Papa Roach – Leeds O2 Academy – 21/04/19
The power-driven Papa Roach have earned their stripes as one of the best live rock bands over the past 25 years or so, and with a UK tour in support of their recent album ‘Who Do You Trust?’ it’s an opportunity many of us could not pass up.
With 10 studio album now under their belt, throwing together a solid setlist was going to be little problem. However nobody quite expected to see Papa Roach take the stage at Leeds Academy shouting the lyrics “cut my life into pieces…” and just like that, the place erupted! Kicking off the show with arguably their best and most loved song ‘Last Resort’ is questionable as it’s such a good set closer, but they used it to their advantage and had the show hit peak nice and early.
Frontman Jacoby Shaddix head bangs around the stage throwing his fist in the air and does his upmost best to make sure everyone in the O2 Academy is involved from start to finish. The title track from the new album ‘Who Do You Trust?’ is also an early feature but sounds brilliant live and continues the set in bold form.
The energy from the entire band rubs off onto the crowd and the atmosphere is incredible from track to track. ‘Between Angels and Insects’ has fans running from the bar to the pits in seconds, and the room is electric once again. ‘Scars’ pulled us all back down to earth with its emotionally driven lyrics which everyone screams back at the frontman as he pours his heart into the song. Jacoby shares a few heart filed moments with the crowd through the night, and also makes a much valid point about how music saves lives and brings us all together.
The frontman also mentioned how they’ve been across to the UK many times before but this was the first time they had ever seen the sun at its peak, to then go on to tell us it was so good he took his bike out for a ride around Leeds to soak up the sun.
‘To Be Loved’ ends the set with pits bursting out in the centre of the room as the band put the pedal to the metal and shred though one of their best live tracks to date. Credit where credit is due, Papa Roach really know how to put on a fantastic show and don’t let the infectious energy slip for a single moment.
A more than welcome encore bursts into life with the opening notes of The Prodigy’s ‘Fire Starter’. The stage glows red and the frontman returns to the stage for one of the best live covers we’ve seen in tribute to the late Keith Flint. We’re sure he would have been blown away by the Californian quartet’s explosive performance in his memory.
We’re taken way back to 2001’s title track ‘Infest’ for some old school Papa Roach which is still as infectious as ever, before the more recent ‘Born For Greatness’ closes out the set with it’s power thumping beat to close out the night at the top of their game.
It goes without saying Papa Roach really were born for greatness, and continue to prove their worth with every show they play together. An incredible performance and one that will live long in the memories of everyone at Leeds Academy that evening.
Check out more live photos of Papa Roach at Leeds O2 Academy right here!
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Photo Credit: © Danny Peart Photography 2019
