LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: RØRY AT O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN, LONDON 06/03/2025
Full photo gallery here
London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town was flooded with a diverse crowd of rock enthusiasts, raring up for a memorable evening that was about to unfold. A solid lineup of artists and bands prepared to take the stage ahead of the main act RØRY.
Starting off early tonight we had singer-songwriter and poet Campbell King accompanied by their guitarist for a very intimate setting to those who came through the doors early. Through introspective lyrics, and melodic hooks that created an intimate yet expansive atmosphere, they showed raw vulnerability and authenticity which was well received by the audience who cheered and connected with them throughout the performance.
Brighton’s dynamic duo Lake Malice came blasting onto stage next, with a sound self-described as a unique blend of hyper pop and metal, with heavy guitar riffs accompanied by catchy synth. Formed during the pandemic by guitarist Blake Cornwall and vocalist Alice Guala, the band delivered a high-energy performance, with Guala proving her prowess as a vocalist, effortlessly switching from clean vocals to guttural growls whilst Cornwall’s unmatched energy on guitar complemented her very well. The frontwoman also demanded an unusual Congo mosh pit with the help of Cornwall who came in the pit and her demands were happily met by the moshers in the audience. A devilishly fun and exciting first opener, suitably getting the crowd warmed up early on.
Nottingham’s finest As December Falls were up next, keeping the energy going throughout their electrifying, lively set. Opening the set with “Ride” from their self-titled album (2019), straight in to the full on bouncy energy that can be expected from the band if you’re already familiar with their music. Vocalist Bethany Curtis knows how to work a crowd, as she commanded the stage with her undeniable charisma and impressive vocals captivating the room. The band’s stage presence was infectiously fun throughout their very fast paced set, effortlessly getting the entirety of the busy venue bouncing along. The setlist was carefully curated, the quartet playing songs such as “Mayday” and “Little by Little” from the album Join the Club (2023) or “I Don’t Feel Like Feeling Great” from 2021’s album Happier, also performing “Therapy” and “Angry Cry” from their upcoming fourth studio album Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine (out August 8), giving the audience a taste of what’s to come. The energetic performance ended with the pop-punk anthem “Carrousel”, setting the mood perfectly for the rest of the evening.
There was a sense of female power in the air as RØRY emerged onto the stage from the shadows and opened up the sold-out show with “In The Bible“, under loud cheers and deafening applause that resonated from every corner of the room. It is worth noting that her set was mostly supported by a lineup of non-male vocalists, well in tune with the headliner’s empowering tour de force that was about to unfold. She then launched in to “if pain could talk, what would I say?” followed by “UNCOMPLICATED”, with the same energy and passion in front of church windows as stage backdrop.
Before stepping into the spotlight with her own voice, the self-proclaimed sadcore singer honed her composing craft by writing for major artists such as Charli XCX, You Me at Six and All-American Rejects, cementing herself as a talented songwriter in the music scene which she easily translated into her own solo project.
As the performance went on, RØRY captivated the audience with her electric stage presence and strong vocals, her charisma on full show. Showcasing her remarkable journey from her various EP releases, Good Die Young (2022) with the songs “Help Your Friend Get Sober” and “Jesus & John Lennon” and Family Drama (2023) with “ANTI-REPRESSANT”, and “ALTERNATIVE” through to her debut album RESTORATION (released on January 31) with ‘’MORALITY SUICIDE”, “WOLVES”, ‘’hold on’’, ‘’The Atheist’’, she stormed through a set of powerful tracks. She was joined on stage by As December Falls’s vocalist Bethany Curtis for “My Funeral Song”, asking the crowd to take part and get on the floor. “I’m 40 and I’m doing it’, she joked.
“I thought I was too old for the music industry and here I am” she also said, under loud applause and cheers from the audience.
Her music, diving into hard-hitting topics, is empowering, full of deep emotions, fueled by passion and her own experiences battling past traumas such as losing her mum to cancer and drinking her way through it, which she also talked about in her many streams of consciousness in between songs. There was something fundamentally cathartic about this entire show, for both herself and the fans, and the crowd’s response was a testament to that, lyrics passionately belted out through every song.
RØRY’s connection with the audience is raw, sincere, often interacting with the crowd and pausing to take it all in. She loves her fans unconditionally and the love was reciprocated back tonight with their unwavering support and energy. In the last 5 years, RØRY has cultivated a dedicated fan base, and rightfully so. Her engaging social media presence, notably on TikTok and through ADHD Love, her ADHD awareness platform, has played a significant role in her success. She also proudly mentioned the ’’37 CLUB'‘, a dedicated group of fans who have created a Facebook support page to offer mutual support and friendship to those in need.
In the second half of the set RØRY, whose real name is Roxanne Emery, got even closer to the fans by performing the heartfelt acoustic tracks ‘’One Drink Away’’ and “the apology I’ll never receive” on the balcony, before stepping back onto the main stage to perform the remaining of the set.
“Thank you from the bottom of my broken heart” she later exclaimed as she faded in the dark, before returning for the encore moments later to perform “SORRY IM LATE” and “BLOSSOM”. RØRY eventually ended a set full of emotionally heavy and powerful songs, the crowd filled with raw emotions and unforgettable memories.
Words and photos by Florelle Servageon.
Full setlist below:
In The Bible
if pain could talk, what would it say?
UNCOMPLICATED
Baby Vendetta
Help Your Friends Get Sober
My Chemical Romance
My Funeral Song
Jesus & John Lennon
ANTI-REPRESSANT
ALTERNATIVE
FAMILY TREE
One Drink Away
the apology i'll never receive
MORALITY $UICIDE
hold on
WOLVES
The Atheist
SORRY I’M LATE
BLOSSOM
