Live Review: Fozzy - O2 Institute, Birmingham
5th November 2022
Support: Escape The Fate, Scarlet Rebels
Words & Photos: Damian John
Charisma, charm and some proper heavy rock, I'm expecting all that and more this evening at Birmingham's O2 Institute, for tonight, I'm here to see the incredible Fozzy. Currently rocking venue after venue on the UK leg of their 'Save The World' tour, they're joined by Escape The Fate and Scarlet Rebels. Despite the early doors there's still a massive queue wrapping its way around the block full of eager fans all raring to go on this one Saturday evening.
Scarlet Rebels walk onto the stage engulfed in a bright golden light with frontman Wayne Doyle immediately taking control of the Brummie crowd. With a healthy dose of classic rock the Welsh quartet power their way through the set, Les Pauls often aloft in the sky as Chris Jones breaks into one of his captivating guitar solos. A brief cover of AC/DC's 'It's A Long Way to the Top' is the opportune moment to get the crowd going and having a little fun chanting along with their fists in the sky.
Escape The Fate kick off straight into the fan favourite 'Gorgeous Nightmare' much to the pleasure of the Brummie crowd; they know what their audience wants. Their sing-along choruses are their biggest strength with melodies catchy enough to hook even the most stalwart heavy metal fans. Guitarist Kevin ‘Thrasher’ Gruft and drummer Robert Ortiz are a particular joy to watch thrusting their guitars and drum sticks to the ceiling and cementing the fact that drummers don't have to sit for the entire show. Before their final song of the evening, vocalist Craig Mabbitt takes a quick second to wish his son a happy ninth birthday. It can be tough being on the road but hopefully shows like this make the long hours and endless miles all worth it. Escape The Fate show us that emo isn't dead and is in fact still going strong with the older crowd and newer fans alike, you just can't beat a good melody.
I wasn't lying about the charisma thing, everyone likes to single out Chris Jericho but the whole band are bursting at the seams with enthusiasm. Guitarist Rich Ward, donning a leopard print jacket doesn't waste any time playing with the front row and photographers alike throwing shapes for days. You could feel the energy in the room skyrocket as the band kick off into Sane from 2017’s album Boombox followed by One Crazed Anarchist and Nowhere to Run. Chris himself is in fine form hitting all the high notes joined by the audience singing every word.
It's easy to forget how long Fozzy have been active, originally merging in 1999 the band have seen a few lineup changes but have remained solid for a number of years now. This really shows by how tight they are as a unit, telepathically knowing what each member is about to do next, even when Rich decided to stick his guitar through Chris’ legs front and centre stage. A cover of Relax originally by Frankie Goes to Hollywood takes me off guard but fits so perfectly within their set. Ending with The Vulture Club the band briefly bow out before returning for an encore, of course it has to be Dirty Deeds and their biggest track Judas which has just under 57 million plays on Spotify. I entered the O2 tonight not knowing what to expect from each act but I left with one hell of a smile on my face all thanks to the charm of Scarlet Rebels, the attitude of Escape the Fate and of course the charisma from Fozzy.
Photo credits: Damian John Photography
