Oh what a night – Issues kill it with their support set, Neck Deep are always a treat and Don Broco light up Wembley Arena.
Having released their latest record Technology early last year, Don Broco are still riding that high and bringing it to arenas across the UK with support from Issues and Neck Deep. We went along to their show at Wembley Arena and were treated to a spectacular show from beginning to end.
Atlanta rock outfit Issues kicked off the celebrations with a clear instruction from vocalist Tyler Carter “Wembley! I wanna see everyone get off the ground tonight!” and a packed arena was ready to party. Tyler’s impressive vocal range had everyone on their toes, and even more impressive: a little while ago the band’s harsh vocalist Michael Bohn left the band so guitarist AJ Rebello and bassist Skyler Acord had to step up and take on the duties of the former member. Safe to say to not only lived up to the challenged but slayed it while still ripping the riffs on their guitars.
Issues cover off their entire discography with their eight-track set, opening with Holligans off of their 2014 release Diamond Dreams. While the band are working on their new LP, their 2016 Headspace delivers the addictive metalcore-infused goodness you’re lookign for. They closed their set with fan favorite Mad At Myself, having all the fans in the room singing along to the lyrics. Issues delivered a performance that would draw huge crowds at festivals and left the audience with a lust for what’s to come from the band.
Neck Deep have been a massive force in the UK pop-punk scene since the release of their sophomore record The Peace And The Panic. So it’s fitting they start their set off with the track that also opens TPATP – Motion Sickness – sending the crowd into a frenzy. Neck Deep’s on stage banter is also on point this evening as Ben Barlow questions the mosh pit the crowd has going “The size of that pit is fucking pathetic”.
One of the highlights of the set was their cover of Natalie Imbruglia’s iconic track Torn which the band overed for a compilation titled Songs That Saved My Life which was released late last year to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities in the US. “I’d like to say we’ll be back soon bit we don’t know when that’ll be because we have an album to write.” he says just as Neck Deep close out their set with the fittingly titled Where Do We Go When We Go.
Fans of Don Broco were in for a true treat tonight – visually and musically. Playing one of their biggest healdine shows to date, the Bedford rock outfit showed up ready to impress. Three massive circular screens and multiple varied lighting set-ups made sure that you weren’t only listening to great music, you were looking at something quite stunning.
Come Out To LA, taken off the band’s latest release Technology, kicks off the show with a bang. “The first time I crowd surfed was at the Foo Fighters at Wembley, I thought the concert was over but I did it about ten more times.” tells Rob Damiani, bonding with his fans who are about to do exactly the same.
Don Broco cover off every aspect of a great rock show at Wembley Arena. There’s crowd-surfing, there’s mosh pits, there’s big singalongs, there’s a gorgeous acoustic performance of Further and even a cowboy dance routine for their 2018 single Greatness.
The band send us into the night with three tracks for their encore including Half Man Half God, Thug Workout and T-Shirt Song. Throughout their set the band seemed genuinely humbled to have gotten to where they have, genuinely grateful for the support of their fans over the years. As the last chords of T-Shirt Song echo through Wembley Arena, the fans raise t-shirts above their heads swinging them in unison to show their appreciation for the band – what a moment to finish a show on!
High Fives & Stage Dives 