Nothing But Thieves at the Motorpoint Arena ÔÇô 19/11/18

By Tom Luton

Nothing But Thieves stratospheric rise over the last three years has been truly impressive to watch.
Since the release of their promising self-titled debut in 2015, the band have well and truly begun
their ascent into the upper echelons of UK rock music, playing to huge audiences across the world
whilst supporting the likes of Muse and Biffy Clyro and having their follow up album (2017ÔÇÖs
excellent ÔÇÿBroken MachineÔÇÖ) chart at number 2 on the UK album charts. The release of their 4-track
stop-gap EP last month, the blistering ÔÇÿWhat Did You Think When You Made Me This WayÔÇÖ, and the
commencement of this UK wide arena tour only further cement their status as one of the countryÔÇÖs
finest bands. Based off the performance I witnessed in Cardiff, the only way is up for the
precociously talented 5-piece.

However, the night got off to a fairly muted start, with the Brighton based trio Demob Happy failing
to truly ignite the Cardiff crowd. On record, there is much to admire about the bands hard-hitting
blend of the relentless stoner-rock of bands such as Queens of The Stone Age; the bass riffs off Royal
Blood, 90ÔÇÖs grunge, and 60ÔÇÖs psychedelia. However, live it largely fell flat, descending into a
monotonous, sluggish cacophony of guitar, drum and bass; that was devoid of melody, personality
or charm. They were followed by the Anglo-Australian surfer trio Sunset Sons, who despite the
inherent likeability of their laidback, keyboard-centric take on indie rock, once again failed to truly
connect with the crowd, their presence providing an awkward fit for the event and putting a damper
on the energy of the crowd.

However, any misgivings I had about the choice of support soon dissolved as the stage-obscuring
smoke evaporated and the headliners took the stage. From the opening kick beat of ÔÇÿI Was Just a
KidÔÇÖ to the closing synths of ÔÇÿAmsterdamÔÇÖ, the band held the crowd in the palm of their hand,
delivering an enrapturing and fierce performance with a strong setlist that drew tracks from both of
their studio albums, whilst also giving the more recent singles such as the thunderous ÔÇÿForever and
Ever MoreÔÇÖ and sweeping ÔÇÿTake This Lonely HeartÔÇÖ a chance to shine. The bandÔÇÖs unique ability to
distil their multiple influences (Jeff Buckley, early Muse, Radiohead, Hot Fuss era Killers, The Pixies,

Nirvana) into anthemic slices of modern rock without losing their own distinctive sound translates
perfectly in a live setting, the crowd screaming every word back to them. Connor MasonÔÇÖs
spellbinding vocals are somehow even more powerful in person, his voice as effective when belting
out the ferocious electro-rock anthem ÔÇÿLive Like AnimalsÔÇÖ( a searing take down of the rise of the
modern right wing, with Mason venomously spitting out lines such as ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre gonna make ÔÇÿem build
a wall/weÔÇÖre gonna live like animalsÔÇØ) as when stripped back for raw and deeply moving ballads such
as ÔÇÿParticlesÔÇÖ and the heart-breaking ÔÇÿIf I Get HighÔÇÖ. After a rapturous sing along to the soaring
ÔÇÿSorryÔÇÖ, the band briefly left the stage, making way for an encore that descends into a crowd
rendition of Bruce ChannelÔÇÖs party classic ÔÇÿHey BabyÔÇÖ. The band soon returned for a three-song
encore, closing with a heroic performance of ÔÇÿAmsterdamÔÇÖ, a song surely destined to be a set closer
for years to come, such is its visceral power and effectiveness as a crowd sing along. As the band left
the stage for the night, Cardiff was left buzzing with the realisation they had witnessed a band at the
height of their powers. Should Nothing But Thieves continue to develop their sound and reputation
as a live band, major festival headline slots and number 1 albums surely await.

Setlist:
1) I Was Just a Kid
2) Ban All the Music
3) Wake Up Call
4) Take This Lonely Heart
5) Soda
6) Broken Machine
7) IÔÇÖm Not Made by Design
8) Live Like Animals
9) Number 13
10) You Know Me Too Well
11) Particles
12) If I Get High
13) Trip Switch
14) Forever and Ever More
15) Sorry
Encore:
16) Afterlife
17) Itch
18) Amsterdam