In the last month, news has broken that the Metropolitan Police have applied to Lambeth Council to permanently revoke the licence of Brixton Academy (currently known as O2 Academy Brixton and run by Academy Music Group). As a gig goer, and someone who likes the venue, I would be really sad if the venue's permanent closure was the outcome of this. When I say this, I don't wish to diminish what happened in December at all, it was an absolute tragedy (I don't know if it was preventable, reports on this differ). What has come out of the investigation though is that the venue was perhaps not run in the best of ways. I know from experience of being a punter there that people with seating tickets have been known to be able to get into the standing area if attending with friends. I was surprised (maybe I am naive) to learn that security guards would take bribes to let people into sold out shows. Truthfully, I wouldn't be sad if the outcome was the venue had to be run by a different operator (although, not sure that would stop a corrupt security operation). Maybe the venue needs to be remodelled at the front as well, because it is a squeeze getting in. I listened to a recent episode of the True Cvlt Pop podcast, in which the host asked if the building itself is unsafe? He said he didn't believe so and I would concur (even if it is a squeeze getting in, I haven't felt unsafe getting in). This closure has impacted me in a minor inconvenient way, in that I was supposed to be seeing Rancid there, and that has now been moved to Wembley (I really want to see Rancid, so this move, while annoying, wasn't enough to get me to sell my ticket).
In September 2020, I wrote a post called "The Pyramids Plaza: Memories of a Venue". This post was written when it was confirmed the gig venue at the Pyramids centre was closing. I wrote some words about all the gigs I'd attended there. This post is basically the same thing, but about Brixton Academy. It might be a bit premature as the venue may reopen - however I'm not feeling good about that outcome as of this writing. One thing this exercise has taught me though is that I've been to Brixton far fewer times than I thought I had! Despite that though, I have some very fond memories of the gigs I've seen in that place.
Nine Inch Nails - March 2007 (Night One) - Setlist.
This was my first visit to the venue, and it was an excellent first visit. This visit would have been a few months before the smoking ban came in (when I was still in the throes of a nicotine addiction), and I remember one of the people I was with (or met at the gig) coming to my aid by giving me some cigarette papers. Thinking back to the gig itself, this was not only the first time of me going to Brixton but also my first time seeing Nine Inch Nails, and the first time realising they sometimes choose support bands that are not for me. Ladytron was the band of choice this time, and yeah, not great! Nine Inch Nails were outstanding though.
Nine Inch Nails - March 2007 (Night Four) - Setlist.
I talked about how much I enjoyed the gig with a mate who wasn’t there, and as there were tickets left for Sunday on the balcony, decided to go again. Nine Inch Nails were again excellent (and played Starfuckers Inc as the penultimate song, the only time I’ve heard them play it live to date). A story I have from just after the gig was being handed my mates car keys as he went off to go take a pee down an alleyway. Tried to unlock the car, and was having no success. Confused, I took a step back and heard a voice say “excuse me, can I help you mate?”. Turns out I wasn’t having success as I was trying to unlock the wrong car…awkward!
The Black Crusade - November 2007 - Machine Head Setlist. Trivium Setlist. Dragonforce Setlist.
I tried to rearrange my travel plans before this gig so I could get a lift and not get the train as originally planned, but that didn’t work out (dishonesty is not the best policy!), so I stuck with my original plan. Missed Shadows Fall, which was a shame but saw the rest of the bands. Arch Enemy I recall enjoying (no Setlist posted on Setlist.fm which is a shame). My takeaway from Dragonforce was that they were better at this gig than either time I’d seen them at Download festival. My recollection of Trivium's set was that it wasn't one of the better ones I’d seen at that point (or indeed, looking back on all the times I've seen them, ever). Machine Head were firmly in their pomp having released The Blackening and this gig was an extension of that. Ace
Megadeth - February 2008 - Megadeth Setlist. Evile Setlist.
