There will always be room for earnest rock performed by shirtless men singing about their feelings, as the heartfelt headbangers Biffy Clyro demonstrated during their euphoric concert at 3Arena in Dublin. Defying the freezing weather outside, the frontman Simon Neil materialised from behind shroud-like netting topless and tattooed, a Biffy tradition since their formative days on the Glasgow underground circuit.
Biffy are hardcore rockers who understand the value of a hug. Amid the chugging guitars, Neil’s lyrics explore his struggles with depression and self-worth. That vulnerability is again front and centre on the latest album, Futique, which celebrates the group’s shared history and enduring friendship. They kicked off with the LP’s first track, A Little Love, a valentine to platonic relationships inspired by a brief falling-out between Neil and his bandmates, the twins James (bass) and Ben Johnston (drums).
Futique — a made-up portmanteau of “future” and “antique” — came together after the trio lost touch during the pandemic. The reunion has alas proved short-lived. James is sitting out the tour due to “addiction and mental health” issues. He has been replaced by the Dublin session musician Naomi MacLeod, who was cheered with gusto by the hometown crowd throughout the set.
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Musically, they were as direct as a headlong leap into a mosh pit. However, Biffy balanced that sweaty ferocity with the same arty streak that once led them to hire the Pink Floyd designer Storm Thorgerson for their album art. Their desire to bring a wow factor to the staid world of arena rock was on full display as the show opened with the musicians hidden behind dramatic drapes. These rose to reveal a split-level stage framed in ghostly netting.
Biffy Clyro’s dramatic staging goes beyond what you would expect from arena rock
GUY PRIVES/GETTY IMAGES
The high production values paid off. During the fragile ballad One Shot, Neil climbed two flights of stairs, impressing with his falsetto and head for heights. But they dialled the bombast back up for an encore rip through the blistering Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies.
This exuberantly raw and unfiltered performance closed with the catchy early hit Many of Horror, the sort of agreeable mid-tempo rock-out even Simon Cowell might appreciate. In fact, he did enjoy it — to the point of having Matt Cardle cover it after his 2010 X Factor win (retitled When We Collide at Biffy’s request). That generosity and lack of snobbery go to the heart of Biffy Clyro and their incandescent frontman, a shirtless rocker who has never been afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve.
★★★★☆
Touring to Jan 21, biffyclyro.com
Biffy Clyro setlist at 3Arena, Dublin, on January 10
1. A Little Love
2. Hunting Season
3. That Golden Rule
4. Who’s Got A Match?
5. Shot One
6. Space
7. Wolves of Winter
8. Tiny Indoor Fireworks
9. Goodbye
10. Friendshipping
11. Biblical
12. A Thousand and One
13. Different People
14. Hunger In Your Haunt
15. Black Chandelier
16. Instant History
17. Mountains
18. Two People In Love
19. Machines
20. The Captain
21. Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies
22. Bubbles
23. Many of Horror