Live Review: Papa Roach – Birmingham

Live Review: Papa Roach – Utilita Arena, Birmingham

5th November 2026
Support: Landmvrks, Sleep Theory
Words: Tim Finch
Photos: Harris Tomlinson-Spence

The Utilita Arena Birmingham was in for a night of modern metal, explosive energy and plenty of nostalgia as Papa Roach brought their latest tour to the city. With French metalcore outfit Landmvrks and rising alternative rock act Sleep Theory opening proceedings.

Sleep Theory were first up, wasting little time in making their presence felt. Their blend of alternative metal, hard rock and even a bit of R’n’B provided an accessible introduction to the evening, with songs ‘Fallout’, ‘Just a Mistake’ and ‘Gravity’ showcasing the band’s telents. ‘Giving In’ and ‘Words Are Worthless’ maintained the momentum, while ‘Stuck in My Head’ and ‘Numb’ gave the crowd further opportunities to get involved. Closing with ‘Static’, Sleep Theory delivered a solid opening set, demonstrating why they are beginning to attract attention beyond their growing fanbase.

Landmvrks brought a very different energy to the stage, turning up the intensity with a set that leaned heavily into their metalcore roots. Opening with ‘Creature’ and ‘Death’, the French outfit immediately established themselves as a formidable live proposition. Their combination of crushing riffs, aggressive vocals gave the performance an edge. ‘A Line in the Dust’ and ‘La valse du temps’ continued to showcase this, while ‘Sulfur’ kept the pressure firmly on.

‘Lost in a Wave’ provided one of the set’s standout moments, with its combination of ferocity and infectious hooks giving the Birmingham crowd plenty to get behind. ‘Blood Red’ and ‘Self-Made Black Hole’ brought proceedings to a suitably heavy conclusion, leaving the audience with a taste of what Landmvrks are capable of. They may have occupied the middle slot, but their performance had the confidence and intensity of a headline act. For anyone unfamiliar with the band, this was an impressive introduction, and they certainly looked like a band ready for bigger stages.

By the time Papa Roach arrived, the atmosphere inside Utilita Arena had reached another level. Opening with ‘Between Angels and Insects’, they immediately tapped into the energy that has kept them relevant for so long. ‘Kill the Noise’ and ‘…To Be Loved’ followed, before ‘She Loves Me Not’ and ‘Getting Away With Murder’ took the audience further back through their catalogue. Jacoby Shaddix remains an engaging frontman, constantly working the stage and connecting with the crowd, while the band behind him delivered the songs with the power and precision expected.

‘See U in Hell’ and ‘Liar’ kept things moving before a planned medley of  ‘Blind’ and Deftones’ ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ was briefly interrupted, with the band pausing just before the song began due to an issue in the crowd.

‘BRAINDEAD’ brought the intensity straight back, followed by ‘Help’, ‘Falling Apart’ and ‘Tightrope’. The set continued to move between the band’s heavier material and the more melodic moments that have become such an important part of their identity. ‘Always Wandering’ provided a change of pace before ‘Scars’ delivered one of the evening’s most emotionally charged moments. It remains one of Papa Roach’s most recognisable songs, and its huge chorus was met with a strong response from across the arena.

A cover of The Prodigy’s ‘Firestarter’ added another dimension to the performance, before ‘Blood Brothers’ brought the aggression back to the forefront. There was still time for a couple more surprises, with ‘Break Stuff’ and ‘Chop Suey’ incorporated into the closing stretch, giving the audience a taste of two more nu-metal favourites. Then came the inevitable finale. ‘Last Resort’ remains the song that introduced Papa Roach to a generation of rock and metal fans, sounding as fresh today as when they played it in Birmingham for the first time at the old Carling Academy twenty five years ago!

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