Jara Solís Steps In as Rhea Thompson Continues Recovery 🤘💀
Right then, mun — gather round the amps, because Tailgunner have dropped an important update ahead of the first leg of their Midnight Blitz tour, and it’s one of those band-family-first moments that deserves proper respect ❤️🔥
⚡ Rhea Thompson Taking Time to Heal
For the first leg only of the Midnight Blitz tour, guitarist Rhea Thompson won’t be able to hit the road full-time. Rhea is currently recovering from essential physical health treatment, and while the plan was to be tour-ready this January, her recovery needs a little more time.
The good news? She’s recovering well, spirits are high, and this is a temporary pause — not a disappearance into the metal ether.
🎸 Select UK Dates + Album Week Appearances
Rhea will still appear on select UK dates, where the band can best support her return to the stage. She’ll also attend in-store signing and Q&A sessions during the week following the album release on February 6th. Proper tidy 🖤
The band have confirmed she’ll be back for the rest of the announced Midnight Blitz tour, with many more dates still to come.
🔥 Enter: Jara Solís (HUNGER)
Handling live guitar duties until the end of February is Jara Solís from HUNGER — and she’s already turning heads.
Jara has stepped in for the next two months, and Tailgunner have been blown away by her explosive playing and dedication. This isn’t just covering a shift — it’s a full-throttle showcase of a seriously exciting talent.
🗣️ From the Band
Rhea shared:
“Hi guys, thanks a million for all the love and patience while I get myself back on the mend. While I can’t endure full touring at the moment, I can still play and will be appearing on a number of UK dates. Jara is absolutely ripping on guitar while I’m sidelined, so please give her the loudest welcome and show her some serious love. Miss you all — see you VERY soon!”
Jara added:
“I’m really excited to be joining the band for the first leg of the Midnight Blitz tour through the end of February. I’ll make sure to honour Rhea’s role while she recovers. Can’t wait to hit the road and see everyone across the UK & Europe!”
🤘 The Riff Report Take
This is how you handle a tour curveball properly — honesty, care, and zero ego. Health comes first, talent gets uplifted, and the riffs keep rolling. Massive respect to Tailgunner for looking after their own, and a huge welcome to Jara as she helps take the roof off venues across the UK and Europe this winter 🥁🔥
No waffle, no nonsense — just heavy metal done right.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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