LIVE REVIEW: Spiritbox, Periphery, Stray From The Path, Alexandra Palace, London, 13/02/2025
Photo Credit: Maryleen Guevara
Since the release of their debut album, Eternal Blue, in 2021 Spiritbox have quickly built themselves a reputation as one of the leaders of the metal scene. With two Grammy nominations, a collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion and main stage slots at European major festivals already under their belt, it is, perhaps, a surprise that this is only Spiritbox’s 10th ever headline show in the UK. What is not a surprise, however, is the size of this show, in headlining a 10,000 capacity venue like Alexandra Palace, Spiritbox have very quickly surpassed the vast majority of their contemporaries before they have even released their second album.
The anticipation is thick in the air from the minute the doors open, but first we get to enjoy the two support bands: Stray From The Path and Periphery. For many bands opening the show in front of such a partisan audience and leaving any sort of lasting impression might be a step too far, but For Stray From The Path it is another Thursday night.
It feels like a right of passage for all metalcore bands – go out on tour with Stray and prove you can hang. Most can’t. From Every Time I Die to Architects, While She Sleeps to Beartooth, Stray From The Path have made their name by blowing the biggest bands in their scene off the stage. Stray From The Path give the crowd exactly what they need – thirty minutes of non-stop energy to get the whole room bouncing. The set is confirmed as another job well done at the half way point when singer Andrew Dijorio asks for “100 crowd surfers” during their next song and London doesn’t let him down. Unfortunately, what does let them down slightly is the sound quality in the room. Alexandra Palace is notorious for its poor sound and too often tonight the drums overwhelm everything else in the mix, robbing the breakdowns of some of their usual power.
American-Prog metallers Periphery are up next and whilst they don’t bring the same energy as the nights opener, they fare much better with the sound system. With their huge riffs and melodies Periphery are a much more natural fit as an opener for Spiritbox but struggle much more to get a response from the audience. It takes three or four songs for Periphery to earn a reaction from the crowd but by the time they drop into Marigold they have people head-banging from front to back and the nights first big sing-along. Every member of Periphery is a master of their instrument and together they form one of the tightest live bands you are ever likely to see. No matter how technical and intricate the songs get every member is fully locked in with one another for the full forty-five minutes. Whilst Periphery don’t quite bring the same energy as Stray From The Path, they do bring huge songs that sound custom made for rooms this big.
After all the anticipation, Spiritbox finally take to the stage and it all feels oddly flat. Maybe it’s nerves, maybe it’s the sound quality of the venue, maybe it’s opening with an unreleased song, but it takes a few songs for the set to really hit its stride. However once Jaded starts as their third song, the singalongs start and don’t stop. As the set rolls on the band seem to shake off the nerves and as their confidence grows so do the reactions from the crowd. With the audience now firmly in their hands, the night peaks when Courtney LaPlante brings out a pair of hardcore fans for an on-stage marriage proposal. From that point onwards the vibe in the room is pure celebration right through to the end.
Across the three videos released to preview their forthcoming album, Tsunami Sea, Spiritbox have established a futuristic black and white aesthetic that carries over into the production built for this tour. With huge video walls, a kabuki drop and confetti cannons to close the night, this is a full-on arena rock show that proves Spiritbox now belong in rooms this size.
At the centre of it all is LaPlante. From the second she takes the stage all eyes are on her and the success of the show rests of her shoulders. Her incredible vocal range and star appeal shines immediately but it is her down to earth personality that endears her most to the crowd. Calling herself a “nervous yapper” she is refreshingly honest and unrehearsed when addressing the crowd and has London hanging on every word.
From here it seems the only way is up for Spiritbox. The wait for their second album, Tsunami Sea, is almost over and promises to elevate the band even further up metals pecking order. Later this summer they take to the main stage at Download Festival and then there’s the small matter of gracing the iconic stage of Wembley stadium with Linkin Park. Whilst tonight is the biggest headline show of Spiritbox’s career so far, it is obvious to everyone at Alexandra Palace that it won’t stay that way for long.
Written By: Maryleen Guevara
