Neck Deep / Rock City / Nottingham

A trip into Nottingham and Rock City to catch Neck Deep on their “Dumbstruck Dumbf**k” UK tour. There’s a real buzz in the air, and Rock City is absolutely stuffed full for tonight’s show. Neck Deep and Rock City have a history, which I won’t go into in this review, but they’re back and looking to set the place on fire with their ferocious brand of chaotic pop-punk madness. And we just can’t wait !

The opening band tonight are One Step Closer, an American melodic hardcore band from Pennsylvania. The band's debut album “This Place You Know” was released in 2021 to hugely positive reviews, and their latest album All You Embrace was released in 2024. They’ve been described as "one of the most exciting new bands in hardcore".

And, to be fair…. I can see why. Right from the off One Step Closer delivered the raw energy and power you expect from hardcore. Vocalist Ryan Savitski is constantly engaging with and shouting at the crowd, demanding more energy, more circle pits and more crowd surfers. As is often the case with opening bands, the time slot is too short and they deliver a riot of a five song set. Rock City is bouncing already ad I’d love to see a headline set sometime soon. A great way to build the atmosphere for whats to come, and a band to watch out for, to be sure !

Setlist

Leap Years

Esruc

Orange Leaf

Your Hazel Tree

Giant's Despair

Next up are special guests The Wonder Years. An American rock band also from Pennsylvania, formed in 2005. The band currently consists of Dan "Soupy" Campbell (vocals), Casey Cavaliere (guitar), Matt Brasch (guitar), Josh Martin (bass), Nick Steinborn (keyboards & guitar) and Mike Kennedy (drums, percussion). They have released seven albums, from 2007’s debut “Get Stoked On It” to 2022’s “The Hum Goes on Forever”.

Back in 2013, on their first UK tour, they had Neck Deep support them and Dan thanks Neck Deep for returning the favour this time round. The set is a riot right from the off, and I don’t think I saw the grim slip from Dan Campbell’s face once, clearly loving the experience. The temperature is off the scale, and Rock City is a humid pit of beautiful noise, with GODDAMITALL being a real highlight showcasing Dan’s vocal skills. The surfers are coming over, a sure sign that the place is in love with The Wonder Years. Highlights were incredible versions of Old friends Like Lost Teeth and Passing Through a Secret Door before the set ends with the classic Came Out Swinging a riot of a track that has the place jumping.

Setlist

I Don't Like Who I Was Then

Low Tide

GODDAMNITALL

Cardinals

Wyatt's Song (Your Name)

Oldest Daughter

Old Friends Like Lost Teeth

There, There

Passing Through a Screen Door

Washington Square Park

Came Out Swinging

After a short turn round, the place is ready for tonight’s headliners to hit the stage, and the atmosphere couldn’t be more electric with anticipation. The lights dim and Neck Deep run out into the limelight.

Formed in 2012 in Wrexham North Wales, They released a pair of EPs, Rain in July (2012) and A History of Bad Decisions (2013), before signing with Hopeless in August 2013. They released their debut album “Wishful Thinking” in 2014, and dropped their fifth album “Neck Deep” only last year (2024).

As they rush out, the confetti cannons fire off filling the air with a shower of paper and the place goes crazy as they dive head first into Dumbstruck Dumbf**k. Vocalist Ben Barlow is on fire brimming with angry intense energy as he prowls round the stage, backed by Guitarists Matt West and Sam Bowden who spin and whirl round like dervishes, with Seb Barlow and Matt Powles driving the whole thing along with a tight and powerful rhythm sound.

Heartbreak Of The Century is a real highlight as is crowd favourite Smooth Seas Don’t Make Great Sailors which sees the crowd lose it big time. The pit is in full swing and surfers are heading over to the stage. Wherever possible Ben reaches out to fist bump or hold hands and smile with each one, appreciating their efforts, and as they run out of the pit, many grin and punch the air in return. This is a night for the audience and with Can’t Kick Up The Roots Ben aims the mic at the crowd as they eagerly sing along.

The whole experience is one of energy and fun. Neck Deep are a band that immerse themselves in the experience completely, at one with their fans, and the boundary between the two is blurred for the time we’re together.

As we head into the encore we start with the powerful We Need More Bricks a call for political resistance and a focus tonight on the calls for freedom for, and an end to the genocide being committed in Palestine by Israel. Followed by fan favourite STFU you can almost feel the heat, its so intense now. Ending the set they deliver a stunning version of In Bloom from the 2017 album “The Peace and the Panic”. With confetti strips swirling in the beams of light Ben is joined by a couple of thousand voices who sing in unison, delivering a finale of the first degree.

Neck Deep’s return to Rock City has been nothing short of triumphant, delighting the Nottingham crowd, and reminding us all what live music should be all about.

Here’s to the next time !

Setlist

Dumbstruck Dumbf**k

Sort Yourself Out

It Won't Be Like This Forever

Take Me With You

Heartbreak of the Century

The Beach Is for Lovers (Not Lonely Losers)

Go Outside!

I Revolve (Around You)

Motion Sickness

Gold Steps