Gig review: Volbeat at Motorpoint Arena

Tonight's openers Witch Fever are so new and cool, despite having been around for a while (I was first listening to them back in 2021). Their sound is very shoegaze-y, with loud resonant guitar parts and building breakdown-like drums, yet the vocals are very like WARGASM (UK), with a shouty vox-like feel, and it all really works.

There’s an intense sense of motion and anxiety to their songs, in the most positive way, and they very much play around on this idea on the stage. The stage consists of two large, slightly raised diamond platforms and in-between one long runway with a diamond head to it. All this means there is a lot of space to play around with, and Witch Fever really make the best use of it. Guitarist Alisha and bassist Alex constantly walk up the runway during build-ups, edging towards vocalist Amy, who performs with such an intense passion it's a joy to watch. A rather scary joy, though.

The highlight of the set comes in the form of THE GARDEN, one of their newer songs, a single leading up their debut album, which came out on Halloween. The song boasts a strong build-up and a dramatic, fearful release, followed by a darkly groovy second verse. There’s an abstract sense of destruction to the way they bound up and down the stage, constantly teasing the audience with their power, all set to crushing guitar parts. The way they convey such darkness and fun weirdness in the live setting is really good, the set is very enjoyable. Overall, I recommend seeing this band if you like heavier shoegaze, or just very intense performativity, as Witch Fever do that very well. It's impressive seeing a younger band have such good arena-level confidence and sound. Their music would sound amazing anywhere, but the arena setting really does it favours.

Honestly, I hadn’t really heard of Bush before. But I was assured they were amazing, especially live, and, yeah, they are. Wow. This was a next-level set like nothing I had seen before.

Gavin Rossdale and co were on top form, with Gavin creating some of the most powerful guitar tone with just a Stratocaster. Guitarists with such mastery of rhythm guitar are rare these days; Gavin completely encapsulates rhythm guitar and this really makes the songs. The band open with the absolutely fantastic Everything Zen, and this is a high point and really sets the tone of the set perfectly; loud guitars, crushing drums and resounding and soaring leads. They’re cool and impressive with everything they do, but what elevates the set is a moment when Gavin jumps off stage, makes his way through the crowd, high fiving and saying hi to people and then climbing up the seated areas to perform from there. I’d never seen this sort of live performance in the arena, ever, and was both shocked and very, very impressed; this shows such a good attitude towards performing and crowds and live shows.

Another high point is a rousing cover of a classic: The Beatles’ hit Come Together. Bush’s version is loud, punchy and charismatic in a 90s heavy rock sort of way, which arguably is what Gavin Rossdale does best. They put a very good spin on such an iconic tune and it really works. It's very recognisable yet does sound like a Bush song. The Bush sound live is simply incredible though, the vocals are precise and airy, the guitars are loud, brash and full of tone, and the drums are banging and well-paced. Overall, this was an absolutely fantastic set from the heavy rock giants; the arena setting transforms their music into a powerful crushing machine and I’m here for it.

Now, Volbeat. The Danish rock powerhouses were anticipated with an intense and welcoming ferocity from the crowd. Frontman Michael Poulson enters the stage with a beaming smile as he sees the crowd screaming at his arrival; its clear that on the arena stages, Volbeat feel home. This is crystal clear in how they all move about the stage, with Michael singing through six different mics, all positioned at completely different points around the stage, as described earlier, and all of the four members of the band effortlessly gliding around the structure alongside their respective instruments. 

Lola Montez, the second song of the set, is anthemic and stadium-destroying, the perfect set-up for what was to come. It has a powerful air to it, a soaring riff and a violently grooving motion, all of which are key staples to Volbeats set and sound and energy. The song provides not just an intro to Volbeat but starts a power motif of their sound and overall positive performance ideologies.

Something very interesting about Michael is his choice of live guitars; throughout his set he plays three different solid-body electrics, all three of which are Gibson SG models. These are very rock-centric guitars yet Michael plays the rhythm parts with such a dizzying speed and confidence; he knows how to manipulate the chords and notes in context to really move air. The way in which he bounds around the stage with his guitar still shredding is extremely impressive but also sounds good; again, Volbeat just ooze arena rock energy with everything they do.

When they play Die to Live, it feels like they’re moving the Earth, causing a tangible, rock and roll-style seismic shift in the stadium. The song’s themes of partying and living life and dealing with all the consequences is powerful yet fun and clear. Everyone is moving and singing along, really living in the moment, its really impressive to see. Honestly, Volbeat crush it with every song but here they’ve really struck something special, a real carpe diem anthem.

They strike audio gold again two songs later, in the form of Black Rose. This song is again anthemic, reaching pushing through a cool stadium rock feel. But its fast, violent and punchy, dealing with the end of days in such a fun and provocative manner, the best way to approach the subject of Armageddon.

Now, this next moment is something I’d never seen before. Michael asks the crowd to send any kids up to the stage to join them. There’s about 30, stood behind the band. They play Still Counting, stinging and dancing with the kids. Its insanely special and wholesome, something that really helps to solidify Volbeat as a really powerful act, not just in music but in spirit, and it doesn’t end there. After the song, Michael takes his guitar around to the kids and lets them strum it, all whilst smiling. Its a truly special moment in every way.

Overall, this was a sublime set from heavy music’s Danish darlings. Mixing high energy hard rock with powerful spirit and huge community energy, Volbeat tap into something unique and powerful and special, something that has to be seen to be believed.

Volbeat performed at Motorpoint Arena on 5th November 2025, with support from Bush and Witch Fever.