Packed into the sweat-slicked floor of North London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on a crisp September night, it was clear early on that Dance Gavin Dance’s return to the capital wasn’t just another tour stop. it was a full-blown event. Joining the post-hardcore titans for the evening were Nottingham pop-punk trailblazers As December Falls and math-rock outfit Dwellings, making for a stacked bill that promised non-stop movement from the second doors opened.
Opening duties can often be a daunting task in a room of this size, but As December Falls didn’t just meet the moment, they completely grabbed the venue by the throat. Launching straight into the bounce-heavy euphoria of ‘Carousel’, lead vocalist Bethany Hunter immediately established herself as an absolute force of nature on stage. Shifting effortlessly between soaring clean hooks and raw, biting grit, Hunter had the early crowd in the palm of her hand within seconds.
High-octane anthems like ‘Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine’ and ‘Mayday’ had the middle of the floor moving early, but it was the heavier, riff-driven pairing of ‘Flametide’ and ‘Teeth’ alongside ‘Bathroom Floor’ that really set off the pit. Closing out their set with an emotionally charged performance of ‘Therapy’, As December Falls proved once again why they’re one of the most vital, hard-working independent bands in the UK alternative scene right now.
When the house lights dimmed for Dance Gavin Dance, the room erupted into absolute bedlam. Tearing straight into the ferocious, technical gut-punch of ‘Animal Surgery’, the band wasted zero time before diving headfirst into crowd favorite ‘Chucky vs. The Giant Tortoise’.
The moment the iconic opening riffs of ‘Lemon Meringue Tie’ rang out through the PA, collective nostalgia swept through the Forum. There’s something transcendent about hearing early-era tracks executed with this much modern precision; Andrew Wells commanded the stage with effortless clean vocals while Jon Mess delivered his signature, unhinged vocal trade-offs.
The middle stretch of the set was a masterclass in dynamic pacing and musicianship. Ripping through ‘Midnight at McGuffy’s’, the frantic sprint of ‘Speed Demon’, and the swing-heavy groove of ‘Synergy’, guitar mastermind Will Swan made impossibly complex, noodly fretwork look like a walk in the park.
A major highlight of the night arrived when members of support act Dwellings joined the stage for a massive rendition of ‘Uneasy Hearts Weigh the Most’, turning the entire venue into one giant, deafening sing-along. After powering through the heavy grooves of ‘Trap Door’ and the soulful, bass-driven ‘Blue Dream’, DGD wrapped up their main set with ‘The Stickler’, leaving the room breathless and screaming for more.
Returning amidst deafening chants for an encore, the band delivered a lethal double-whammy: ‘All the Way Down’ kept the energy peaking before the sprawling, monumental soundscapes of ‘Evaporate’ brought the night to an emotional, sweat-drenched climax. Dance Gavin Dance remain absolute masters of their craft, tight, unpredictable, and capable of turning North London into a glorious, technical frenzy.
High Fives & Stage Dives 
Great venue. Great bands
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