Review & Photography by Manny Manson for MPM
Tonight, the iconic Rock City, Nottingham plays host to a trifecta of alternative rock heavyweights, delivering a diverse and electrifying evening of live music. From the dark and atmospheric The Nocturnal Affair to the introspective yet explosive InMe, culminating with the genre-defying brilliance of Alien Ant Farm, this line-up promises a journey through the haunting, to the cathartic, and onto the the downright infectious.
As the crowd gathers outside Rock City, the buzz is undeniable. Fans some dressed as ‘Aliens, exchange excited chatter, waiting to step into the venue that has become a spiritual home for live music enthusiasts. Tonight promises more than just a gig, it’s a collision of solipsism, theatricality, and boundless energy. Rock City’s hallowed stage is once again primed for a night of unforgettable performances, and once in the packed room is ready to embrace every moment.
The pulse of anticipation throbs through Rock City as fans pressed into the cavernous room, bathed in the warm glow of hanging lights and the haze of thick, smoky air. The Nottingham venue, a bastion of live music history, is once again promising everything from shadowy grooves to alt-metal nostalgia. The stage is cloaked in a smoky darkness, when The Nocturnal Affair emerge, and the night officially began.
Emerging from the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas, The Nocturnal Affair have become masters of merging gothic undertones with modern rock. Their haunting sound and enigmatic presence draw influences from legends like Type O Negative and Nine Inch Nails.
Fronted by the captivating Brendan Shane, the band also features Drucifer Lappin and Andy Ingram (guitar), Michaels James (bass), and Kyle Cunningham (drums). Their 2022 album ‘(Meta)morphosis’ has indeed marked a significant step forward, with tracks such as “Down” and “Beyond the Shadows” combining cinematic grandeur with reflective lyrics. Known for their atmospheric live shows, drenched in fog and bathed in light, they create an otherworldly experience that stays with you, having seen the band previously in support of the Kris Barras band it was a set that I was looking forward to catching.
Bathed in a strobe-lit storm of yellow, the drummer hammered out a hypnotic Drum solo to kick off their set. Kyle Cunningham commanded the kit with an intensity that instantly held the crowd captive, each crash of the cymbals reverberating through the room like thunder. As the rest of the band crept onto the stage, the sonic tapestry shifted. They dived into their dark, brooding cover of Depeche Mode’s “It’s No Good,” drawing from the gothic synth tones of the original but amplifying its grit. The guitar riffs of Lappin and Ingram slithered and snarled, wrapping around Brandon’s deep, almost sinister vocals that dripped with sorrow and defiance.
The slow-burning intensity carried into “A Thousand Ways to Die” from 2022’s Metamorphosis. This was a track that oozed with tension, Cunninghams’ pounding rhythms and James’ low-end thunder creating a dense wall of sound. The haunting melodies in the chorus cut through like a knife, sending waves of emotion rippling through the crowd.
From there, they transitioned seamlessly into “Down,” a November 2021 single from the same debut album, its melancholic verses swelling into towering choruses that had the audience swaying in unison. The mood shifted slightly with the newer “Cross Me Out,” their latest single, released in August 2024. It came alive with a cinematic, almost orchestral grandeur.
Brandon’s vocal delivery here felt raw, pulling every ounce of emotion from the lyrics, while the guitar work alternated between delicate picking and searing leads that lit up the smoky air. They dipped into ambient territory for “Interlude,” a brief but atmospheric moment where the stage was bathed in deep blues and purples, casting eerie shadows over the band.
“Unwound” from (Meta)morphosis, surged forward with restless energy, its frenetic pace pushing the few moshers into overdrive. The aggressive “Backbiter” followed, another new song, its biting riffs and venomous lyrics acting as a rallying cry.
They ended on a high note with the triumphant cover of Haddaway’s “What Is Love,” the entire room erupting into a singalong that felt more like a shared purging than a nostalgic joke. The Nocturnal Affair exited the stage, after the obligatory photo, with a storm of applause echoing in their wake. The quick change over occurs by the supper efficient crew, drums and pedal boards fly from the stage as its made ready for the new addition to the tour.
