Review: Bring Me The Horizon @ Qudos Bank Arena

Review by Natasha Christian & & photos by James Gough & Rhys Bennett.

Oli Sykes is the Prince of modern metal. No, I don’t mean those disappointing geezers from his birth country, I mean the multi-talented songwriter, instrumentalist, actor and artist formerly known as. 

If that line infuriates you, you may not like what I have to say about Sleep Token. 

Sykes scares me nearly as much as Marilyn Manson did when I watched Guns, Gods and Government back in 2002. I was 12. He doesn’t scare me as much as Charles Manson or Jim Jones, but he still has time. So why dare to compare Sykes to Prince? Because his unmatched creativity and foresight echoes the legendary musician in a way that sets him apart in metal. Bring Me The Horizon’s recent headline show at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena was nothing short of a strategic masterpiece, showcasing unparalleled creativity and flawless execution. 

The inclusion of Sleep Token as the main support proved to be a stroke of genius. Their Swiftie level fanbase and neatly packaged, enigmatic and cult-like aesthetic, captured the audience’s attention from the moment tickets went on sale. While their sound could be compared to other theatrical bands like Panic At The Disco and HIM (who also have obsessive, young followings), it’s their ability to quickly gain a mass following that sets them apart. Unfortunately for them, in this case they’ve set the stage for Bring Me The Horizon, namely Oli Sykes, to solidify their status as a true artistic force worthy of a cult following. As the show unfolded, it felt like I was witnessing a private ritual unfolding behind a public spectacle, with Bring Me The Horizon basically handing a poisoned chalice to Sleep Token.

Unfortunately, I missed hyperpop sensation DAINE who had performed her collaboration Salt with Sykes during the Melbourne leg of this tour. 

Make Them Suffer has come a long way since their debut EP in 2010. Despite facing multiple lineup shifts, the Perth five-piece has resurfaced stronger than ever in 2024, treating fans to a headline-worthy performance filled with top-tier sound and lighting, which at one point looked like a storm was brewing over our heads. New(ish) keyboardist and clean vocalist Alex Reade has injected fresh energy into a band that’s been slogging it out for 16 years. Reade’s seamless harmonies with frontman Sean Harmanis’ commanding growls were a highlight of the night. The crowd’s enthusiastic reception of older track Ether showed Make Them Suffer’s enduring appeal, with the entire mosh pit swaying in unison to its hypnotic melody. As the set drew to a close with Doomswitch, Nick Mclernon’s blistering guitar work left the audience in awe. Make Them Suffer has undeniably transitioned from a promising Australian act to an established force in the global metalcore scene, and power to them. 

When a band’s merch line requires a booking form, you know they’ve reached a serious level of fandom. As Sleep Token took the stage at Qudos Bank Arena, the venue was practically pulsating with anticipation. A testament to the band’s ability to market themselves on mystique and allure. From the moment the ritual begins with The Offering, the atmosphere is charged with excitement. This is a band people faint for and like eager paparazzi, a sea of phone cameras was ready to catch the first glimpse of the masked figures. 

Despite their cloaked appearance and zero crowd interaction, Sleep Token’s performance elicited screams of adoration from the audience, similar to teenage fans at a Taylor Swift concert. There’s an undeniable allure to a masked man, unless they are unexpectedly in your house. The timing of this show added a layer of emotional complexity to the experience, it was held one day after the senseless Bondi Junction murders. The crimes meant Sydney was a city on edge and in desperate need of release. 

Frontman Vessel commands the stage with a falsetto that rivals James Blake and Sam Smith. His presence is magnetic, weaving between moments of breakdancing and entrancing the crowd like the Pied Piper. While Sleep Token’s music doesn’t neatly fit into the metal genre box, it serves as a gateway for younger fans to explore the genre further. That’s undoubtedly positive for a genre that’s facing plenty of struggles, namely a lack of fresh starpower to replace the old guard. However, despite the clear emotional intent behind Sleep Token’s music, the performance falls short of delivering the anticipated release. The vocals, intended to evoke tears and goosebumps, lack the depth and connection needed to fully captivate the room. Additionally, the lack of musical diversity in the setlist leaves something to be desired, with the first three songs feeling repetitive to the point where I felt like I was listening to the same djent riff on loop. For a fan that’s not an issue, but for the rest of the crowd who is yet to be convinced, it is. 

