A sea of bodies was growling with anticipation. An echo of blood-pumping pulses, as the unionisation of music awaited the crowd. In the blink of an eye, a blast of sheer force catapulted to the back of the room. Loud, fast, hard, and strong, Pendulum had entered the O2 Academy Brixton stage.
Pendulum
O2 Academy Brixton – 6 November 2025
Words: Naomi Hefter
Photography: Ryan Hildrew
There is no messing around when it comes to Pendulum. These four members energise even the largest of spaces, providing a sensory overload of sound and vision.
Located at the iconic O2 Academy Brixton, home of live music, this venue has become one of London’s leading music spots. Since 1983, acts such as The Smiths, The Clash, and Madonna have performed there. And on the 6th and 7th of November, it was Pendulum’s turn.
Founded in 2003, Pendulum’s members were raised in Perth, Australia. Singer and guitarist Rob Swire, whose birthday was only the night before, led the band, oozing with a high-voltage zest for life.
The band’s unconventional song structures, sounds, and lyrical themes blend Heavy Metal, electronic dance, and drum ‘n’ bass, creating a wonderfully diverse sound for its matching audience. 
Pendulum’s lyrics and melodies manage to break the rules in music. Fast breakbeats with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, combined with synthesisers, create a fusion of genres and techniques that mix heavy, aggressive riffs with a bouncy, upbeat atmosphere.
With frequent contrasts between clean, melodic singing and harsh, screamed vocals, Pendulum generates an intense energy akin to brute-force metal, while uniting a crowd with euphoric, vigorous dancing.
Heavily distorted electric guitars, bass drops and pulsating amplifiers, Pendulums’ tracks were feeding an intense sonic impact through the bodies of the crowd.
Arguably Pendulum’s most successful song, Propane Nightmare began.
Adding a Wild West, Tarantino-inspired intro, this catchy start had an almost spoof-like narrative. Cheers of positivity lifted the roof, and every member of the room sang along to Propane Nightmare’s famous melody. There was a shift in the atmosphere, a spirited electricity filled the air.
Pounding out hit after hit, after hit, the band’s flow was effortless. Just as Granite began, the upper circle at the O2 Academy Brixton started to bounce along with the song’s riffs. The crowd fed off the band’s vibrancy, and the room hadn’t even warmed up. Yet.
Pendulum’s collaboration with The Prodigy suddenly smacked the crowd hard, and the energy surged tenfold. A tribute to the late Keith Flint, Pendulum’s version of Voodoo People sent a wave of pure love that rippled through the room. 
Closing with Tarantula, a muddying mosh pit erupted in front of the stage.
As the gritty track exploded, the crowd responded fully to the moment. A deep, yet aggressive sound filled the space as the contrast between organic, live-sounding Metal mixed with electronic elements created a dark, rich texture, and the crowd was completely captivated.
And just like the band’s name, every soul was drawn in by Pendulum’s force of gravity.