Hailing from Brentwood, Essex, InMe stormed onto the scene in the early 2000s, seamlessly blending post-grunge melodies with progressive flair. Formed in 1996, the band is driven by the impassioned vocals of Dave McPherson, alongside Mike Garrett (bass) and Tom Dalton (drums)and Gaz Marlow and John O’Keeffe (guitars).
Their debut album, ‘Overgrown Eden’ (2003), captured raw emotion and soared to No. 15 on the UK Albums Chart, with tracks like “Firefly” and “Underdose” resonating deeply with fans. Over the years, albums such as ‘White Butterfly’ (2005) and ‘Daydream Anonymous’ (2007) showcased the band’s evolution, while with the ambitious trilogy, ‘The Pride’ (2012), ‘Trilogy: Dawn’ (2014), and ‘Jumpstart Hope’ (2020), they have proven their ability to innovate while staying true to their emotive core.
After a quick teardown and reset, InMe stormed the stage like seasoned pros, delivering a set that felt like an emotional rollercoaster. Dave McPherson, flanked by guitarists Marlow & O’Keeffe, bassist Garrett, and drummer Dalton, they wasted no time with formalities, ripping straight into “Underdose” from 2003’s Overgrown Eden. Its jagged riff and soaring chorus had the crowd jumping from the off, the raw energy practically radiating off the stage.
The band kept the pace relentless with “Firefly,” a powerhouse from the same album. The shimmering guitar melodies and Dave’s impassioned vocals had the crowd belting out every word. The tempo shifted slightly for “Cracking the Whip,” a punchy, groove-laden highlight from Daydream Anonymous. The interplay between John and Gazz’s guitars filled the room with cascading layers of sound, while Tom’s drumming grounded the track with a steady, pulsing beat. “Safe in a Room,” a delicate track from White Butterfly, brought a more reflective moment, the smoky stage lights dimming as the crowd swayed to the song’s haunting beauty.
The intensity returned with “7 Weeks,” another standout from White Butterfly. Garrett’s bass rumbled like an earthquake, driving the song’s weighty grooves, while Dave’s vocal delivery was nothing short of searing. “Confession,” a reflective piece from the 7th and latest studio album called Demons, due out in 2024, felt raw and exposed, a quiet moment that allowed the audience to catch their breath. The band then surged back with “All Terrain Vehicle,” from Herald Moth, its thunderous rhythms and defiant chorus practically shaking the venue’s foundations.
The ethereal “Reverie Shores” from The Pride, shimmered with a dreamlike quality, before the band launched into a duo from White Butterfly, “So You Know,” a fiery track that blended their melodic sensibilities with their heavier edge. Closing with “Faster the Chase,” they leave the crowd chanting for more, their signature mix of heartfelt emotion and sheer power sealing them as masters of their craft, and a welcome addition to any tour bus, as they make way for the Headliners, ALIEN ANT FARM
California’s Alien Ant Farm have carved out a unique niche in the world of alternative rock since their formation in 1996. While they’re best known for their unforgettable Michael Jackson cover, “Smooth Criminal,” from their breakthrough album ‘ANThology’ (2001), their eclectic discography reveals so much more.
Led by the dynamic Dryden Mitchell on vocals, the band features Terry Corso on guitar, Tim Peugh on bass, and Mike Cosgrove on drums. Their music, blending punk, funk, and alt-rock, shines through albums like ‘TruANT’ (2003), ‘Up in the Attic’ (2006), and their introspective 2015 release, ‘Always and Forever’. Fan favourites such as “Movies,” “These Days,” and “Glow” showcase their talent for balancing playful energy with emotional depth.
‘Volver Volver’ played academically over the house P.A. before Alien Ant Farm finally took to the stage, politely late, they had waited until the air was electric, the audience now roaring as the lights eventually dimmed. A thick curtain of smoke cloaked the stage as the opening notes of “Courage” from 2001’s ANThology tore through the venue. Terry Corso’s razor-sharp guitar riffs collided with Tye Zamora’s thunderous basslines, creating an explosive soundscape. Dryden Mitchell, visibly leaner and exuding energy, bounded across the stage, to the edge where he looked across the raised hands bathed in an ethereal green ‘Alien’ light, the fans and aliens amongst the crowd going nuts as his voice cut through the chaos like a blade. With every line, he grinned and bounced around the stage, his new found charisma infectious.
