“Love them or hate them, they’re brilliant, driven, and undeniably magnetic. They achieve so much, you’d almost resent them—if it weren’t for their charisma.” That, in a nutshell, defines the rockstar persona. And if Alexa were to elaborate, she could just say two words: “Tom Meighan.”
On Friday night, Meighan took the stage at Bristol’s O2, reaffirming his place as one of the most electrifying frontmen of his generation. From the moment he stormed the stage in a fur coat and red shades, it was clear this was a man in full command of his powers. He thrives in the spotlight, and on this night, the stage wasn’t just his—it was his playground.
Opening with Kasabian’s 2009 hit “Underdog,” Meighan immediately transported the crowd back to a golden era for many in the audience. The collective nostalgia was palpable. By the third track, “Don’t Give In,” Meighan had transformed from his former self into something more—Meighan 2.0, fully embodying his rebirth. This track, pulled from his 2023 album The Reckoning, stands as a defiant anthem of resilience and revival, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable night.
Meighan has always straddled the line between larger-than-life rockstar and the relatable guy you’d grab a pint with. That authenticity is one of his greatest assets. It shines through on the new material, which strikes the perfect balance between raw energy and melodic brilliance. “High On You,” in particular, feels like classic Meighan—an anthemic, foot-stomping number that instantly won over the crowd. “It’s alright, that, innit?” Meighan quipped afterward, flashing the trademark charm that has made him so beloved.
The new album, The Reckoning, showcases a rejuvenated Meighan, brimming with raw power, fuzz-laden riffs, and choruses destined to be sung in unison by festival crowds. Standout tracks include “Headcase,” “We Can Do It,” and “White Lies.” But it was the tender “Would You Mind” that delivered the emotional high point of the night, leaving even the toughest audience members visibly moved.
Meighan’s perfectionism is well-documented, and the delayed release of Roadrunner, now pushed to January, only underscores his commitment to getting it right. He spoke about the delay with a sense of responsibility—this is an album not just for him but for his fans, and it needs to be perfect.
But in the heat of the night, the crowd cared little about album delays. They were there to escape, to lose themselves in Meighan’s music for a few hours. In many ways, Meighan’s music has always been a lifeline for fans. And that’s why the eruption of pure joy when he dove into Kasabian’s back catalog felt so significant. For many, Meighan is Kasabian, and hearing him perform their iconic hits felt like a homecoming. Whether holding the mic out to the crowd or standing with arms outstretched like a rock-and-roll messiah, Meighan soaked in the energy, feeding off the audience’s adulation. “I feed off this,” he said, grinning ear to ear.
While Meighan’s presence was the undeniable focal point, his band deserves applause for their tight, dynamic performance. Keyboardist and guitarist Bnann Infadel, bassist Ele Lucas, lead guitarist Chris Haddon, guitarist Brodie Maguire, and drummer Gareth Young laid down a rock-solid foundation for Meighan to unleash his full range.
One of the night’s most spine-tingling moments came during the post-“L.S.F.” singalong, where the crowd simply refused to let the song end. These are the rare, transcendent moments in live music that remind you why nothing else can replicate the power of a great gig.
The three-song encore cemented Meighan’s status as one of the greatest frontmen of his time. Alternating between the hard-charging 2022 track “Movin’ On” and the forever iconic “Fire,” Meighan left no doubt that whether you call him version 1.0 or 2.0, his place in rock history is secure. It was, without question, one of the standout performances of the year.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
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