Bristol O2 Academy, 13th March
If there’s one band you shouldn’t underestimate, it’s Sleeping With Sirens. A staple piece to any emo in the 2010s, the Orlando band have had hit after hit throughout the years, solidifying themselves as one of the greatest post hardcore bands this century.
Their live performances certainly live up to the group’s hype. Playing O2 Academy Bristol on a rainy Monday in March, pulling in a large crowd which travelled from across the south west to see the band, some even travelling from across the Welsh border to see the first night of the CTRL + ALT + DEL tour.
An electric return to the city of Bristol for the band, it goes without saying that support band Static Dress have also had a lot of excitement built around them. Fronted by the unreserved Olli Appleyard, the band hailing from Leeds built a kind of excitement around the show that many support acts can fail to draw. The band graced us with an electrifying performance of ‘clean.’ before leaving the stage, among various other songs from their discography, leaving the crowd hungry and wanting more. Crowd surfers during a support act can always be considered a good sign.
Sirens’ setlist, expanded over multiple successful albums for the band. The group certainly favoured quality over quantity, something I personally wish may more artists considered when building a setlist. With a perfect mix of old and new, the band honoured the many hits they’ve had over the years, including the iconic ‘If You Can’t Hang’ and ‘If I’m James Dean…’, and of course, their classic cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ hit ‘Iris’, with a flawless vocal performance from frontman Kellin Quinn and an ode to the band’s incredible versatility as musicians. We even got an interesting beatboxing performance from the man himself – surprising, that’s for sure.
A switch-up of the set, the audience were treated to a small interval from the band with renditions of fan favourites from their highly-regarded 2012 acoustic EP ‘If you were a movie, this would be your soundtrack’, including ‘Roger Rabbit’ and ‘With Ears To See And Eyes To Hear’. It was really something special to hear a couple of songs from the EP within the setlist, and incredibly nostalgic for us veteran emos within the venue.
It’s clear to any how much music means to Sleeping With Sirens. Their impressive discography and passionate live performances clearly evidence their dedication to their craft and the people who have made everything happen for them: their fans.
I’ll be sticking them on the next time the headphones go on after leaving a lasting impression on myself and many after their Bristol performance.
📸📝 Daisy Kent – Music Photographer
Daisy Kent @daisylkent
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Hi! I'm Daisy, and I'm a music photographer and digital creative. I also write live music reviews.
Qualifications: 2:1 in BA Photography: Editorial and Advertising at the University of Gloucestershire.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Mcfly at Westonbirt Arboretum, June 2009.
First gig shot: My first photo gig was The Stranglers at O2 Academy Bristol, in March 2019. My first writing and photo gig was Bastille at Marble Factory, in February 2022.
Dream gig: Taylor Swift, 100%. No doubt.
