WORDS AND IMAGES RHYS GROVER
Nickelback spent the best part of the early 2000’s at the top of their game. They were a household name, their songs on the radio constantly and in the charts even more frequently. Albums such as ‘Black Horse’ and ’All The Right Reasons’ will go down in musical history for the time period for the impact they had, and it’s albums like these that allow the band to still fill one of the UK’s biggest arenas for a night of incredible music.
Lottery Winners had been given the opening slot, and they did a terrific job. For a band who likely spent many an hour in the crowd of this behemoth arena, to now be on the stage doing their thing is a moment most kids and musicians dream of, and even from the photo pit right at the back, you could see the pleasure on the faces of each member of the band, and how proud they are of where they have got to. Thom Rylance’s charisma is second to none, and even in a room of this size, he can make it feel like the smallest venue in the world, as he drags you in to the palm of his hand. They were so good that they were later invited back on stage for a terrific cover of ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ with Nickleback, a truly incredible moment, especially with the relation this song has had with the arena since the events a few years ago.
Setlist:
1 – Worry
2 – Letter to Myself
3 – Much Better
4 – You’re Not Alone
5 – Start Again
6 – Burning House
Nickelback took to the stage after a series of clips of band interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage. An animated car chase with the van from the cover of their latest album ‘Get Rollin’ was the icing on the cake before they stormed onto the stage and charged into their incredible set. ‘San Quentin’ and ‘Savin Me’ kicked off the night with a huge welcoming noise from the crowd. Their a few nights into the tour, and it was clear that any cobwebs had been blown off in earlier nights, straight from the off, every member was in fine form.
Not only was the music of an extreme standard that most bands could only dream of, but the visual display left you picking your jaw from the floor. It’s always something magical with a band like this in the AO Arena, but there was something just that little bit extra about what was on offer for this show. It left me putting my cameras down a few times and just soaking in the incredible atmosphere.
Despite this tour being in support of their latest musical offering, it was tracks from their earlier days that dominated the setlist. The majority was from both ‘All The Right Reasons’ and ‘Black Horse’, and it was clear to see why. The fans were in pure adoration with every track, but there was something that little bit extra with their older material. Halfway through, they cracked out ‘Where Do I Hide’, a tour debut for the track and its first outing in 5 years, and the crowd was going ten-to-the-dozen all the way through.
Their biggest and best were saved til near last though, with ‘Photograph’, ‘Rockstar’ and ‘How You Remind Me’ all within the last five tracks. It was a little bit more special for one fan though, who was welcomed up onto the stage during ‘Rockstar’ to take the vocals. It’s something every fan has dreamed of, especially musicians, and you could just tell it was a moment they will never forget. This is what makes music so special. Fans are everything, they spend their hard-earned money to show their support, whether that’s gig tickets, merch, or album sales, and for Nickleback to give a little bit back is something more bands should take more note of.
SETLIST
1 – SAN QUENTIN
2 – SAVIN ME
3 – FAR AWAY
4 – ANIMALS
5 – SOMEDAY
6 – WORTHY TO SAY
7 – FIGURED YOU OUT
8 – WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER
9 – WHERE DO I HIDE
10 – THIS AFTERNOON
11 – DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGER (WITH LOTTERY WINNERS)
12 – PHOTOGRAPH
13 – ROCKSTAR
14 – THOSE DAYS
15 – HOW YOU REMIND ME
ENCORE
16 – GOTTA BE SOMEBODY
17 – BURN IT TO THE GROUND
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
