While the rest of the country was suffering another dull England performance in the Euros, we were in a little bubble in Birmingham, experiencing a stunning night with Underoath and Static Dress.
Underoath – Static Dress
O2 Institute Birmingham – 25 June 2024
Words And Photography: Andy Shaw
Underoath
This tour is based around Underoath’s 2004 album, They’re Only Chasing Safety. Tonight, they played this in full, along with a few fan-voted favourites. From Tampa, Florida, they bought their own unique version of Metalcore, hardcore punk, post-hardcore, emo and screamo.
Underoath delivered an electrifying performance that captivated the audience from start to finish. The band’s energy was palpable, with lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain commanding the stage with his dynamic presence and powerful vocals. His growls and clean singing were both on point, demonstrating impressive range and emotion.
Going from start to finish of They’re Only Chasing Safety, beginning with Young And Aspiring then into A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black and White, The Impact Of Reason and Reinventing Your Exit.
A taped 51-second interlude followed with The Blue Note. The crowd’s enthusiasm was evident from the moment the band took the stage. Fans were visibly moved, chanting lyrics and participating actively in the performance.
Spencer frequently interacted with the audience, encouraging sing-alongs and crowd participation, which created an inclusive and high-energy atmosphere. The band’s gratitude towards the fans was genuine, adding a personal touch to the experience.
The rest of the album followed, completed by a sumptuous acoustic version of Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape.
Guitarist Tim McTague, along with bassist Grant Brandell, created a dense and immersive wall of sound with intricate riffs and breakdowns that had the crowd headbanging and moshing throughout the night.
Drummer Aaron Gillespie’s relentless energy and precision kept the band locked in tight, driving the complex rhythms that are a hallmark of Underoath’s sound.
It was then time for more sing-a-longs and a few fan favourites. Starting with Take A Breath from the latest album, Voyeurist, then we moved into In Regards To Myself from Define The Great Line. Another newer one, Hallelujah, followed.
Finishing with Breathing In A New Mentality, then Writing On The Walls, this was such a great night. The atmosphere was intense and immersive, with a sense of raw emotion and energy permeating the venue.
Underoath’s ability to connect with their audience on such a visceral level made tonights performance feel deeply personal and impactful.
Static Dress
Static Dress delivered a captivating and high-octane performance that showcased their unique blend of post-hardcore and screamo. From the moment the band hit the stage, lead vocalist Olli Appleyard commanded attention with his raw and emotive delivery, effortlessly switching between visceral screams and melodic cleans.
They kicked off with Push Rope, then straight into Courtney, Just Relax, both from their 2022 album Rouge Carpet Disaster. Drummer Sam Ogden and bassist Connor Reilly provided a formidable backbone to the pulsating live performance. 
Next was Safeword before the new single, Crying.
Enigmatic guitarist Contrast was sporting a new mask, but his performance was as stunning as ever. The Institute crowd loved it. The band’s interaction with the audience was a highlight, with Olli frequently reaching out to encourage sing-alongs.
This was turning into a fantastic set, the Leeds rockers finished with Sweet and Clean. It was a perfect way to start the night.
