LIVE REVIEW: Breaking Benjamin @ O2 Academy, Birmingham
It’s been a whole decade since BREAKING BENJAMIN last had the privilege of gracing UK shores, and judging by the fact all four dates sold out almost instantly, they’ve been sorely missed. This is undoubtedly one of the hottest gigs of the week, even with competition from 2000trees, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and BRING ME THE HORIZON. If you’re a rock fan, this week is absolutely stacked. Arriving at the sweltering O2 Academy – upgraded from the original venue due to overwhelming demand – fans are already wrapped around the building long before doors open. They’re not queueing to escape the heat; they’re here for a band that has only visited the UK a handful of times, with no guarantee of when they’ll return. For many, this genuinely feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch one of the defining rock bands of the 2000s.
One thing is immediately clear: RETURN TO DUST arrived with two goals in mind – rock hard and make sure nobody forgets their name.
Their thick, 90s-inspired grunge sound is the perfect way to kick off the evening and fits naturally in front of a BREAKING BENJAMIN crowd. Dual vocals blend together brilliantly, adding plenty of depth, while guitarist Sebastian Gonzalez refuses to stand still for a second. Headbanging, jumping across the stage and attacking every riff like his life depends on it, he’s impossible to ignore.
The only real stumble comes with a stripped-back version of OUTKAST‘s Hey Ya!. Despite a few reluctant singalongs, it feels unnecessary and disrupts the momentum of an otherwise strong set. For a band that’s been around for four years, they already have more than enough original material to fill a solid 30-minute slot without relying on a cover. Still, that’s a minor complaint. RETURN TO DUST leave a strong first impression, and plenty of people in the crowd will no doubt be adding them to their playlists on the drive home.
Rating: 8/10
Support bands can sometimes feel like an odd fit, but CHEVELLE slot into the main support position perfectly. Their no-frills alternative rock is exactly what the packed O2 Academy needs. The three-piece make every minute of their 45-minute set count, digging deep into their back catalogue with a performance that offers something for everyone. Judging by the amount of heads nodding and voices joining in, they go down like air conditioning in the middle of a heatwave.
They also provide one of the night’s funniest moments, admitting they had to remind everyone who they were because they accidentally left their backdrop at home – and even if they hadn’t, it apparently wouldn’t have cleared customs in time for the show. It’s a light-hearted moment that gets a laugh from the crowd before they dive straight back into the riffs.
Rating: 9/10
BREAKING BENJAMIN waste absolutely no time getting down to business. Opening with I Will Not Bow, Until the End and Evil Angel, they hit the audience with a relentless run of fan favourites. With a new album due later this year and only two songs released so far, the band wisely resist the temptation to overload the set with new material. After such long gaps between UK tours, this crowd wants the songs they grew up with – and BREAKING BENJAMIN know exactly what they’re here to deliver.
Frontman Benjamin Burnley‘s voice is phenomenal throughout. Every note sounds effortlessly powerful, proving that time has done nothing to diminish his unmistakable vocal delivery. Combined with the additional vocalists on stage, the harmonies give many of the songs an extra layer of weight that makes them feel even bigger live than on record. One of the most heartwarming moments of the night comes courtesy of Burnley‘s son, Ben, who joins the band throughout the tour. Understandably nervous, he gradually grows into his role as his dad encourages him to speak to the crowd and introduce songs. Burnley proudly tells us that Ben also features on the upcoming album, making this an unforgettable introduction to life on the road. The audience quickly gets behind him too, chanting his name and visibly helping him settle as the night goes on. And what a set it is. With songs pulled from every studio album, BREAKING BENJAMIN know exactly how to keep the energy levels high. Whether it’s the crushing riffs of Polyamorous, the soaring emotion of Dance With the Devil or the massive singalong during Breath, every song lands with the impact you’d expect from a band of this calibre.
At one point, Burnley admits he wasn’t sure whether BREAKING BENJAMIN were still remembered in the UK, but judging by the deafening response throughout the evening, those doubts disappear almost instantly. The good news doesn’t stop there either. The band reveal they’ve found an easier route to Europe by travelling by boat, meaning they’re hopeful UK tours won’t be quite so rare in future. Burnley even jokes that they could return “maybe every two years”. After waiting a decade, fans would happily take him up on that offer.
Overall, this is exactly what everyone wanted from a BREAKING BENJAMIN headline show. The biggest hits, a taste of what’s still to come, and a reminder of why they’ve remained one of modern rock’s most beloved bands. Every song sounds immense, the atmosphere never drops, and seeing the next generation of the Burnley family stepping onto the stage offers a touching glimpse into the future. Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait another ten years to do it all again.
Rating: 10/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Birmingham from Serena Hill Photography here:
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