I had discovered Evile in the time before this gig (I think in 2006, but possibly in 2007). Anyway, I was really excited for them getting to play this show and was down pretty close to the front for their set. In an opposite move, after not long of their set, I went to go and hide from Job For A Cowboy (not for me!). Megadeth were pretty good that night I seem to recall, so it was all worthwhile in the end!
Disturbed - October 2008 - Disturbed Setlist. Shinedown Setlist.
Thinking back on it now, I remember so little about this gig. The Setlist for a Disturbed gig looks pretty good, and I recall enjoying it. Shinedown were also decent I seem to recall. I think this was me seeing them before it was flagged that the singer allegedly uses backing tracks/mimes live. But truthfully, this one hasn’t stuck much with me over the years.
Nightwish - March 2009 - Setlist.
At this point, I had a mixed bag with Nightwish live. Great at the Astoria, set spoiled at Rock Am Ring (technical problems) and superb at Wacken. This one felt flat. I don’t want to say the band were bad, because I don’t remember that being the case. In more recent years though, they’ve been outstandingly good, and this wasn’t that. My recollection was that it felt flat
Jagermeister Music Tour - April 2012 - Therapy? Setlist. Skindred Setlist.
Huge gap between Nightwish and this gig. Hard to say why as I’m sure there were gigs I wanted to go to (was probably poor). £5 ticket! Incredible scenes. Writing this has reminded me that I missed the next one headlined by Gojira and Ghost. Can’t remember why now, but with the benefit of hindsight, I regret that decision! I also probably regret going to this and not being across town watching Frank Turner at Wembley Arena, again with the benefit of hindsight! This gig itself though was excellent and obviously well worth the value. The Defiled were decent, Black Spiders are always fun live, Skindred and Therapy? were excellent. Seem to recall being pretty much down the front for this as well, which was cool.
Volbeat - October 2013 - Setlist.
I have feelings about this gig! This was the only time I saw The Howling live. They were decent enough, though in a bit of research for this I think they split up not long after. It was also the final time I saw Iced Earth. Typing this reminded me the main guitarist was one of those who stormed the US Capitol, welp. Anyway, this gig was undersold to the point they didn’t open the balcony, and I firmly believe part of the reason for this is because when they played Download Festival that year, the organisers clashed their set directly with Korn’s. This means fans of Volbeat went to see Volbeat but most people went to watch Korn. Volbeat played the main stage in 2014 (I believe as an apology for the year before) and the organisers decided to schedule a secret set on the third stage by Black Stone Cherry at the same time…! Anyway, Volbeat were very good on this night and it was a damn shame more people didn’t go to see them. Cheers Download!
Weezer - April 2016 - Setlist
Another long break between attending gigs at Brixton! This one was a long time in the making - these U.K. dates were Weezer’s first since 2011 (I should have seen them at Sonisphere but missed them due to having a headache…regret!). This was my first time seeing Weezer and it was excellent. They played it not long after releasing their self-titled album (known as the White album) which is excellent. Not relevant to the gig, but they did play 5 songs from it that night, which was ace for me.
Within Temptation - November 2018 - Setlist.
Well, who doesn’t love a free gig?! I won a competition to win guest list spots for this show. This show felt full, possibly too full, I remember thinking. The opening act didn’t do too much for me, but Within Temptation were ace!
Clutch - December 2018 - Setlist.
Clutch are excellent live. This was the gig though that gave me the final push to buy seating tickets at Brixton going forward as just like the Within Temptation gig, it felt oversold again. Whether it is a case of it being oversold, or people sharing tickets to let seating ticket pals into the standing area I’ll never know of course.
Volbeat - September 2019 - Setlist.
I sat upstairs for this one, and it was the first time climbing those stairs in more than 12 years! Danko Jones opened the show and it was good to see him live. Baroness were the main support and they were excellent as ever. Volbeat are a top quality band and this gig was no exception to that.
