Photo credit: Harris Tomlinson-Spence
Papa Roach rolled into OVO Arena Wembley on 7 February 2025, and the night was one hell of a spectacle. With the iconic venue filled to the brim with fans of all ages, the band delivered a set that combined the nostalgia of their early 2000s hits with a powerful blend of newer tracks, leaving fans both old and new utterly enthralled. Supported by Wage War, this show quickly became a celebration of Papa Roach’s lasting impact on the rock and nu-metal scene.
Wage War opened the night with a blistering set that set the tone perfectly. Their aggressive sound and crushing breakdowns drew the crowd in with every riff, and as the room filled, their thunderous presence had the audience fully awake and engaged. Tracks from their latest albums felt right at home in the massive space, and they left the stage knowing they had ignited the crowd for what was to come.
And then, as the lights dimmed and the intro to Even If It Kills Me rang out, the anticipation in the air was palpable. Papa Roach stormed the stage, launching directly into their 2000s-era hits with fiery energy. Blood Brothers followed, and the roar of the crowd was deafening as fans sang every word back to Jacoby Shaddix, whose energy was absolutely contagious. This wasn’t just a show—it was a full-on emotional ride, with every song carrying a sense of catharsis and release.
The high-octane start continued with Dead Cell and …To Be Loved, each song dripping with the raw intensity that made the band’s early work so iconic. Shaddix was a whirlwind of motion, engaging with the crowd at every turn, his vocal delivery as sharp as ever. The connection between the band and the audience was undeniable, and even the most hardened fans couldn’t help but feel a sense of unity in the room.
The set took an unexpected but welcome turn with their explosive cover of 2Pac’s California Love. While it seemed like an unusual choice at first, the crowd was here for it, embracing the unexpected with open arms. Papa Roach’s ability to seamlessly switch between genres and maintain their signature style was on full display here, and the audience was loving every second of it.
The mood shifted once more as they blasted through the thumping Swerve and Liar, songs that had fans moshing and jumping in unison. The band’s sound, rooted in rap-rock and nu-metal, showcased their range and their ability to reinvent themselves while still maintaining that signature Papa Roach grit.
A particularly emotional moment came with Forever, which featured a snippet of Linkin Park’s In The End. The crowd’s reaction was nothing short of emotional. It was a beautiful tribute, and it’s clear that the connection between the two bands runs deep, with both fans and the band honoring the late Chester Bennington’s legacy in that one fleeting moment.
Falling Apart and PSA kept the momentum rolling, with Shaddix at the top of his game, his voice sounding as powerful as it ever has. The band’s performance was tight, and the onstage chemistry between them was undeniable.
Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark) brought a rare, melodic break in the action, allowing the crowd a moment to breathe before they dove straight back into the chaos with Roses on My Grave and No Apologies, each song filling the arena with anthemic hooks and emotionally charged lyrics.
The drum solo that followed was a highlight—one of those rare moments when the crowd gets lost in the intricate rhythms and power of the band’s musicianship. It served as a perfect bridge to the emotional highs of Scars and Help, two tracks that resonate deeply with fans and provided the kind of catharsis that only a live show can offer.
As the main set came to a close with Born for Greatness, there was a sense of satisfaction in the air. The crowd had been given a rollercoaster of nostalgia and new material, and everyone knew they were about to witness something truly special in the encore.
When the band returned, they opened with Between Angels and Insects, bringing the house down with its gritty energy. But it was Infest, the track that brought them into the mainstream spotlight, that really had the crowd in a frenzy. The crowd was electrified, singing every word back at the band with a fervor that felt almost primal.
Then came the jaw-dropping mashup of Broken Home, which included a snippet of Eminem’s Lose Yourself, followed by Blind, My Own Summer (Shove It), Break Stuff, and Chop Suey. The medley was a nod to the influences that shaped the band’s sound, and the crowd went absolutely wild for it. It was a loud, chaotic celebration of all things rock and nu-metal, and it left everyone craving more.
Finally, Last Resort—arguably the band’s most iconic song—closed out the night with its gut-wrenching chorus and relentless energy. The crowd erupted, and Papa Roach left the stage as legends, having proven that their influence on the genre is as strong as ever.
High Fives & Stage Dives 