Within Temptation / Motorpoint Arena / Nottingham

As winter arrives in force, on a wet and wild Monday night, there’s perhaps no better place to be but in the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, for the visit of Within Temptation on their “Bleed Out” 2024 world tour.

There’s a later than usual start following Blind8’s withdraw from the tour. Unfortunately, although granted permission to tour, two of the band members were recalled to the Ukraine resulting in their absence from the UK leg of the tour. The good news is they were cleared to return, and will be rejoining the tour in Paris.

Slava Ukraini

So first up in support are Annisokay (pronounced Ann is okay) a German post-hardcore band from Halle, Saxony-Anhalt. To date they have released five studio albums, and are well known in the UK and a popular live band.

Annisokay were impressive, delivering an energetic set of their trademark metalcore opening with the powerhouse that is Into the Abyss. Mid way through the set they’re joined on stage by Within Temptations singer Sharon Den Adel for a performance of Like a Parasite which went down a storm with the Nottingham crowd.

Shortly after they unleash a stunning cover of the Linkin Park early hit One Step Closer. The roof is almost off as the crowd sing along. As they ended the set, they encouraged the crowd to sing along with the chorus of Shut the F Up, which the house obliged with gusto !

A fab set, fast, furious, full of energy and great musicianship. Annisokay are a band I will definitely we watching out for to see again soon.

Setlist

Into the Abyss

Throne of the Sunset

Ultraviolet

Like a Parasite

Get Your Shit Together

One Step Closer (Linkin Park cover)

Human

Coma Blue

Calamity

Shut The F Up

Then its time for tonight’s headliners on their “Bleed Out” world tour, it’s Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation. Formed in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerhol, they’ve just been confirmed as appearing in the 2025 Download Festival roster.

I have to say, how brilliantly the media were treated. Photographers were allowed to shoot the first three songs from anywhere in the arena, and songs 4-5 in the pit. We were also invited back into the pit if we wanted for songs 9-10. More of that later.

Taking up a position in the entrance area of the concourse facing the main stage I had a fantastic view of the stage set up. The stage was simply incredible, with huge pillars and archways, and ginormous screens in the archways and along the back of the stage. The lights dim and the band step out as the light show kicks off.

The visuals are incredible, with smoke and lighting supported by images on the screens. In the second song the fittingly named Bleed Out, Sharon appeared up on a hidden balcony apparently floating in the middle of the video screens. As she sings the scene explodes with big cascading drops of blood brings an audible gasp from the crowd.

Dressed in an elegant black gown Sharon glides round the stage. The sound system is set up perfectly to deliver her stunning voice perfectly her crisp clear tones bouncing off the walls as she switches between high operatic tones and deeper delivery with ease. There is a grand scale to the visuals, but with a dark side to it, with the dripping blood and images of war.

The set was packed with fan favourites, but for me Don't Pray for Meb and Shot in the Dark were fantastic and showed off Westerhol’s guitar skills with some stunning riffs driving the songs along.

I headed back into the pit for songs 9 and 10, for the highlight of the night. With Blind8 unable to perform in Nottingham, Within temptation were joined on stage by Alex Yarmak to perform A Fools Parade. The collaboration was released earlier this year, and after the song, Alex addressed the crowd about the illegal war currently waging in his homeland. The big screen showed a QR code. Prfits from the songs release and any donations on tour are being given to Music Saves UA. The crowd erupted in shouts and cheers of support and it was a truly moving moment.

As Alex left the stage Sharon is joined by none other than Tarja Turunen, perhaps best known to many as the former singer with Nightwish. Tarja is classically trained and has released a number of classical albums as well as her metal work. What occurs next is simply mind blowing. Sharon and Tarja have almost magical connection, the tone balance between them is simply sensational, and they have the audience listening in silence as they waltz through The Promise and one of Tarja’s songs I Feel Immortal. Tarja leaves the stage waving to the crowd and to huge cheers. It’s a moment we will all remember.

As the set draws to a close, we enjoy a number of their best known fan favourites, such as Faster and All I Need, which kicks off the encore. To everyone’s amazement, Tarja steps out once again to perform with Sharon again on Paradise (What About Us?) before the show finally comes to an end with a powerful and energetic rendition of their hit Mother Earth which truly epic.

Annisokay were a fantastic support and I can see why they are so popular on the UK live scene, and as for Within Temptation, they delivered a performance for the ages. A stunning visual set, incredible guests, and stunning vocals. But most of all, the band were incredibly tight, every element complimenting the others in perfect balance. It was clear Within Temptation loved performing tonight as they posed for the obligatory fan photo.

Back out in the cold and rain, as I walked to the car, I couldn’t be happier, and like everyone around me, the talk was of what a special night we had been fortunate to be part of.

And with them back next summer for Download…… it can’t come quick enough !

Setlist

We Go to War

Bleed Out

Ritual

Don't Pray for Me

Wireless

The Reckoning

Shot in the Dark

Stand My Ground

A Fool’s Parade (with Alex Yarmak)

The Promise (with Tarja)