The night at Birmingham’s O2 Academy kicked off with Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania-hailing quartet One Step Closer diving straight into Leap Years, an electrifying opener that instantly captivated the crowd. The band’s emotional intensity carried through Dark Blue and Blur My Memory, with fans shouting back every word as the raw energy of the music filled the room.
One Step Closer @ O2 Academy, Birmingham
Highlights included Orange Leaf, where the delicate opening built into a soaring chorus, and Esruc, an instrumental masterclass that showcased the band’s technical skill. The reflective Color You brought a heartfelt pause, before the ferocity of Slow To Let Go and Pringle Street reignited the mosh pits.
The emotional pinnacle came with Giant’s Despair, a powerful anthem of resilience that united the audience in a shared catharsis. Closing with Blur My Memory. the band left the crowd buzzing, their set an unforgettable journey through raw emotion and explosive energy. One Step Closer proved they’re built for bigger stages, delivering a performance that was more than a gig—it was a visceral, unifying experience. Their ability to balance raw emotion with explosive energy is something special, and their performance proved they’re destined for even bigger stages
Next, Lansdale, Pennsylvania’s The Wonder Years lit up the O2 Academy, Birmingham with a performance that was as emotionally raw as it was relentlessly energetic. They opened with I Don’t Like Who I Was Then, its soaring melodies and confessional lyrics immediately striking a chord with the packed crowd. The intensity ramped up with Low Tide, as the band’s signature blend of emo and pop-punk brought a wave of cathartic singalongs.
The punchy, angst-fueled GODDAMNITALL kept the energy peaking, before transitioning into Cardinals, where frontman Dan Campbell’s impassioned vocals carried the room into an emotional whirlwind. The crowd became a choir during Old Friends Like Lost Teeth, a track that felt like a nostalgic celebration of resilience and friendship. The heart of the set came with Wyatt’s Song (Your Name) and Oldest Daughter, where the raw vulnerability in the lyrics turned the room into a collective reflection of love, family, and growth.
When Passing Through A Screen Door hit, the crowd erupted in pure chaos, a testament to its enduring legacy as a fan favourite. Classics like Washington Square Park brought out the band’s earlier grit, while closing with Came Out Swinging was the perfect finale, leaving everyone in the room shouting along with every word and basking in the afterglow of an unforgettable night. The Wonder Years delivered a set that wasn’t just a concert but a connection, reminding everyone of the power of shared stories and shouted lyrics in a room full of strangers turned friends.
But it was the main act – Wrexham’s Neck Deep – that absolutely tore the roof off the Academy, delivering a set that felt like a massive pop-punk reunion with your best mates. A set that touched upon all but their sophomore LP but leant heavily on last year’s eponymous 5th studio record, they kicked things off with Dumbstruck Dumbfk,”** and from the first note, the crowd was chaos in the best way—mosh pits, head-banging, and so much energy you couldn’t help but get swept up in it.
Sort Yourself Out kept the vibe alive, with everyone screaming along like it was a group therapy session. Then came It Won’t Be Like This Forever and Take Me With You—tracks that just hit different live. They had this hopeful, almost comforting vibe, like a reminder that no matter how bad it gets, music’s got your back.
The mood shifted with Heartbreak Of The Century—frontman Ben Barlow’s vocals just cut through the room, and you could feel every word hit home. But don’t worry, Neck Deep didn’t let us stay in our feelings too long. The Beach Is for Lovers (Not Lonely Losers) brought the fun right back, turning the place into a sweaty mosh pit. When they got to I Revolve (Around You) and Motion Sickness, it felt like everyone was in perfect sync. These tracks are made for live shows, and the energy bouncing between the band and the crowd was unreal. And then, Gold Steps—that song just hits. Everyone went wild for it, and Smooth Seas Don’t Make Good Sailors was like a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever had to fight through tough times.
Can’t Kick Up the Roots and She’s A God were peak singalong moments including an all female moshpit—everyone yelling the lyrics at the top of their lungs. But then came December, and the whole room shook with excitement, the crowd swaying, and you could tell that song meant a lot to so many people.
Of course, they weren’t done yet. The encore was wild—We Need More Bricks brought the laughs, and STFU felt like everyone was putting the world to rights with a collective middle finger. Finally wrapping up with In Bloom, everyone was singing their hearts out, and it felt like one big, emotional celebration of everything Neck Deep stands for. By the end of the night, it wasn’t just a gig—it was like being part of this huge, sweaty, pop-punk family. If you weren’t there, you missed out big time. Neck Deep made it a night to remember and the perfect way to start a long-awaited UK tour.
Live review & photography of One Step Closer, The Wonder Years and Neck Deep at O2 Academy, Birmingham on 24th January 2025 by Nick Allan.
Sam Fender Road Tests People Watching At London’s O2 Arena Ahead Of 2025 Stadium Tour
Share Thing