Alexisonfire, Billy Talent and Touché Amoré at the OVO Wembley, London
“So wait up, I’m not sleeping alone again tonight.“
On the hottest day of June, with temperatures soaring outside, 10,000 people packed into the OVO Wembley Arena to witness the long-awaited co-headlining return of two of Canada’s most influential rock bands: Billy Talent and Alexisonfire. Despite the sweltering heat, the atmosphere inside the arena was electric, as fans gathered to celebrate two decades of modern punk, post-hardcore, and alternative rock.
The night carried extra significance as it marked the opening date of Alexisonfire‘s 20 Years of Crisis celebration tour, commemorating the 20th anniversary of their landmark 2006 album. Widely regarded as the record that cemented the band’s legacy, Crisis remains a defining release in the metalcore genre. Kicking off the anniversary tour in London added an extra sense of occasion, with fans eager to relive an album that has soundtracked countless lives over the past two decades. Just three days later, the band was due to headline the Saturday bill at Outbreak Festival.
Opening the night were California post-hardcore outfit Touché Amoré, whose emotionally charged sound and intense live performances made them a fitting choice to set the tone for an evening rooted in the genre’s past and present. The band were also set to appear at Outbreak Festival in Manchester just days later, where they would perform their album Stage Four in full.
Wasting no time, Touché Amoré launched into the powerful “New Halloween,” immediately grabbing the attention of the growing crowd. Frontman Jeremy Bolm‘s impassioned delivery and raw emotion were evident from the opening lines, while the band’s tight, dynamic performance filled the arena with an intensity that belied their early-evening slot. They followed with the equally powerful “Come Heroine,” keeping the momentum high. Although many in attendance had arrived for the night’s Canadian headliners, Touché Amoré quickly won over the audience, preparing them all for an unforgettable night.
With the crowd fully warmed up, Billy Talent exploded onto the stage, wasting no time by opening with the ferocious “Devil in a Midnight Mass.” The track immediately ignited the arena, with thousands of fans singing every word back to the band as circle pits erupted across the standing floor. It was a statement of intent from the Canadian quartet, who have built their reputation on delivering relentlessly energetic live performances.
Their return to London was long overdue, having last played the capital at the Troxy alongside Spanx. Any time away was quickly forgotten as Benjamin Kowalewicz bounded across the stage with his trademark energy, while guitarist Ian D’Sa‘s razor-sharp riffs and Jon Gallant‘s driving basslines powered the set from start to finish.
Between songs, Kowalewicz spoke passionately about the theme of the evening – gratitude. Reflecting on the band’s journey, he admitted it was still difficult to believe that “a small band from Ontario, Canada” could one day find themselves performing to ten thousand people at the OVO Wembley Arena. His heartfelt words were met with loud cheers from an audience that has supported Billy Talent for more than two decades Throughout the performance, the giant screens projected archive footage spanning the band’s career, from early club shows. The nostalgic visuals served as a reminder of just how long the four members have been making music together.
During a sweltering 35-degree June evening in London, a short film depicting the Blizzard of 1977 in New York, an event that heavily inspired the stark, wintry imagery behind Alexisonfire’s concept album Crisis; lit up the big screen as the opening visuals of the night. After two decades, it was clear that the album still remains one of the most powerful and defining entries in the band’s discography.
From the moment the opening notes rang out, the atmosphere inside OVO Wembley shifted. Phones were nowhere to be seen as the crowd became fully immersed, voices rising in unison for “Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints”. The energy only intensified as the band launched into “This Could Be Anywhere in the World”, triggering a surge of movement that shook the arena’s floors.
As Alexisonfire are frequent visitors to the UK, this show marked their biggest headline performance in the English capital to date, and every member of the band rose to the occasion. From the first note to the final encore, they performed with total commitment, matching the scale of the moment with a sense of urgency and precision.