Idles - January 2022 - Idles Setlist. Self Esteem Setlist
First visit to Brixton after all the pandemic unpleasantness and again upstairs in the balcony. Witch Fever opened the show and they more than held their own on that big stage (I’ve seen them twice before at the much smaller Joiners in Southampton, but Brixton is another kettle of fish). Self Esteem was the main support and it was a bloody ace support set. I 100% want to see Self Esteem live again after this. Idles are stunning live and this gig was probably my favourite time seeing them (partly swayed by the fact they played I’m Scum).
Run The Jewels - June 2022 - Setlist.
The first time I saw Run The Jewels was also the first time I saw Idles, on a day of All Points East 2019. Not relevant to this gig but after that show, I remember enjoying them and thought I might like to see them again. Then they released RTJ4, which is incredible and I knew I’d need to see them again. This was that time and it was so very good.
The European Siege - October 2022 - Behemoth Setlist. Arch Enemy Setlist. Carcass Setlist.
Hard to say this isn’t the biggest extreme metal gig to take place in the U.K. I’d say? Anyhow, Unto Others opened and they are fine (they struck me as ‘meat and potatoes’ metal). Carcass are legends and they were great. Both Arch Enemy and Behemoth were excellent.
And that is it for all of my thoughts relating to these gigs. I do hope that this post is premature and that there are more to follow at Brixton Academy. Only time will tell I guess!
Nine Inch Nails - March 2007 (Night Four) - Setlist.
I talked about how much I enjoyed the gig with a mate who wasn’t there, and as there were tickets left for Sunday on the balcony, decided to go again. Nine Inch Nails were again excellent (and played Starfuckers Inc as the penultimate song, the only time I’ve heard them play it live to date). A story I have from just after the gig was being handed my mates car keys as he went off to go take a pee down an alleyway. Tried to unlock the car, and was having no success. Confused, I took a step back and heard a voice say “excuse me, can I help you mate?”. Turns out I wasn’t having success as I was trying to unlock the wrong car…awkward!
The Black Crusade - November 2007 - Machine Head Setlist. Trivium Setlist. Dragonforce Setlist.
I tried to rearrange my travel plans before this gig so I could get a lift and not get the train as originally planned, but that didn’t work out (dishonesty is not the best policy!), so I stuck with my original plan. Missed Shadows Fall, which was a shame but saw the rest of the bands. Arch Enemy I recall enjoying (no Setlist posted on Setlist.fm which is a shame). My takeaway from Dragonforce was that they were better at this gig than either time I’d seen them at Download festival. My recollection of Trivium's set was that it wasn't one of the better ones I’d seen at that point (or indeed, looking back on all the times I've seen them, ever). Machine Head were firmly in their pomp having released The Blackening and this gig was an extension of that. Ace
Megadeth - February 2008 - Megadeth Setlist. Evile Setlist.
I had discovered Evile in the time before this gig (I think in 2006, but possibly in 2007). Anyway, I was really excited for them getting to play this show and was down pretty close to the front for their set. In an opposite move, after not long of their set, I went to go and hide from Job For A Cowboy (not for me!). Megadeth were pretty good that night I seem to recall, so it was all worthwhile in the end!
Disturbed - October 2008 - Disturbed Setlist. Shinedown Setlist.
Thinking back on it now, I remember so little about this gig. The Setlist for a Disturbed gig looks pretty good, and I recall enjoying it. Shinedown were also decent I seem to recall. I think this was me seeing them before it was flagged that the singer allegedly uses backing tracks/mimes live. But truthfully, this one hasn’t stuck much with me over the years.
Nightwish - March 2009 - Setlist.
At this point, I had a mixed bag with Nightwish live. Great at the Astoria, set spoiled at Rock Am Ring (technical problems) and superb at Wacken. This one felt flat. I don’t want to say the band were bad, because I don’t remember that being the case. In more recent years though, they’ve been outstandingly good, and this wasn’t that. My recollection was that it felt flat
Jagermeister Music Tour - April 2012 - Therapy? Setlist. Skindred Setlist.
