Gig review: The Rock Orchestra - The Arena of Fire - at Motorpoint Arena

There are a lot of very different parts to talk about to begin with; however I’d like to take a minute to recognise the staging. Often with concerts, even large-scale ones like this, we take the staging for granted a bit, subconsciously choosing to focus on the music. However, it was simply impossible to not pay attention to the simply incredible stage set-up at the Arena. It consisted of a huge set of stairs, with a platform at the top. Just behind the platform, a looming skeleton hovered, lighting up and even moving sometimes. The stairway reached both the left and right sides of the stage, leaving a large backdrop for the orchestra to play to, and it was all lit with candles.

There were a lot of candles on stage, some as part of large skull-shaped chalices, echoing the Arena of Fire setting perfectly. Set dead centre amidst the stairway, sat a huge horned skeleton. The entire set was perfect, both in setting and atmosphere that accurately reflected the music being played, and in providing a practical place on which the singers, musicians and dancers could move, with some raised platforms just beneath the smaller skull helping achieve this.

The show’s introduction was fierce, intense, and the perfect summary of what was to come. The arena went dark, and some fire dancers, who also operate separately to The Rock Orchestra as The Fire Girls, came onto the stage, clutching huge fiery rods and twirling them with a cool ease and a well-earned sense of confidence. Then the orchestra came in, alongside their simple incredible backup vocal section, who were all clad in eerie and mysterious-looking robes.

The opening song was a more classical piece, Carl Off, which then went into the formidable Kashmir by Led Zeppelin. The arrangements of this opening one-two punch were simply beautiful effortlessly blending classical music sensibilities with rock to create a loud, unique and overall beautiful sound.

Next up was a rousing and emotionally potent take on Linkin Park’s timeless hit Numb, which was the first song with live vocals. For this song, the formidable Addie Nicole took to the vocals to provide a truly gut-wrenching performance. Whilst the original song has very rebellious spirit, the Rock Orchestra’s version has intertwined sadness, regret, and loss, with the combination of Addie’s vocals and the orchestral arrangements. Huge props to whoever arranges these songs for the orchestra as every single rendition hits incredibly well, the transitions are seamless, especially as there were not any guitars or basses on stage at all.

Now, the two songs towards the ending half of the first section were easily the highlight for me. The first was a rendition of Metallica’s Enter Sandman, the first of three Metallica classics, with two more heavy hitters to come.

This version of Enter Sandman was simply intoxicating in every way. The original version of the song is dark and grooving, and the live orchestral version turned up both the spookiness and groove to eleven. The one-two vocal punch of the incredible Mitchel Elms and Erin Fox really made this.

Straight after the high of this song came a darkness. The stage darkened and the masked and hooded singers arose from the stage-sides and came to the centre, and then the opening few notes played and it hit me that what is about to come will be insane. Its Sonne by German metal giants Rammstein. Addie provided beautiful and etheral vocals, mimicking the eerie synths of the track, whilst Mitchel returned to the stage to provide the chorus vocals, albeit in English, not German; this was a truly staggering and fantastic take on a metal classic.

The first set ended with a brilliantly chaotic version of Toxicity by System of a Down. This orchestral version, with no vocals, was extremely well done, with big props to the percussionists to providing such an excellent and solid backbone for the orchestra to play to here.

The second and concluding set began with another Metallica anthem in One. Mitchel came on to provide those aggressive yet emotional chorus vocals, of which really moved the Arena’s air. Mitchel, as a vocalist, really exceeds when it comes to these more emotional yet heavy songs.

Another thing to mention is how performative the vocalists are. Addie, Erin and Mitchel are all constantly dancing and really giving it their all when they are on stage. It's a true joy to see and really adds to the show.

Set two was incredible, and on a slightly higher, certainly more climactic level than its proceeding set. The orchestra blazed through a striking rendition of Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones, using their signature elements to really give it a darker feel. Mitchel was on vocals again, and for me he really shone here. 

Now, another truly special moment was Addie’s vocals on a heartbreaking and beautiful cover of Zombie by the Cranberries. Her ethereal vocals filled the arena and created an extremely powerful feel. The song is as relevant today as ever, and everyone knows it.

Overall, this was a brilliant production in every way. The Rock Orchestra are great in all contexts, but for me, the Arena of Fire was the perfect way to experience them, and especially in this spooky season. For fans of modern rock and orchestral music, I cannot recommend them enough.

The Rock Orchestra performed at Motorpoint Arena on 11th October 2025.