This is the big one. Their biggest headline show ever, their first UK show since their self-titled album released and a sold out Ally Pally. For Neck Deep, this had been a long time coming.
With Drain opening the show, the Santa Cruz hardcore band blow the roof off. They’re the odd one out tonight with Neck Deep and Knuckle Puck being pop-punk but Drain relish the opportunity and have everyone’s ears suitably ringing. Knuckle Puck follow and with Drain getting everyone moving, Knuckle Puck make sure everyone has warmed up their voices with a hit filled 11 song set.
When Neck Deep finally take to the stage, Ally Pally explodes. Opening with ‘Dumbstruck Dumbf**k’, the chugging riff sends the crowd into a frenzy as a Neck Deep logo drops down behind Matt Powle’s drum kit.
Frontman Ben Barlow tells the crowd he’s “the most nervous person in the room,” not that you can tell. Any nerves that he might still have would go though as soon as ‘Motion Sickness’ kicks in and the fans are singing every word back to the band.
While the show may be in support of a new album, it’s the old songs that get that best reception especially tracks off Life’s Not Out To Get You. ‘Gold Steps’ appears early in the set with the 10,000 people belting every word of the chorus at the band while Ben holds his microphone to the crowd.
If you’re familiar with the band you’d know they use their platform for good, and outspoken frontman Ben seized the opportunity to drill down on his stances. Before launching into the politically charged ‘We Need More Bricks’, he makes his opinions known saying “Free Palestine,” while also shouting “fuck the Tories and fuck Rishi Sunak.”
Before ‘She’s A God’ Ben asks for more pits before demanding a “girl pit,” saying “step aside fellas it fucking stinks down there.” There’s also a debut for ‘Moody Weirdo’ which sees every track off the new album except ‘This Is All My Fault’ being played.
Expertly moving from faster tracks into slow ones, ‘Kali Ma’ sees the stage lit up with flames and fireworks before things slow down with ‘A Part of Me’. The set ends with ‘December (again)’ which again has everyone in Ally Pally singing at the top of their lungs.
While they’re proud of their Wrexham roots, a pop-punk cliché about hating your home town appears, with Ben asking “who else is from a shit hole town in the middle of fucking nowhere,” before ‘Can’t Kick Up The Roots’. Ending with ‘In Bloom’, there’s no doubt Neck Deep are going bigger than Ally Pally next time.
After 24 tracks, it’s obvious Neck Deep deserved this show. A flawless performance, full production and a career spanning setlist – this felt like a statement gig. Everyone in Alexandra Palace knows they’ve just seen something special, leaving you wondering how the band can ever tonight’s performance.