Chokehold was surprisingly absent from this set but considering the short 40 minute time slot, Sleep Token managed to make the most of it. With Alkaline at the peak and a poignant rendition of Take Me Back To Eden to close, Sleep Token left a lasting impression on fans who were hoping to see this in the flesh. It’s worth noting that Sleep Token is a relatively young band who are still finding their feet compared to veterans like Bring Me The Horizon and to an extent, Make Them Suffer. Both of these bands have shown in their careers that it can take a long time to find your groove and truly connect live. While this set offered a glimpse of their potential, there’s still a lot of room for growth beyond the well-timed smoke and mirrors. 

Bring Me The Horizon's approach to anticipation building is refreshingly unconventional. Their set kicks off with a video game-inspired start screen that immediately immerses the audience in their world. Throughout the show, an NPC (non playable character) antagonises the crowd, challenging us to make the night unforgettable while delivering cutting remarks like calling us “weak as fuck”. As the band erupts into DArkSide, confetti fills the air, and Sykes takes the stage to play the role of the charismatic antihero, in a cropped black straight jacket and matching flares. 

Surprisingly, this set leans heavily on 2013’s Sempiternal, much to the delight of fans. The show dripped with cult references, from a church-themed backdrop to tracks like opener Empire (Let Them Sing), MANTRA, AmEN!, Kool-Aid, Obey and Die4u, reinforcing Sykes’ intention to claim cult status and convert the Sleep Token crowd. 

The production value is unparalleled, with pyro, confetti, smoke cannons, and impeccably-timed visuals. For young fans claiming this as their first concert experience, it’s a hell of a concert to pop that cherry. Shadow Moses and hyperpop track Kingslayer stood out as crowd favourites, while the stripped-down acoustic rendition of sTraNgeRs showcased the band’s raw talent. Sykes warned the crowd it would be subdued as he had eaten “too much vegan tiramisu”, despite this, it demonstrated Bring Me The Horizon’s ability to hold the audience’s attention without elaborate tricks and treats. 

Diamonds Aren’t Forever from Suicide Season was a surprise inclusion, showing just how far the band have evolved from this sound. I remember when Sempiternal was released as the follow up to this and how angry fans were that they had departed from this sound. Fast forward to now and I’m so glad they have as it’s the weakest song on the setlist. Sykes didn’t seem overly fond of the nostalgia trip either. The tiramisu must’ve settled come Parasite Eve, which injects a newfound energy into the room. The performance is perfectly matched to the video game-themed visuals. 

A highlight came unexpectedly when Sydney trap metal vocalist J-Figure took the stage to sing Antivist. These moments can flop or fly, but he quickly had the crowd’s “middle fingers up” and the pit parting for a massive wall of death. Syke’s crowd engagement peaks during Drown, as he slides into the pit to connect with his fans. After getting nothing from Sleep Token, it’s welcomed when he grabs a fan’s heart shaped glasses and allows the front row to take a selfie or film a sing-a-long with him. While it’s 5 minutes of his time and just another day in the life of a rockstar, it’s something these fans are likely to talk about for a lot longer. It was at this point, I noticed he had the help of a backing track but considering the intensity of this performance, it’s expected. The emotional peak of the entire night comes with Can You Feel My Heart, and yeah, I can. It’s a beautiful, spine-tingling ending to a near perfect show. 

As the band preps for the encore, a video montage of their 20 year career plays, it’s hard to believe it’s been that long. The encore delivers the cathartic release fans craved, culminating in the anthemic Doomed, and the pop-punk vibrancy of LosT. Sykes shared he’s done 14,000 steps and we know he’s closed his ring for the day. The fiery finale Throne concludes the spectacle, with Bring Me The Horizon literally burning down the house, symbolically destroying it all, because that’s what cult leaders do. 

Bring Me The Horizon have solidified their status as leaders of the live experience in 2024. From the start screen to the finishing blow, this show transcends entertainment, leaving an indelible mark on all who experience it. Oli Sykes strikes the perfect balance between enigmatic and open, while reminding us that in a world hungry for connection and authenticity, true leaders inspire, captivate and forever change those in their presence. 

Well played.