Uptown Festival Returns In 2024 For The Family-Friendly Day Festival Experience

by | Jul 31, 2024

Last night, the O2 Institute Birmingham was the epicentre of punk rock excellence as Chicago’s Alkaline Trio delivered a performance that can only be described as legendary. With a setlist that perfectly blended new tracks with timeless classics, the band proved once again why they are the undisputed kings of punk rock.

As the house lights dimmed, the crowd’s anticipation reached a fever pitch. The stage was set, and the opening chords of latest album opener Hot For Preacher sent a wave of exhilaration through the venue. The new track sounded even more powerful live, with its gritty riffs and infectious chorus igniting the crowd. 2003 single We’ve Had Enough followed, and it was clear that Alkaline Trio was just getting started. Frontman Matt Skiba’s vocals were on point, capturing the angst and defiance that fans have come to love. The energy in the room was palpable, with everyone singing along to every word.

Alkaline Trio @ O2 Institute Birmingham

Alkaline Trio @ O2 Institute Birmingham (Nick Allan)
Alkaline Trio @ O2 Institute Birmingham (Nick Allan)

The nostalgic vibes continued with Take Lots With Alcohol, a fan favourite that had the entire venue swaying and shouting in unison. The band’s chemistry was evident, each member perfectly in sync, creating a wall of sound that was both tight and explosive. Bad Time showcased the band’s ability to blend introspective lyrics with powerful instrumentation. The crowd was hooked, hanging on every note. Versions Of You from the new record was a standout, its fresh sound seamlessly fitting into the set and proving that Alkaline Trio’s new material is just as compelling as their classics.

When Mr. Chainsaw roared through the speakers, the energy in the room hit its peak. The fast-paced, frenetic energy of the song turned the floor into a sea of jumping bodies. One Hundred Stories and Calling All Skeletons kept the momentum going, each track a perfect blend of melody and punk attitude. The band then dove into Cringe, a deep cut that delighted long-time fans. The raw emotion and intensity of the performance were unforgettable. Armageddon and Sadie followed, each song demonstrating the band’s range and ability to captivate with both fast-paced anthems and slower, more contemplative tunes.

As the opening notes of Mercy Me rang out, the crowd erupted. The infectious melody and heartfelt lyrics created a sing-along moment that was truly magical. Warbrain and Crawl kept the energy high, with the band delivering flawless performances that showcased their musical prowess. 2024 LP title track Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs and 2001’s Stupid Kid were explosive, each song a reminder of why Alkaline Trio’s music has stood the test of time. The main set closed with Private Eye and Time to Waste, both tracks encapsulating the essence of the band’s appeal – raw, emotional, and utterly engaging.

As the band left the stage, the crowd’s chants for an encore were deafening. And Alkaline Trio obliged, returning with the iconic sophomore LP cut Radio. The emotional intensity of the song brought the night to a perfect close, with the entire venue singing along in unison, a fitting end to an unforgettable performance.

In my opinion, this was Alkaline Trio at their absolute best. The mix of new songs and classic hits from across 8 of their 10 studio records, the band’s top form, and the electric atmosphere of the O2 Institute Birmingham made for a night that will be remembered for years to come. The trio of Skiba, bassist Dan Andriano and drummer Atom Willard proving that they are not just a band, but a punk rock institution, capable of delivering a live show that is both exhilarating and fun.

Live review & photography of Alkaline Trio at O2 Institute, Birmingham on 31st July 2024 by Nick Allan.

The Amazons Are Ready For Something At Summer Series At Somerset House 2024

The newly named Woodsies Area of Glastonbury Festival 2023 (Kalpesh Patel)

Glastonbury Festival 2025: Woodsies And The Tree Stage Unveil A Spellbinding Lineup

The wait is over: Glastonbury Festival has lifted the curtain on its 2025 Woodsies and Tree Stage lineups, revealing an audacious mix of euphoric headliners, genre-pushing newcomers, and immersive soundscape creators. Together, these twin stages promise to offer festivalgoers something rare: a place to feel, think, move, and breathe within the wild and wondrous edges of Worthy Farm.

Amy Macdonald (Olivia Rose)

Amy Macdonald Announces New LP ‘Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For?’ + Tour Dates

Amy Macdonald’s gift for crafting positive, uplifting songs from relatable stories of triumphs, struggles and hope...
Andrew Cushin (Press)

Andrew Cushin Shares ‘New World Blazing’ Alongside Tour News

Firmly established as an artist’s artist with the likes of Noel Gallagher, Sam Fender, Louis Tomlinson and Pete Doherty all in his corner, Andrew Cushin is primed to rise to the next level with the 2nd May release of his second album Love Is For Everyone. Building upon his acclaimed debut Waiting For The Rain, he now takes the next step towards the new record by sharing the single New World Blazing.

Hurts (Press)

Hurts Celebrate 15 Years Of ‘Happiness’ With Vinyl Release And Tour

It’s been 15 years since Hurts released their debut album Happiness, a record which has since cast a towering...
Scouting For Girls (Press)

Scouting For Girls Announce 15th Anniversary Edition Of ‘Everybody Wants To Be On TV’ And Tour Dates

In 2010, Scouting For Girls amplified the success of their self-titled debut album with their follow-up Everybody...

Ghost Prove They Have The Power On Skeletour Date At The O2 Arena

Members of the Clergy gathered this Easter Saturday at London’s O2 Arena to see the latest incarnation of melodic metal band Ghost. Expectations were high as this was to be just the third show of the Skeletour with ‘new’ singer Papa V Perpetua – Tobias Forge takes on a new persona for each album cycle of Ghost’s career to date, almost like having a new Pope, extremely topical this particular weekend.

Beck with The BBC Concert Orchestra @ The Royal Albert Hall (Kalpesh Patel)

Beck Is Transcendent With The BBC Concert Orchestra At The Royal Albert Hall

“I sorta dug through all my songs that had strings on them. Usually how it goes is they kinda just do strings on top of the hits, but these were actually strings on all the records” Beck David Hansen states part way through what is, a truly magical evening of music, departing from the norm and going with his gut, in true Beck style.

Leonie Jakobi (Anchor and Pine Collective)

Leonie Jakobi Shares New Single ‘So Much Love To Give’

Leonie Jakobi’s recent single I Deserve To Shine earned her biggest spread of UK coverage to date, building on previous airplay support from 6 Music, BBC Introducing. Her contagious positivity and new generation take on classic rock sounds inspired that new wave of discovery, and those traits again stand proud as she shares her new single So Much Love To Give and announces that she will release her debut album What Are The People Gonna Say? on the 5th September 2025. 

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing