Madina Lake / The Fleece / Bristol

Back at the Fleece in Bristol for the first time in what feels like ages to catch US rockers Madina Lake on the opening night of their 2025 UK tour. Indeed, this is their first trip to these sores for 8 years !

First up in support are Bad Luck from New York City who are brothers Dominick and Joseph Fox alongside their childhood friends Michael Sichel and Charlie Caruso. Their first show, Bad Luck build in confidence as the set progresses and deliver some fun pop punk music that mixes the Northeastern (NY) cynicism of the world with SoCal pop-influenced optimism.

Their punk rock style seemed to be a hit and certainly set us up for whats to come.

Next up are Irish alternative emo rock dup Greywind who are formed by siblings Steph and Paul O'Sullivan. Greywind recorded their debut album at Texas’s Sonic Ranch Studios.

The band stepped out to a sombre backing track and took up their positions, followed by Steph clutching a rose. The flower is throw and she turns to the drum kit for the big start but…. Silence. The band, and then the crowd burst out laughing at the missed que. So grasping the situation by the neck, the wal off to do it all again.

This time the crowd cheer harder and everyone has big grins and this time everything goes to plan and the show starts. Their sound revolves around some visceral and crunching riffs and soaring hooks. The song lyrics focus on the darker side of the human condition and Steph delivers them emphatically, easily switching between tender, evocative and aggressive styles. Its her presence what elevates the performance and it’s clear she’s having a great time on stage.

The whole band are brimming with energy and go don a treat with the packed Fleece crowd

Setlist (partial)

Here’s Your Deathwish

Swing and Sway

Afterthoughts

And then its time for headliners Madina Lake, and judging by the excitement in the crowd around me, this is one show they’ve been looking forward to ! From Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2005 they released their debut album “From Them, Through Us, to You” in 2007. Having won Best International Newcomer at the Kerrang! Awards in 2007, the band disbanded in 2013 before reuniting in 2017.

Madina Lake are Nathan Leone (vocals), Matthew Leone (bass), Mateo Camargo (guitar) and Chris Mason (drums). They’re released three LPs their 2007 debut followed by “Attics to Eden” (2009) and World War III (2011). Most recently they released the “The Beginning Of New Endings” EP in (2020).

Madina Lake take to the stage with huge cheers and right off the crowd are into it as they dive into Love is War.Dressed all in black, and Nathan barefoot he’s immediately up on the monitors and hanging off the iron pillars at the edge of the stage. An impressive showman, he doesn’t stand still during the set and has an ever present grin plastered across his face. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious and the crowd respond in kind.

Most of the set came from their classic original two albums “From Them, Through Us, to You” and “Attics to Eden” with fan favourite tracks like Adalia, One Last Kiss, House of Cards, Stars and Pandora all featuring prominently, much to the crowds joy.

Musically, they’re on fine form, and you wouldn’t know they hadn’t toured for some time Mateo delivering some stunning and powerful riffs. Solid with every note hit perfectly and Nathan sounding just as good as he did back in the day. There’s even a cover of Limp Bizkit’s Nookie which has the place rocking.

Nathan is in the crowd being carried aloft singing the lyrics and at every opportunity is fist bumping everyone that wants one.

But what the crowd really really want is Welcome to Oblivion and they duly oblige in the encore, with everyone singing along with gusto.

A brilliant night. Bad Luck and Greywind were fantastic and Madina Lake showed that they’ve still got it, and a live show force to be reckoned with.

Setlist

Love Is War

In Another Life

Adalia

One Last Kiss

House of Cards

Now or Never

Never Take Us Alive

Let's Get Outta Here