Live Review: Biffy Clyro - Utilit Arena, Birmingham
16th January 2026
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
Biffy Clyro rolled into the Utilita Arena Birmingham tonight, midway through the UK leg of their “The Futique” tour, and delivered a masterclass in how to command a room this size without losing an ounce of heart. With a bill stacked by the feral intensity of The Armed and the snarling chaos of Soft Play, each band pushed the pressure higher before Biffy blew the roof clean off.
The Armed opened proceedings like a clenched fist to the senses. Bursting straight into ‘Fortune's Daughter’, they filled the arena with a wall of confrontational noise, refusing to ease the crowd in gently. ‘ALL FUTURES’ and 'King Breaker' hit with industrial precision, the band sounding both tightly drilled and barely contained.
By the time ‘Well-Made Play’ and ‘Local Millionaire’ landed, The Armed had fully asserted their purpose. ‘On Jupiter’ closed their set in a haze of distortion and controlled chaos, leaving the arena buzzing and more than ready for what came next.
Soft Play arrived with no intention of letting the energy dip. ‘All Things’ and ‘Mirror Muscles’ came thick and fast, the duo instantly commanding the room with their trademark blend of bile, humour and brute force. ‘Isaac Is Typing…’ and ‘Fuck the Hi-Hat’ were delivered with snarling glee, the crowd feeding off every shouted syllable.
Mid-set highlights like ‘Act Violently’ and ‘Punk’s Dead’ turned the arena into a bouncing, sweaty mass, while ‘Girl Fight’ and ‘Beauty Quest’ showcased how effortlessly Soft Play balance aggression with hooks. ‘The Hunter’ closed their set like a final provocation, daring anyone not to be fully warmed up for the headliners.
When Biffy Clyro emerged, the roar said it all. ‘A Little Love’ and ‘Hunting Season’ set a confident tone, before ‘That Golden Rule’ and ‘Who’s Got a Match?’ reminded everyone just how devastating Biffy can be when they lean into the heavy stuff. The band sounded enormous and razor sharp.
The middle stretch was packed with variety and emotion. ‘Shot One’, ‘Space’ and ‘Wolves of Winter’ (complete with a blast of streamers) kept the adrenaline high, while ‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’ and ‘Goodbye’ offered softer moments without losing momentum. ‘Friendshipping’ and ‘Biblical’ were met with huge singalongs, the arena unified voice to voice.
Biffy continued to dig deep with ‘A Thousand and One’, ‘Different People’ and’ A Hunger in Your Haunt’, before ‘Black Chandelier’ drew one of the loudest reactions of the night. ‘Instant History’ and ‘Mountains’ felt tailor-made for a room this size, soaring and defiant.
The closing run was pure Biffy Clyro theatre. ‘Two People in Love’ and ‘Machines’ slowed things down just enough to catch a breath, before ‘The Captain’ reignited the crowd. ‘Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies’ and ‘Bubbles’ hit like old friends returning with renewed force.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
