Fronted by vocalist Courtney LaPlante, Canadian metal heavyweights Spiritbox brought a masterclass in modern heavy music to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena where the band effortlessly commanded the massive space as part of their milestone UK headline tour. From explosive breakdowns to soaring vocal melodies, Spiritbox captivated the crowd with perfectly curated visual production and a setlist full of deep cuts and fan favourites alike...
Opening the evening were Portland’s Dying Wish, one of the sharpest, most emotionally charged metalcore bands of recent years. Sitting in that sweet spot between early-2000s metalcore resurgence and modern hardcore intensity, their performance was fiercely outspoken. Launching straight into I Don't Belong Anywhere, the band delivered heavy, nostalgic riffs that hit hard. Vocalist Emma Boster commanded the stage with a blistering delivery, blending serrated screams with vulnerable lyricism as the band ripped through tracks including Watch My Promise Die and Symptoms of Survival. By the time they reached Cowards Feed, Cowards Bleed and the cathartic finish of I'll Know You're Not Around, Boster’s deeply emotive delivery laid bare lyrics confronting trauma and resilience without a trace of cliché.
Next on the line up were Ukrainian progressive metal icons Jinjer, who delivered a set proving why they remain one of modern metal’s most technically ferocious bands. Kicking off their performance with Perennial and Pit of Consciousness, the band's rhythm section immediately delivered super complex, heavy rhythms that got the crowd really moving. Frontwoman Tatiana Shmayluk displayed her incredible range, shifting effortlessly between clean vocals and guttural deathcore intensity through Green Serpent, Call Me a Symbol and Vortex.
Her genre fluidity shone through Judgement (& Punishment) and I Speak Astronomy, while Someone's Daughter brought a poignant moment to those watching, as she dedicated the track to all of her sisters in the room. They even surprised the crowd with fan-favourite Pisces, joking they were not sure if they had even played it before, before closing out with the unrelenting title track of their latest album, Duél. Jinjer delivered a stunning display of modern metal mastery.
When Spiritbox took to the stage, they delivered a cinematic, emotionally heavy performance. Fueled by Mike Stringer’s atmospheric guitar work and Courtney LaPlante’s extraordinary vocal range, the band flawlessly blended metalcore, progressive metal, and ambient electronic textures. After taking advice from recent touring bands to take time to genuinely live in the moment on stage, LaPlante pointed out familiar faces in the crowd, building an intimate connection despite the arena setting.
Opening with Fata Morgana, Black Rainbow and Perfect Soul, massive dynamic swings carried the crowd toward Keep Sweet, which was warmly dedicated to everyone who knows what it’s like to be a woman. Visual highlights punctuated the night: confetti bursts showered fans during Soft Spine, and LaPlante wrapped herself in a glowing LED rope during a crushing rendition of Cellar Door. Following heavy hitters Jaded and The Void, a spoken word piece set the stage for Tsunami Sea, complete with floating bubbles, following which LaPlante reflected on the album’s themes of wanting to escape an isolated island before the sea takes her instead.
Massive circle pits erupted for Circle With Me and the brutal Holy Roller and searing performances of Sew Me Up, No Loss, No Love, Crystal Roses and Ride the Wave kept the momentum high.
Closing the set, and bringing ethereal melancholy, was new single Mourning. Even in a relatively small arena, Spiritbox proved their status as modern metal pioneers, leaving Nottingham utterly spellbound and ready for whatever groundbreaking chapter they write next.
Spiritbox performed at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena on 17 September 2026.
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