Thrice at Birmingham’s O2 Institute
American three piece Thrice took to the o2 Institute's nearly sold out second room during their headline tour on the back of their 2025 release Horizons/West. Whilst they performed songs from their newest album such as Albatross, Gnash and The Dark Glow, it’s clear that the people in the room were here for Thrice’s older hits. They quickly demonstrate how they’ve managed to make their careers last 25 years as they’re pretty good at this classic rock business.
The Birmingham crowd are slightly older and whilst they’re mostly into it, there are moments where their attention lacks. It’s refreshing to not see phones in the air for the whole show with a select few only going up to capture personal favourites. The volume coming off the stage makes the crowd singing back seem quiet but the cheers at the end of the tracks lets the quartet know we’re still in the room with them.
Paper Tigers brings a lot of excitement until songs such as Black Honey and Deadbolt blow that out of the water and send the gig-goers into a frenzy. The show goes by with minimal interactions and mostly mid-level energy with the enthusiasm on stage rising when necessary. Unfortunately, it does feel like the crowd need to be pulled back into the room at times, it’s easily done with the band’s more mature numbers.
Written and Photographed by Hope Small - Portfolio
