The first major arena show of 2025 took place at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. An eager crowd gathered for the final night of Wage War and Papa Roach’s UK arena tour. With torches flashing in excitement, fans waited in anticipation for an unforgettable night of metalcore and rock anthems.
As smoke began to fill the stage, and the lights dimmed to a moody blue, Florida-based metalcore band Wage War took the stage. Their setlist was a dynamic mix of tracks from their latest album, Stigma (2024), alongside fan-favourite songs from their previous releases. Known for their ability to blend metalcore, nu-metal, post-hardcore, and electronic elements, Wage War wasted no time setting the night’s tone.
The show kicked off with THE SHOW’S ABOUT TO START, the intense opener from Stigma. The industrial soundscapes, eerie electronics, and distorted riffs built tension before erupting into crushing heaviness. Vocalist Briton Bond passionately exclaimed, “You’re in this room right here and right now, can you feel it?” a cue for the crowd to engage fully.
The energy surged with Godspeed, a track infused with a nu-metal-inspired riff and the contrast of Bond’s aggressive screams and guitarist Cody Quistad’s soaring clean vocals. Red lights flashed in sync with the breakdown as Bond growled, “And now you’re dead to me,” sending the crowd into a synchronised frenzy of headbanging.
Heavy-hitting moments continued with Low, featuring pummelling breakdowns and lyrics addressing struggles with mental health. The crowd responded with a chaotic mosh pit, further intensifying during NAIL5, which opened with a rap-infused intro before diving into electronic soundscapes and guttural screams under a blood-red glow.
A shift in tone came with BLUR, a more melodic moment showcasing the harmonic interplay between Bond and Quistad. It provided a brief respite before Bond rallied the crowd: “Liverpool, where are my metalheads at? I want to see a big circle pit.” The call-to-action signalled the arrival of TOMBSTONE, a track that embodied groove-heavy riffs and full-throttle aggression, igniting a whirlwind of movement on the floor.
The penultimate track, MAGNETIC, leaned into more melancholic vocals, exploring themes of toxic attraction and self-destruction, with the pounding drums mirroring the emotional turmoil of the lyrics. Closing out the set, Manic brought an experimental mix of rap, glitchy electronic beats, and relentless metalcore, capturing the chaotic energy Wage War thrives on. Despite the mixed reception to Stigma, the band proved that their live performance elevates their sound, striking a balance between brutality and melody.
As the lights dimmed once more, the moment the crowd had been waiting for arrived, Papa Roach, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their breakthrough album Infest (2000). The band delivered a career-spanning setlist packed with classic hits, deep cuts, and fresh material, proving their evolution from nu-metal pioneers to modern rock heavyweights.
Opening with their new track Even If It Kills Me, the band was silhouetted behind a massive stage curtain featuring a simple roach design before dramatically launching onto the stage. Vocalist Jacoby Shaddix wasted no time in commanding the crowd: “Open the pit!” a command met with unrelenting energy as flames erupted on stage, matching the intensity of the lyrics: “I won’t run, I won’t hide, standing in the fire, I’m alive.”
Following the fiery introduction, Shaddix greeted the Liverpool crowd with genuine enthusiasm, declaring, “It’s good to be back!” before diving into Dead Cell, a high adrenaline deep cut from Infest. Inflatable balls bounced through the arena as fists punched the air in unison, amplifying the song’s rebellious spirit. Shaddix made sure to connect with the crowd, even stepping off stage to join them during …To Be Loved, turning the anthem into an unforgettable singalong moment.
A standout moment came during Kill The Noise, a track fusing heavy guitars with electronic elements. Before the breakdown, Shaddix teased, “Are you ready to go insane?” before launching into raw, aggressive screams. The set maintained its dark intensity with Getting Away With Murder, contrasting with the hip-hop-infused energy of Swerve and Liar, both funk-laced, rap-metal offerings that highlighted the band’s versatility.
Between songs, Shaddix took time to address mental health, announcing that £1 from every ticket sold would be donated to suicide prevention charity CALM. He spoke candidly about his personal struggles, sobriety, and how music has served as a lifeline, reminding fans that they are never alone. This sentiment seamlessly transitioned into Forever, followed by a poignant tribute to Linkin Park with the song In The End. Shaddix even makes a speech, saying that the “Melodie’s and lyrics were so brutally honest and identified with it” and that they helped him pour his thoughts and feelings into his music.
The emotional core of the night arrived with Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark), an acoustic-driven ballad that saw the entire arena illuminated by phone torches in a breathtaking display of unity. During Scars, a brief pause was necessary due to a crowd incident, which Shaddix immediately noticed and responded to, reinforcing his deep care for the audience’s safety.
As the main set ended, the crowd cheered for an encore. The band returned to deliver a nostalgic encore, kicking off with Between Angels and Insects and Infest. The energy was electric as fans rapped along to the iconic verses of Between Angels and Insects, a song that still resonates with its themes of materialism and corporate greed. The intensity continued with Infest, delivering raw, early 2000s nu-metal aggression in full force.
The night reached its peak with a medley of nu-metal anthems. Blind brought in raw, chugging riffs and eerie atmospheres, reminiscent of Korn’s signature unsettling sound. My Own Summer (Shove It) exploded with Deftones’ dreamy yet aggressive contrast, as Shaddix encouraged the crowd to sway and then burst into chaos with the chorus. The energy surged to its peak with Break Stuff as Limp Bizkit’s rage-fuelled anthem turned the arena into a storm of headbanging and bouncing. Finally, Chop Suey! paid tribute to System Of A Down’s iconic sound, with its fast-paced, chaotic energy getting the entire crowd screaming along to the unforgettable chorus.
Closing the night on an explosive high, Last Resort, the defining track of the 2000s nu-metal scene, had the entire arena screaming every lyric in unison, ensuring the night ended on an unforgettable note.
Going into the show with no expectations, Papa Roach delivered an electrifying performance far exceeding anticipation. Even after two decades, their passion, energy, and ability to command an audience remain unmatched. Fans continued to fuel their longevity, and the band’s gratitude and mutual respect for their audience were palpable throughout the night. Between Wage War’s crushing performance and Papa Roach’s nostalgic yet revitalised energy, this arena show set a powerful precedent for 2025. Whether a longtime fan or a newcomer, this tour proved why Papa Roach remains dominant in the rock and metal scene.
Zena Morris
