chemistry of the four-piece left a lasting impression, making this show one that will stay with the audience for years to come. With their unwavering commitment to independence and a growing fanbase, As December Falls are clearly on a trajectory to even greater success—one that fans are excited to follow as they continue to make waves in the music world.

Catch As December Falls on Tour in 2025!

The band are set to tour Australia in February 2025 on a three-date headline tour before returning to the UK in March for a seven-date tour supporting RØRY. Tickets for all dates are available to buy right now via their official website, Ticketmaster, See Tickets, and other ticket seller sites.

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As December Falls Tour Dates:

2025 Headline Dates:

  • February 14 – Stay Gold, Brunswick, Australia
  • February 15 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney, Australia
  • February 16 – The Brightside Brisbane, Fortitude Valley, Australia

2025 Dates (support for RØRY):

  • March 3 – O2 Institute, Birmingham, UK
  • March 4 – Tramshed, Cardiff, UK
  • March 6 – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK
  • March 7 – UEA LCR, Norwich, UK
  • March 9 – Rock City, Nottingham, UK
  • March 10 – O2 Ritz, Manchester, UK
  • March 13 – Leeds University Stylus, Leeds, UK
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Share this article and tag us @GoodStarVibes to let us know if you were at As December Falls’ 10-Year Anniversary Acoustic Show and what you made of the four-piece band’s performance.

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