Review
Emma Wilkes
/ 19 January 2026
Review
The Ayrshire arena-conquerers might be a man down on the Futique tour, but they sound as bright and fearless as ever
It’s a resounding feat for Biffy Clyro to now be headlining The O2 for the fifth time, but it’s not quite business as usual. Although they’ve kept the same core line-up for their 30-year lifetime, their trio has suffered a temporary fracture. Their new album Futique was shaped by inter-band strains stemming from bassist James Johnston’s issues with mental health and addiction, which have now bled into their touring cycle. In order to get himself in a better frame of mind, he’s sitting these shows out.
His absence wasn’t going unnoticed. Midway through the evening, vocalist/guitarist Simon Neil offers a salute to his friend before the Scots aptly slide into one of Futique’s strongest new cuts Friendshipping, a warping, pacy ode to the ebb and flow of one of life’s most important bonds. He also takes a moment to shout out “lizard of music” Naomi McLeod, filling in on bass (and looking impeccably cool as she does it). Despite everything, they’ve lost not a drop of their fortitude.
Propped up by violinists and “lizard of music” Naomi McLeod of Empire State Bastard Biffy’s vim and vigour glows brightly from the stage, imaginatively set up with blocks, stairs and high-wattage beams of light. The rousing opening pair of ‘A Little Love’ and ‘Hunting Season’ are an artistic, slow-burning warm up with the band playing surrounded by curtains looking like they were pilfered from a ghostly attic, but ‘That Golden Rule’ arrives like a shot of lightning and almost feels like the show’s true start.
Over the next hour-and-three-quarters, the band’s emotional core feels as strong as their crowd-pleasing riffs. Of their new material, it’s the tender yet mournful ‘Goodbye’ that receives one of the strongest reactions, while ‘Space’ is evidently cherished by everyone here.
The setlist is straight-forward in contrast to the tricksy curveballs of their intimate A Celebration Of Beginnings shows the last time they toured, but the crowd is most eager for the old favourites. Their final stretch is especially stacked, veering from the storminess of ‘The Captain’ and ‘Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies’ to the euphoria of ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Many Of Horror’. Even when the chips are down, Biffy Clyro can always be relied upon for an arena show of big-hearted, epic proportions.
Biffy Clyro conclude their Futique Tour in January, but return this summer with a Finsbury Park show on 3 July. Find tickets and VIP packages here
Photo credits: Sarah Jeynes
