WELSH POP-PUNKERS NECK DEEP CONNECT WITH FANS IN A SOLD OUT BRISTOL HEADLINE
LIVE REVIEW | NECK DEEP w/ One Step Closer, The Wonder Years | BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY 30th January 2025 by Ollie Hayman
Pop Punk legends Neck Deep returned to Bristol last week, absolutely destroying their set at the O2 Academy!
After the success of their self-titled album released early last year, playing the infamous Alexandra Palace and getting in a double shift at Reading and Leeds, the Wrexham based five piece added a UK tour to the mix too.
One Step Closer
First up on the line up tonight was Pennsylvania band One Step Closer and were nothing short of fantastic. Without reservation, front man Ryan Savitski urged the crowd to get off their feet and bounce, readying the sold-out O2 Academy for the next two acts. An extremely energetic band, who wears their influences (blink-182, Green Day) on their sleeve in their live shows.
The Wonder Years
Next up, The Wonder Years. The band actually took Neck Deep on their first ever tour in 2013, citing a full circle moment and thanking Neck Deep for remembering. Their stage presence was fantastic and listening to the crowd sing along to the majority of their set made it feel more like a co-headline rather than just supporting. Hits such as ‘Came Out Swinging‘ and ‘Cardinals‘ were sung in perfect chorus from the room, with one member of the audience on barrier even reciting every word of vocalist Dan Campbell’s speeches word for word. Finishing off their set, Campbell went ad lib a talk about politics, saying “no human is illegal” as well chants of “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine”.
Neck Deep
When the moment finally arrived for the band everyone had been eagerly anticipating, Neck Deep took the stage with a bang. They brought along a flurry of confetti cannons, and both guitarists dazzled the audience with their synchronized spins, captivating the tightly packed crowd. Songs like ‘Dumbstruck, Dumbfuck’, ‘Sort Yourself Out’, and ‘It Won’t Be Like This Forever’ kicked off an energetic set and with a little encouragement from front man Ben Barlow, the audience dove into surfing and moshing, making the most of the limited space.
Reflecting on the strong connection between the music and the fans, Ben reiterated that message of support throughout their set. They had different songs for everyone, whether it was for “the lovers in the room” or those “going through a shit time”, highlighting the deep connection of their fanbase. A personal highlight has to be hearing a deep cut like ‘I Revolve’, and the sound of the whole room singing back every word; a true testament to the band’s lasting impact.
They wrapped up the main set with the classic ‘December’ before stepping off for an encore. Ben playfully told the crowd, “We’ll only come back if you all behave, so don’t shout anything like ‘fuck Neck Deep’ or we won’t return!” and in good spirits, the 1600 fans responded with a chorus of “Fuck Neck Deep”. The three-song encore flew by, culminating in the finale ‘In Bloom’ and, of course, a shower of confetti.
Neck Deep’s early 2025 tour has now came to an end, with the band preparing for a stint down under beginning in Fremantle, WA on April 21st. They will next play back on UK soil when they perform at this years Slam Dunk Festival in May. Full details on all upcoming live appearances can be found by heading to https://www.neckdeepuk.com/tour
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