Madina Lake// Greywind // Bad Luck. // Live Review // Rescue Rooms // Nottingham
Madina Lake are a band that has been in the scene for as long as I can remember. They’ve grown up with their fans and we’ve all become adults now. Some even raise the next generation of rockers. The first time they’ve come to the UK since 2017, and fans have been eagerly awaiting their return. Today, I managed to catch the band in Nottingham, with another snow warning looming on the horizon.
Bad Luck., a 4-piece hailing from New York, join us as the openers for this tour tonight. The band announced it’s only their 3rd time in the UK performing. They have a great nostalgic punk sound to them, making it clear why they’ve been brought on for this tour. The band boast a decent amount of followers on Spotify and some songs even streamed over a million times already, so though new to the UK, it’s only a matter of time before they get that international attention.
The fans were eating them up. Between the catchy melodies and the endearing awkwardness of the vocalist’s banter, it’s hard to find something to not love. The vocalist would stumble on his words, trying to tell people about the merch up the stairs, and joking how to anyone just coming into the room, they just missed him “killing it earlier.” The humour of the band being contagious and right up the English Alley meant the jokes were landing and though his demeanour was shy, he was doing a great job at turning people to their side.
The guitarists were great to watch. Both of them were giving it their all on either side of the vocalist. So, whichever side you were on, you didn’t know whether to look at vocals or to one of them. Sadly, the drummer was lost in the smoke machine…I wondered if at any point they even turned it off. Just when you had visibility, it was lost again. The band did great regardless, we may not have seen everyone but we could hear them. The band left the stage to cheer and promised to see them again when next in the UK.
Greywind are a 2-piece, touring 4-piece, band hailing from Ireland. The band are described as having an emo sound with some genre blends. Just a fun fact but the two core members of the band are brother and sister (It’s cute, just thought I’d throw that in here). The confidence of the band is immediately something you can sense through their stage presence.
The vocalist was constantly going between both sides of the stage and interacting with people, whether with a point or singing to them. Arguably one of their most iconic songs is “In Autumn” which blew up on socials maybe a year or two ago now. But alas it’s not on setlist, which was a bummer. The band have other bangers to pull you along to and for a lot of people here, this will be their first time seeing Greywind after having no concept prior.
The crowd were lapping them up, after every song the band were met with a booming cheer and clap. The vocalist was praising the crowd every chance she got, almost like a teacher praising the kids, I can’t lie, with words like “You guys are being so good!” Once again I couldn’t see drums, I heard them though and they were hitting just right. The guitarists were great to watch, always on the move and every so often interacting with each other. But without fail, your attention will always be on the vocalist who paces left to right, so no one is left out.
Madina Lake has returned to the UK after many years. The room packed out to see the American band that formed in 2005 and probably had an everlasting effect on many now-adults lives. The band appear on stage, one member at a time. Concluding with the barefoot vocalist who was jumping around the stage and truly soaking in the love from the crowd below.
The crowd for the previous two bands was scarce compared to now. It is a shame that many didn’t catch the support acts. I could see fans wearing some old Madina Lake memorabilia, showing just how long this band has been in the scene. The crowd was loudest during “One Last Kiss”. One of the most iconic ML songs. It was like the room lit up and the vocalist would throw the mic to the audience, who more than willingly would finish the lyrics.
It’s great seeing a band who have so much love for the stage. The energy just doubled within the room and almost everyone in the room was up on their feet jumping up and down. The poor drummer struggled on the platform. Whether all the jumping was the cause who knows, but they had a crew member having to run onto stage to pick up fallen cymbal stands, whilst trying not to get in the way of the members at the front. Regardless of the trouble, the band just went with it. Showcasing their experience and confidence in this medium.
Madina Lake is an icon within the rock from subgenres of alternative to emo. It’s great to see a band never lose their enthusiasm for the stage and craft. Both supports put on a great show too and it’d be great to see them both on their headliners at some point. The bands are on a UK run til mid-February, and then Madina Lake embarks on a North American run from March til April.
Catch them quick in the UK while you can:
Tue 11th Feb – GLASGOW Slay
Thu 13th Feb – NEWCASTLE The Grove
Fri 14th Feb – BIRMINGHAM Asylum
Tickets are on sale now here and here.
Expect to hear classics like “House Of Cards,” “One Last Kiss“, “Welcome To Oblivion,” “Never Take Us Alive,” and “Here I Stand“, which has now racked up more than 2.5 million plays on YouTube alone.
A limited number of VIP packages are available for each date here. This special upgrade comprises:
• Two song soundcheck acoustic show
• Meet + greet plus photo with the band
• Limited edition signed tour poster
• Exclusive VIP laminate
• Madina Lake tote bag
• Early entry with first access to merch
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