The band charged headlong into “Wish,” an adrenaline-fueled anthem that ignited a fierce mosh pit. Terry’s guitar roared like a chainsaw, the jagged riff practically slicing through the crowd, while Mike Cosgrove’s drumming was an unrelenting force, hammering the track into the very bones of the room. Dryden prowled the stage like a man possessed, his delivery raw and full of fire. “Flesh & Bone” the third from 2001’s ANThology, shifted the atmosphere.
Its brooding verses and haunting melodies brought a darker, reflective vibe, underscored by Terry’s intricate, echoing guitar work. The dim lighting cast shadowy blues and purples across the stage, heightening the song’s melancholic tone. Dryden’s vocals here were especially poignant, pulling every ounce of emotion from the lyrics.
As the lights brightened, we get one from 2024’s mANTras, “Wrong Thing” emerged with its slower, almost contemplative pace. Peugh’s bassline hummed beneath the surface, giving the track a grounded, heartbeat-like pulse. Dryden seemed more reflective, his delivery heartfelt, as he moved between the verses with a real connection to the crowd, leaning over to fist bumping several who, where reaching across the void towards him.
Then came “Movies.” The room, once again erupted into pure delight, as the unmistakable opening chords filled the air. This was a moment that had the audience roaring every word back to the band. Dryden let the crowd take the chorus, standing at the edge of the stage, arms outstretched, as though conducting a choir.
Terry’s soaring lead guitar line added a layer of nostalgia, taking fans back to the early 2000s with every shimmering note from his battered Telecaster guitar. The fresh energy of “Last dAntz,” another new track from their latest album, injects something different into the set. The song was polished but still unmistakably Alien Ant Farm, with a punchy rhythm and soaring chorus that felt like a natural evolution of their sound. Dryden introduced the track with a playful grin, clearly wanting to share it with the excited crowd.
“Attitude” was another step back to 2001, and a masterclass in controlled chaos, its upbeat energy sending ripples through the crowd. Peugh’s bass growled, driving the song’s bouncy rhythm, while Terry’s riffing brought a sharp edge to this, a feel-good anthem. In contrast, “Stranded” brings a more emotional depth, its wistful lyrics carried by Dryden’s evocative vocal performance, which echoed with every corner of the room.
As the band launched into another from mANTras with “What Am I Doing,” Dryden took a moment to talk to the crowd, emoting on the song’s themes of searching and self-doubt. The rawness in his voice carried an emotional weight that hit like a punch to the gut, leaving the room hushed yet completely engaged. “Storms Over,” again from the new long player, built from a slow, simmering intro into an epic crescendo that felt like the climax of a storm. Mike’s drumming here was particularly powerful, each beat striking like a thunderclap, while Terry’s melodic lines soared and shimmered. The track closing the main set with an exhilarating finale.
The encore began with “What I Feel Is Mine,” from Up In The Attic, this is a heartfelt track that blends melodic nuances with pounding hypnotic rhythms. The atmosphere turned more intimate as Dryden’s delivery softened, drawing the audience in closer. This shifted seamlessly into “Goodbye,” from truANT, it’s a song of bittersweet melody and even more reflective lyrics, in themselves offering a moment of reflection before the night’s final eruption. Then, the unmistakable bassline of “Smooth Criminal” dropped, and Rock City explodes.
The crowd screamed every word of the Michael Jackson cover that put Alien Ant Farm on the map, a song that has rightly transcended eras and brought every fan to their feet. Dryden’s voice carried just the right mix of edge and cheekiness, and the band leaned into the playful spirit of the track, even extending the breakdown to let the audience take over entirely. By the time the last note rang out, the room was a whirlwind of cheers, applause, and exhausted but elated fans oh and Aliens!
Alien Ant Farm finally leave the stage, triumphant, this is yet another legacy band that has proven their staying power. With a set packed with nostalgia-drenched anthems to today’s fresh new cuts, from their latest album ‘mANTras’, their set being a celebration of everything that has made them icons, and, judging by the fans, they have everything that ensures their future is going to be as bright as any alien sunrise.