Huge gap between Nightwish and this gig. Hard to say why as I’m sure there were gigs I wanted to go to (was probably poor). £5 ticket! Incredible scenes. Writing this has reminded me that I missed the next one headlined by Gojira and Ghost. Can’t remember why now, but with the benefit of hindsight, I regret that decision! I also probably regret going to this and not being across town watching Frank Turner at Wembley Arena, again with the benefit of hindsight! This gig itself though was excellent and obviously well worth the value. The Defiled were decent, Black Spiders are always fun live, Skindred and Therapy? were excellent. Seem to recall being pretty much down the front for this as well, which was cool.
Volbeat - October 2013 - Setlist.
I have feelings about this gig! This was the only time I saw The Howling live. They were decent enough, though in a bit of research for this I think they split up not long after. It was also the final time I saw Iced Earth. Typing this reminded me the main guitarist was one of those who stormed the US Capitol, welp. Anyway, this gig was undersold to the point they didn’t open the balcony, and I firmly believe part of the reason for this is because when they played Download Festival that year, the organisers clashed their set directly with Korn’s. This means fans of Volbeat went to see Volbeat but most people went to watch Korn. Volbeat played the main stage in 2014 (I believe as an apology for the year before) and the organisers decided to schedule a secret set on the third stage by Black Stone Cherry at the same time…! Anyway, Volbeat were very good on this night and it was a damn shame more people didn’t go to see them. Cheers Download!
Weezer - April 2016 - Setlist
Another long break between attending gigs at Brixton! This one was a long time in the making - these U.K. dates were Weezer’s first since 2011 (I should have seen them at Sonisphere but missed them due to having a headache…regret!). This was my first time seeing Weezer and it was excellent. They played it not long after releasing their self-titled album (known as the White album) which is excellent. Not relevant to the gig, but they did play 5 songs from it that night, which was ace for me.
Within Temptation - November 2018 - Setlist.
Well, who doesn’t love a free gig?! I won a competition to win guest list spots for this show. This show felt full, possibly too full, I remember thinking. The opening act didn’t do too much for me, but Within Temptation were ace!
Clutch - December 2018 - Setlist.
Clutch are excellent live. This was the gig though that gave me the final push to buy seating tickets at Brixton going forward as just like the Within Temptation gig, it felt oversold again. Whether it is a case of it being oversold, or people sharing tickets to let seating ticket pals into the standing area I’ll never know of course.
Volbeat - September 2019 - Setlist.
I sat upstairs for this one, and it was the first time climbing those stairs in more than 12 years! Danko Jones opened the show and it was good to see him live. Baroness were the main support and they were excellent as ever. Volbeat are a top quality band and this gig was no exception to that.
Idles - January 2022 - Idles Setlist. Self Esteem Setlist
First visit to Brixton after all the pandemic unpleasantness and again upstairs in the balcony. Witch Fever opened the show and they more than held their own on that big stage (I’ve seen them twice before at the much smaller Joiners in Southampton, but Brixton is another kettle of fish). Self Esteem was the main support and it was a bloody ace support set. I 100% want to see Self Esteem live again after this. Idles are stunning live and this gig was probably my favourite time seeing them (partly swayed by the fact they played I’m Scum).
Run The Jewels - June 2022 - Setlist.
The first time I saw Run The Jewels was also the first time I saw Idles, on a day of All Points East 2019. Not relevant to this gig but after that show, I remember enjoying them and thought I might like to see them again. Then they released RTJ4, which is incredible and I knew I’d need to see them again. This was that time and it was so very good.
The European Siege - October 2022 - Behemoth Setlist. Arch Enemy Setlist. Carcass Setlist.
Hard to say this isn’t the biggest extreme metal gig to take place in the U.K. I’d say? Anyhow, Unto Others opened and they are fine (they struck me as ‘meat and potatoes’ metal). Carcass are legends and they were great. Both Arch Enemy and Behemoth were excellent.
And that is it for all of my thoughts relating to these gigs. I do hope that this post is premature and that there are more to follow at Brixton Academy. Only time will tell I guess!
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