“Details. From their production to the stage layout, but also to the inclusivity for their musicians. Mon the Biff!” - Buddy Clyro, Finsbury Park - Gig Review - By The Fans Magazine

Words, Review & Photography Credit: Grace Wearn

Don Broco, the band that stormed my twitter and tumblr feed circa 2018 upon the release of their ‘Technology’ album, of course featuring ‘T Shirt Song’. The theme of that very storm was very much photos or videos at their gigs of their fans with a t shirt in one hand swinging it around their head, exactly like the song. Since then, I’ve been captivated by the want to be able to catch them live, until today - previously I had never been able too as life got in the way.

And my GOD, I was not disappointed. Their whole set was of the themes of three words - wild, energetic and whole heartedly fun. The words “OPEN THE PIT AND LOOK AFTER EACH-OTHER” were words heard more than once, cementing that wholehearted fun. Bands that have prominent crowd engagement more-so than usual, resonate with me because it’s nothing short of wholesome (and the moments do also make a great photo ha!). Their energy was so on par to the point where it made my (I’m 28) knees hurt haha!

Their fans are the equal mix of dedicated and wild. There was a guy on barrier that held a sign during Broco’s set that said “I lost my ear crowd surfing at your last concert”.. which is almost iconic to the dedication he very clearly has towards the band.

They played a mix of their cult-classics & fan favourites but also songs off their newest album release - ‘Nightmare Tripping’. Incredible, incredible set.

Next was the band Nothing But Thieves, which are a cult classic band played on repeat in my partner’ household. With a discography of so many amazing songs, ‘Welcome To The DCC’ and ‘Amsterdam’ are songs more prominently on repeat in the car, for us.

Their stage presence was incredible, encouraging the already excited crowd to either clap along to specific parts in songs, open the pit, or just them generally interacting l with the crowd. Like Broco, I hadn’t been fortunate enough to catch Nothing But Thieves live until Finsbury Park, and they exceeded any expectation I had. Lots of fans in the crowd were there for them, it was almost a perfect storm of ‘Nothing But Thieves’ wearing merch from fans, but also handmade posters of their yet to be released album - artwork of the drawn almost dogs?.

Nothing But Thieves had such a fun set, that mirrored both them genuinely enjoying themselves but also the fans genuinely enjoying themselves and I think that is why they’re so successful. They’re an amazing band, incredibly talented but also genuinely nice people. That genuinely nice people comment from myself was cemented from bumping into Conor, their lead singer around the Festival; during Biffy Clyro’s set.

Then came the headliners, Biffy Clyro! I’ve known of the band for a few years, as they played my hometown Festival - Victorious, back in 2024. Logistics unfortunately put a blocker in, and I wasn’t enable to catch their headline set on the Sunday, back in 2024.

Seeing them at Finsbury Park, I was not disappointed. Every single detail of their set is thought about; and in depth. From their production to the stage layout, but also to the inclusivity for their musicians - their current touring bassist Naomi was incredible (despite albeit not being a replacement for their band member James), as well as their touring violinists Anne Marie Mcgahon and Ailbhe Clancy from the wonderful Glas Quaret.

A good friend of mine works in pyrotechnics and is mutual friends with Biffy’ pyro tech, on that I would like to add a line in to say how preposterously good and how much thought has been integrated into the production behind the scenes. From their flamethrower a mere 2 songs into their set (insane for us as photographers - because it made art on our photos!), to the incredibly timed pyro during specific lyrics and parts in different songs, and also the fireworks towards the end of their set - nothing short of stunning and super special.

Another observation I had specifically was that the crowd was so diverse of all ages. I spoke to a couple on the tube back to the train station, who had their little girl with them - and her first gig last year was Biffy Clyro, and she couldn’t of been any older than 3 or 4. Their music, production, interaction and stage presence is just wholesome. ‘Bubbles’ was a favourite of mine during their set, as it was just an abounding warmhearted feeling across the festival of 50,000 people - sharing the same love for perhaps their favourite band.

Thank you so much to Finsbury Park, Live Nation and Festival Republic for having us.

Mon the Biff!