POLYPHIA In Concert, London May 11, 2023
POLYPHIA live at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire London 11th May 2023
Riffs over riffs and virtuoso guitarists. Is this Baroque or BaRock?
A few minutes after 9pm, when the lights went down and the crowd was already shouting out its enthusiasm, 4 simple guys from Texas made their appearance on the stage of the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire in West London. It was finally time for Polyphia!
The instrumental prog-rock band played their first of the 2 London shows as part of their long European Tour which will see them playing not only across the UK but also in other major cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, Paris (2 dates), Hamburg and many others (check out their official website for more info about their current tour).
I was really excited to see Polyphia for the first time live on stage after having listened to all their songs from their latest album “Remember That You Will Die”. I must admit that I’m not a huge fan of instrumental music, but the moment the band started their show with songs like Genesis, Neurotica, OD, Goose and 40oz, the immense connection between the band and the crowd was undeniable – something that went beyond their natural skills with the guitars. I really wasn’t sure what to expect from a Polyphia live show, but after roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes of guitar masterpieces, I had nothing but good feelings. Watching the crowd jumping, dancing and even humming (or singing!) to their songs was somehow something that I would have never thought could have happened tonight at the Shepherds Bush Empire. Undeniably, Polyphia made a great performance tonight and the question I had in my mind “how would the band sound with a vocalist?” finally found an answer: they are just perfect as they are!
The show continued with songs like Champagne, The Worst, Reverie and Playing God amongst others and then concluded with a super encore with G.O.A.T. , 96 Quite Bitter Beings (a CKY cover) and obviously with the masterpiece Euphoria.
If you missed this show, or if for any obvious reasons one show wasn’t enough for you, don’t forget that Polyphia will play again in London on May 31st at the Shepherds Bush Empire before continuing their 2023 Tour which will see the band playing in Japan, Australia and many dates in the US.
Review and Pictures by Luca Viola
Special Thanks Jazmin L’Amy, The Noise Cartel
Editor in Chief Maria Fernanda Capici
SETLIST:
★ Genesis
★ Neurotica
★ O.D.
★ Goose
★ 40oz
★ Icronic
★ Champagne
★ All Falls Apart
★ Drown
★ The Worst
★ Reverie
★ The Audacity
★ Playing God
★ G.O.A.T.
★ 96 Quite Bitter Beings
★ Euphoria
