Maltese hardcore trio BILA are making the trip to London this July, joining the lineup for the Bear Bites Horse free summer all-dayer at Strongrooms on July 4th.
The bill features Believe in Nothing, Black Shape, The Eurosuite, Ritual Error, and two more acts still to be announced. Doors are at 3pm, it runs until 11pm, and it's completely free — tickets available via Dice.
The Bear Bites Horse Connection
This isn't a random booking. BILA's debut album *BEŻŻALART*, released in December 2025 on Go Down Records and Kewn Records, was produced and recorded by Wayne Adams at Temple Studios in Malta, then mixed and mastered by Adams at Bear Bites Horse Recording Studio in London. So when Bear Bites Horse puts on a summer all-dayer, having BILA on the bill makes complete sense — they're part of the family.
Who Are BILA?
If you haven't caught BILA yet, here's the short version: they're a three-piece from Malta — Nick Morales, Samwel Mallia, and Benji Cachia — playing caustic hardcore and noise punk that hits like a wall. Their sound is characterised by high-octane, socially and humour-charged bursts of energy delivered in visceral, ragey, bilingual form — switching between Maltese and English, often in the same song.
Their lyrics take aim at real estate overdevelopment, neoliberal government policies, and the absurdities of life on a small island, all filtered through Maltese folklore and a sense of humour that stops it from ever feeling like a lecture. It's heavy, it's loud, and it's distinctly Maltese in a way that translates anywhere.
*BEŻŻALART* is an 11-track run through angular grooves, heavy riffage, and relentless energy. Tracks like *A Thousand Wolves*, *Ħabbagozz*, and *Boltera* show a band that knows exactly what it's doing — tight, aggressive, and impossible to ignore. The album also follows earlier releases *Deheb Inċens u Bila*, *Bestjarju*, and *Do What I Want*, each one building on the last.
Why This Matters
Maltese bands playing shows abroad is always worth paying attention to. The island's alternative scene has always punched above its weight, but opportunities to play outside Malta are limited. When a band like BILA gets booked for a London all-dayer — especially one connected to the studio that helped shape their sound — it's a sign that the work is getting noticed beyond the island.
Strongrooms in London is a solid venue with a real history, and Bear Bites Horse has a reputation for championing heavy, uncompromising music. BILA fit right in.
The Details
- What: Bear Bites Horse Free Summer All-Dayer
- Where: Strongrooms, London
- When: July 4th, 2026 — 3pm to 11pm
- Price: Free entry
- Tickets: Available via Dice
- Lineup: Believe in Nothing, Black Shape, The Eurosuite, BILA, Ritual Error + two more TBA
If you're in London, go. If you're in Malta, keep an eye on BILA — they're doing the thing.
*Trackage Scheme is Malta's platform for alternative music. We connect artists, fans, and the people who make the scene happen.*