📷CASKETS AT THE O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON: CHAOS, CATHARSIS & CROWD SURFING

Caskets wrapped up the UK leg of their 2025 headline tour in style at O2 Academy Islington, delivering a show that was as emotional as it was ferocious. With support from PALMIST and Colorblind, the night had everything: brutal breakdowns and even a cheeky 90s pop singalong.

Let me set the scene: By the time I got to the venue, the queue had already wrapped itself around Angel Central, full of eager fans who had clearly abandoned their Friday plans to secure the best spot in the house. Opening the night were Palmist, London’s alternative rock group who have a knack for getting people moving. Their set was packed with catchy hooks and a healthy dose of punchy riffs. Adding to the madness, their keyboard player didn't just stick to the keys—at one point, they whipped out a saxophone mid-set and absolutely smashed it. It was the kind of set where you think, "Oh, this is nice," and then suddenly find yourself two-stepping without realizing.

Any doubts about their place on the bill were firmly put to rest when they dropped Freak!, a track that blends metalcore with just enough groove to make you question whether you should be moshing or just vibing. The pit? Absolutely on it.

Next up were Colorblind, Texas’ dreamcore exports making their UK debut. If you’re a fan of Sleeping With Sirens, I See Stars, or anything that makes you want to simultaneously headbang and cry, these guys are for you. Their set mixed fan favorites from their 2022 self-titled EP with exclusive previews from their upcoming debut album (coming in September—mark your calendars, folks). With 28 million streams and counting, Colorblind aren’t just dipping their toes into the UK scene; they’re cannonballing in.

And then came the moment: the traditional pre-headliner DJ set that every metal gig secretly needs. Because what’s a night of breakdowns and guttural screams without a full-volume rendition of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time? Or the entire venue belting out Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way in perfect harmony? Just a room full of metalheads aggressively swaying and singing their hearts out. Unmatched vibes.

After a night of breakdowns and an unexpected boyband karaoke session, it was finally time for Caskets to take the stage—and they did not come to play. Kicking things off with Guiding Light, the energy in the room instantly went from “Friday night gig” to “religious experience.” Matt Flood’s vocals? Immaculate. The riffs? Filthy. The crowd? Absolutely feral.

Then, in classic Caskets style, we got a moment. Flood climbed onto the front barrier, fully trusting the fans to hold him up while he belted a song like some kind of post-hardcore messiah. I don’t think I've ever seen a band so connected to their crowd. It was pure, unfiltered magic, and honestly, it made me feel like I was part of something special—something real. At one point, he took a breather to thank everyone for coming out and teased “big things coming.” Naturally, the crowd responded like they’d just been told the world was ending. People screamed - Someone threw something (probably a shoe) Even in the madness, Caskets never lost that connection with their fans—something that makes them stand out in a sea of bands. They give everything on stage, and you can tell it means the world to them that we’re all there.

Setlist:

Guiding Light, Hate Me, More Than Misery, Hold Me Now, Drowned in Emotion, The Only , Silhouettes, By the Sound, Signs, Lost in Echoes, Glass Heart, Better Way Out.

Missed it? Don’t make that mistake twice. Tickets are at casketsband.com. Go. Now.