LIVE REVIEW: As Everything Unfolds @ O2 Islington Academy, London

Off the back of a hectic festival season, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS play the second of two exclusive UK headline shows at Islington Academy. In celebration of the release of their sophomore album Ultraviolet, the night marks the quintet’s biggest headline show to date – with the room rapidly filling in anticipation.

TROPIC GOLD kick off proceedings and deliver a short but punchy performance that gets the room shaking. A few technical difficulties delay the start of their set, but all is soon forgiven. A mere four songs in, and the first crowd surf of the evening takes place – not bad for a bleak Wednesday evening. Spanning through tracks from their forthcoming EP, What A Wonderful Experience, tonight’s gig goers are like putty in their hands – with the whoops and cheers getting louder as their set nears its conclusion.

Rating: 7/10

Main support tonight comes in the form of hyper-pop infused duo, LAKE MALICE who were a recent addition to the bill following EAT YOUR HEART OUT’s unfortunate departure from the tour. Formed during the height of COVID, LAKE MALICE are on an upwards incline with vocalist Alice Guala and guitarist Blake Cornwall being no strangers to a sizeable stage such as tonight’s. Launching into Magic Square, the band make it clear they aren’t here to muck around and the crowd; flooded with pockets of adoring fans, are more than happy to oblige. With only a handful of tracks currently under their belt, their thirty minute showcase is both brutal and endearing. Bloodbath and Stop The Party are amongst the favourites of the evening, before closing on their first release Blossom, which continues to age like fine wine. LAKE MALICE are set to be the next big thing and if their current success is anything to go by, they won’t be playing to intimate crowds for much longer. Simply put, show up or miss out.

Rating: 9/10

Deafening cheers ricochet the venue’s walls as the lights go down for AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS who file out onto the Islington Academy’s main stage. Title track, Ultraviolet opens the band’s explosive set – a worthy opener for this era. Charlie Rolfe announces her unfortunate struggle with laryngitis but nevertheless delivers a spine-tingling performance as the powerhouse vocalist she is rightfully known for. With Ultraviolet tracks at the forefront, the band take London by storm and deliver an energetic performance that is nothing short of excellent.

Hiding From Myself marks the first WELTO (Within Each Lies The Other) appearance of the night and is met with roars of applause. Slowing things down for a number, Grayscale is dedicated to the band’s late friend Ryan Chisholm – adding a touch of poignancy. Singles, Felt Like Home and their mammoth hit, On The Inside round off the show in style and the band gather to the front of the stage for an obligatory crowd snap. Going from strength to strength, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS have worked incredibly hard over the years and tonight’s show is proof of that testament.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in London from Claire Hodgkins Photography here: 

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