Tonight, I’m heading to Bristol to catch metalcore legends The Devil Wears Prada as they kick off the UK leg of their latest tour, Flowers. With a seriously good supporting line-up in tow, it’s time to get inside and see how the night unfolds.
First up this evening are Oversize (6), the only UK band on tonight’s bill. Hailing from Salisbury, Wiltshire, the band take to the stage in front of a crowd that’s still filling out, but those already in the building are more than happy to give them a warm reception.
The band get things moving with some damn fine music, packed with Deftones-esque riffs and haunting vocals from frontman Nick Nowack. It’s a melancholic but heartfelt opening set, and while this isn’t necessarily music that’ll have you losing your head in the mosh pit, it’s the kind that gets you thinking while you listen.
There’s a strong stage presence from all members, who confidently deliver songs where every riff and beat feels like it has an edge and a meaning behind it. A solid way to kick off the evening, and a band I’d be interested in catching again.
After a short break, it’s time to get a little sweatier and heavier as 156/Silence (6) take to the stage, ready to unleash crushing breakdowns and soaring melodic choruses.
The Pittsburgh outfit waste no time getting the crowd moving, with vocalist Mike Ernst demanding, “I need more crowd surfers, where the fuck are you?” It’s a request the Bristol crowd is more than happy to oblige.
The band have great chemistry with the audience, feeding off the biggest moments in their songs and kicking off the first circle pits of the night. Their sound is on point, too, with booming 808s ushering in half-time chugs that threaten to rip your ears off, balanced perfectly by those unmistakable metalcore vocal melodies that send the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end.
This is another band I’m watching live for the first time, and once again, there’s no disappointment. A crushing set that gets the room warmed up nicely for what’s still to come.
A quick drink break later, and we’re ready for the next act. Parisian outfit Novelists (8) walk onstage to huge roars and cheers, making it clear that plenty of people in the room are here for them just as much as the headliners.
Having watched their set, I can confirm I’d happily count myself among them. I’m seriously impressed by this performance. The guitar work, the vocals, the subtle touches that give way to beefy drum patterns, and the connection between the band members all come together brilliantly.
There are superb solos throughout, alongside that perfect snap between blissfully melodic passages and crushing, face-first heaviness. Just when you’re settling into those soaring melodies, the band slam the brakes and launch into punishing, Jinjer-esque sections that hit like a freight train.
Everything feels tight, dynamic and purposeful, with the band showing just how effectively they can balance technical musicianship with moments of sheer heaviness.
The best thing I can say about watching Novelists tonight is that I’d happily pay to see them again anytime. And honestly, so should you.
Quick changeovers mean that, before long, we’re ready for the main event. I haven’t seen The Devil Wears Prada (8) since 2012, so tonight feels like a long-overdue catch-up. The big question is whether these metalcore veterans can still bring the noise. Spoiler alert: they absolutely can.
Anticipation builds as the crowd waits for the band to take the stage, and the roar that erupts when keyboardist Jonathan Gering appears first in the spotlight is a clear sign that Bristol is ready. He gets things underway before the rest of the band join him, launching us straight into two tracks from their latest album, Flowers: Where The Flowers Never Grow and So Low.
Both songs have the crowd jumping and surfing from the off, driven by huge riffs and hypnotic, singalong choruses — a combination the band have made their own. So Low is particularly catchy, pairing an infectious melody with enough energy to keep the room moving.
From there, the band move seamlessly between the new material and older favorites, including Danger: Wildman and Dez Moines from 2009’s With Roots Above And Branches Below. It’s a welcome mix that gives newer fans plenty to get stuck into while rewarding those who have been around since the earlier days. I had plenty of the band’s older albums and songs on repeat in my younger years, so hearing these tracks live again brings back some great memories.
The Devil Wears Prada ooze confidence, and it’s the kind that only comes from veterans who have spent more than two decades carving out their place in the metal scene. The vocals and screams cut through from every corner of the stage, keeping your eyes darting around as you try to take in everything happening in front of you. A dreamy, circular backdrop of video imagery adds another visual layer to the performance without distracting from the band themselves.
The Dayton, Ohio natives have genuinely impressed tonight. If you’ve ever wondered which metalcore bands have flown under the radar for too many people, or you’ve simply been sleeping on these legends, then you’ve been missing out. With a catalogue packed full of great songs and a live performance capable of knocking your face clean off, they remind me exactly why they’re still going strong more than 20 years on.
I’ve enjoyed every band on tonight’s bill, but The Devil Wears Prada have shown exactly why they’re comfortable headlining a stage like this, anywhere and anytime. A commanding performance from a band who clearly have plenty left in the tank.
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