Nothing More and Papa Roach
O2 Academy Birmingham // Birmingham, England // 29 April, 2019
Photos and review by Sophie Jones
After confusion with rumours of door times changing and not knowing when the bands were due to take the stage, I arrived at Birmingham’s O2 Academy an hour and a half early before anyone was due on, like many others.
Once inside, it wasn’t long before the lights went down and there was an almighty boom blasted from the speakers which made everyone jump as it was so unexpected; in the darkness you could see a silhouette of Jonny Hawkins climbing up a ladder and sounding off an air siren whilst the rest of the band joined the stage below before opening up with “Let ‘Em Burn”.
Nothing More are musically and visually amazing to watch and are always full of energy; they ploughed through popular tracks “Christ Copyright,” “Jenny” and “This Is The Time (Ballast)” before Jonny launched himself up into the air, above the crowd on top of the “Scorpion” which is a hydraulic drum kit to perform a cover of Queen’s “ We Will Rock You” that had a slight dub step / Skrillex essence to it which helped bring their set to an end.
For years, I’ve followed Nothing More and watched them play smaller venues across the U.K. and always personally thought they deserved to be playing larger stages like they do in many other countries so finally getting to witness this happen and watch them absolutely smash it; I don’t think it will be long before this is a regular thing for them when they hit U.K. shores.
Nothing More Setlist:
Let ‘Em Burn
Christ Copyright
Don’t Stop
Go To War
Do You Really Want It?
Fadein/Fadeout
Jenny
Ocean Floor
This Is The Time (Ballast)
We Will Rock You (Queen Cover)
Up next were Papa Roach and their Birmingham show marked the final date of their U.K. tour. They started their set with the most iconic words that made the room erupt, “Cut my life into pieces, this is my last resort” which then just set the standard of energy for the evening.
After ploughing through hit tracks across their 10 albums, Papa Roach left the stage only to be called back for their encore. The room went into darkness before red lights lit up the venue as frontman Jacoby stepped out and said “This one’s for Keith Flint” and dived right into a cover of The Prodigy’s “Fire Starter” which amped up the energy a little bit more and caused a giant sing-along. They ended the night with “Born For Greatness.”
Papa Roach Setlist:
Last Resort
Help
Who Do You Trust?
Getting Away With Murder
Renegade Music
Between Angels and Insects
Elevate
Not The Only One
Traumatic
Crooked Teeth
Falling Apart
Forever
Scars
Feel Like Home
…To Be Loved
Encore:
Firestarter (The Prodigy Cover)
Infest
Born For Greatness
