Gig Review: Nothing More @ O2 Academy Bristol 06th Dec 2025
Credit: Caitlyn Knight (@caitlynknightportfolio)
On the 6th of December I went to the O2 Academy in Bristol to catch Prog Metal/Alt Rock stars, Nothing More. The American rock band set off to the UK for the final 4 dates of their Carnal Nature world tour between the 2nd-6th of December. I happened to catch them at their final show. The band have had a really successful year, after releasing their seventh studio album, Carnal in 2024. The record featured four singles of which were consecutive #1’s on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay and Mediabase Active Rock charts, including ‘House on Sand’ and ‘If It Doesn’t Hurt’. Garnering influence from bands like System of a Down, Tool, Muse, Incubus, and Deftones, the now well-established group continue to hit the stage with planned dates in 2026 heading to Canada and back to the USA.
I first saw the band play on the second stage at Download Festival in June last year, and after their set I was admittedly left wanting more. Their Download set was nothing short of captivating; but it was nothing in comparison to the experience of a full length set at their own show.
Caitlyn Knight (@caitlynknightportfolio)
I was waiting for the band’s arrival in front of the barrier with my camera. Even the security guards who I got chatting to were eager for the show, discussing their excitement to hear the band play as they had heard good things, as well as the other photographers with me in the pit exclaiming their content with their recent release. The band finally arrived on stage, garnering an insane reaction from their audience. Each and every person was genuinely excited for what was to come and I felt as though I had been missing out somewhat seeing this reaction from each audience member. The crowd was generally really respectful too as far as I could see; something of which unfortunately isn’t always a given amongst the audience of this genre.
Caitlyn Knight (@caitlynknightportfolio)
The set list garnered a generally positive response from the audience and it’s important to note that the stage design was inherently simple. At face value, there was only the band, a few platforms, and their instruments. I always love this approach from a band as it signifies that they are reliant on their ability and confident on this factor rather than relying on an impressive stage factor. Also, this means that most of the time the band are self-aware for good reason, that they are genuinely and impressively talented. Nothing More proved exactly that to me, more so that night than at their Download set. They have such a genuinely strong presence between all members of the band, with each individual not only putting so much time and care into what they do but upon watching them with such attention to detail taking photographs. Up close and personal, I really got the chance to appreciate how much they not only appreciated this, but also that they felt at peace with that what they were doing was exactly what they should be and wanted to be doing.
Caitlyn Knight (@caitlynknightportfolio)
My favourite part of their set wasn’t a specific song, it was more 2 particular phenomena which though obviously used for shock factor and to impress, it cannot be denied that effect. I have been involved in music forever, and have been attending live music events since I was 3 and never have I seen something like this. About ¾ way through their set, a weird contraption was pulling from the side stage. It looked like a long arm, and I honestly assumed it was something which may have been used in an orchestra due to the length of the ‘arm’ on it. The bassist locked in his guitar to said ‘contraption’. The other guitarist then ran over, as they began to both tap the bass. They were doing some sort of fingerstyle method which honestly as an audience member was already beyond my understanding. Before I could comprehend what was even going on, as I was completely bewildered and amazed by this unknown, unexpected territory, the lead singer ran over with a set of drum sticks and styled off a sort of ‘drum off’ with the drummer. He then, after finishing their drum-show-off, followed up to the pair doing the finger-style tapping on the bass and started matching the drum beat of which the drummer was already playing, but with the drum sticks, tapping this rhythm- all the band synchronised together. This created what can only be described as an insanely chaotic, almost marching band-like rhythm. As I looked to the side to see the audience’s reaction, almost as if to reassure myself that this was inherently out of the ordinary, I was greeted with others only doing the same thing. When I thought this was the end of the spectacle, two band members stepped back as one pushed the side of the bass, ducked down, and the whole rig spun around and around. I don’t know how else to describe it.
Honestly, this part of the show was a massive shock to the system but in the most brilliant way. I have never been that genuinely surprised at a sort of ‘show off’ section in a performance, and it was nothing short of incredible. Overall, I must admit I am definitely a big fan of Nothing More now, and their live show was undeniably impressive. I really admire their path they’ve taken and will undoubtedly find myself listening to them again, and again.
Written and Reviewed by Caitlyn Knight
Opinion
