Knocked Loose Host Iconic Night of Hardcore at Brixton’s O2 Academy [Photos]

Although the doors to the O2 Academy in Brixton weren’t set to open until 7 pm, a queue had already wrapped around the venue hours before. Fans, new and old, had clearly been waiting for this moment for a long time, and the usual rumours of special guests and surprises had already begun. Trucks with huge screens also circled the venue, blasting tracks from You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, Knocked Loose’s latest album.

Although the screens and music brought great entertainment for those who had been waiting in the cold for the last few hours, it wasn’t just for show – the screens also displayed a QR code that led to the Outbreak Festival website. This summer, Knocked Loose will be headlining the festival, and the excitement surrounding the event was impossible to ignore. It seems that many of the fans at tonight’s event are also planning to head to Outbreak this year to catch a glimpse of Knocked Loose again.

As the doors opened and the crowd filtered inside, the venue quickly filled up. Pest Control, the opening band of the night, were set to hit the stage just 15 minutes later, so for those who wanted to get a good spot, there wasn’t time to grab a drink or to hit the merch table. It didn’t take long for the crowd to split into their groups – towards the front and sides of the venue, you had the fans looking for a more relaxed experience, casually staking out their spots. Meanwhile, right in the center, the seasoned hardcore crowd gathered. You could already feel the tension building in the pit area, with those ready to dive straight into the chaos of the mosh pits staking their ground. It was clear from the get-go that this wouldn’t be a calm night.

Leeds hardcore band Pest Control kicked off the night as the opening act. Before they even stepped on stage, the crowd was already chanting their name. Usually, the first band of the night has a tough time getting people moving, but as soon as Pest Control launched into their set, the energy in the room exploded. Although they only had a 25-minute set, they used every second to their full advantage – running and jumping all over the stage and interacting with the crowd as much as possible. By the time they wrapped up, they’d done exactly what a great opening band should – properly warmed up the room, and no doubt gained plenty of new fans along the way.

Next up was Harm’s Way, kicking off their set in a haze of red and blue strobes and thick smoke. The intense lighting made it hard to see the stage, which was a shame, as many likely missed the very start of their performance. But once things cleared, the band’s relentless energy took over. Their gritty riffs and thumping rhythms kept the momentum up, and before long, the first wave of crowd surfers started pouring over the barricade.

The penultimate band of the night, Basement, had clearly been highly anticipated by many, as shown by the many Basement t-shirts scattered throughout the crowd. Their soft grunge sound offered a refreshing change of pace, providing a welcome break from the intensity of the night so far. But while their tone may have been a bit softer, their energy remained on par with the previous two bands. Mosh pits continued to whirl in the crowd, and the voices from the audience grew louder, especially during their popular hit, ‘Are You The One’, as fans sang along at the top of their lungs.

But it wasn’t until they played their biggest hit, “Covet,” that the excitement truly reached its peak. The energy in the room went up another notch and the crowd’s voices were almost as loud as the venue amps. The atmosphere was incredible, and a sea of phones appeared in the air as fans desperately tried to capture the moment.

As their set came to an end, the crowd began to shift, readying themselves for the headliners, Knocked Loose. It was clear that for some, being in the middle of a Knocked Loose crowd was not for them, so they took this time to find a safer spot. It’s strange to see a gig where the sides and back of the venue are just as tightly packed as the front and centre.

The start of Knocked Loose’s set felt like the beginning of a horror movie. A glowing green cross flickered to life at the center of the stage, casting an eerie glow. The band emerged in total darkness, and the crowd screamed! They began their set with “Thirst” – the first track from their latest album – accompanied by blinding strobe lights that matched the intense rhythm of the music.

Frontman Bryan Garris wasted no time setting the pace for the set, sprinting back and forth across the stage, screaming and punching the air in time with the music. The crowd responded immediately, surging forward and screaming along, their power matching the chaos unfolding on stage. Throughout the night, they played almost every track from You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, with the only omission being “Slaughterhouse 2”, which features Chris Motionless on the album.

Most of the setlist was drawn from the last five years of their discography, but they made room for some older fan favourites – “Deadringer,” “Billy No Mates,” and their big hit “Counting Worms.” “Billy No Matesq2 was arguably the highlight of the night, as Bryan Garris called out, “Ladies and gentlemen,” before welcoming Kadeem France of Loathe to the stage. The crowd cheered, clearly thrilled by the surprise guest. Among the excitement, one fan could be heard shouting, “I will never get over this moment!”

The night came to a close with “Sit & Mourn,” the final track from their latest album. As the last crashing notes rang out, the energy in the room remained sky-high, a perfect end to an unforgettable evening.

Knocked Loose (w/ Basement, Harm's Way, Pest Control) @ O2 Academy (Brixton, UK) on March 17th, 2025

62 photos