Things are off to a weird start at the arena tonight. Biffy Clyro appear to be trapped under a collapsed tent. But bless their hearts they’re trying the best and playing anyway!
A Little Love, a track from their latest album, fortunately isn’t too muffled from the confines of their cloth covering, but the inhibited movements from beneath it make for an unusual start to the show. But once the (apparently intentional) white covering rises, we can actually start to enjoy the show. Was it symbolic of something? Or an artistic choice? I don’t know. But it sure was unnecessary. But onward.
Keeping in the same lane with another Futique track, the energy rises with Hunting Season. But it’s not long before old school fans are rewarded with That Golden Rule and I’ve Got A Match.
The crowd make it clear that it’s a Friday night, roaring along equally loudly to the anthemic Wolves Of Winter and slower jams like Space and Goodbye.
Despite the continued success of the Glaswegian 3 piece (well 2 piece on this tour but with 5 other people too I guess), it’s the earlier material that is met with the warmest reception. When vocalist Simon Neil introduces Biblical, the reactions is, well, biblical. And the closing lined of Mountains can be heard back in 2008 when the song was first released.
A more laid back approach is taken for the encore, with an acoustic Machines sung by the ensemble sat on the staircase backdrop that frames the stage. The Captain brings a euphoric liveliness to the crowd, blowing away those January blues. The night finishes with two of the band’s biggest hits; Bubbles and Many of Horror. For the majority of the Birmingham crowd, tonight will have been the first live concert of 2026. And I’m willing to bet that it will be a hard one to beat.
Brum Shots 
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