Biffy Clyro at the O2 Arena

Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro use energetic lighting and visual art to enhance their pleasing mix of ballads and heavier rock at the O2 Arena. Performing in the massive venue, vocalist Simon Neil has an easy, engaging but not over-the-top rapport with the audience, who need no encouragement to sing along, clapping and stomping.

The show is visually compelling, with excellent lighting design that acts like a work of art in itself. Tiny square compositions of various red renaissance paintings whizz across the background screen as the band plays A Hunger in Your Haunt, with red and white flashing lights blazing in time with the beat. In Black Chandelier, the spotlights create a ship-like halo mist across the stage, whilst during That Golden Rule the band incorporate a perfectly timed, flashing light show with the fans clapping to truly bring the song into four dimensions. This theme carries on throughout the night – the attention to detail must be commended.

Even when the background screen is simply displaying the band members it incorporates illustrative treatments and timed sequences to elevate the visual experience beyond what one would usually expect to see. This is a very artistic, holistic concert that uses everything at its disposal to create the best possible overall experience. It’s a long set, but the pacing and visual allure keeps it from dragging.

After a fast-paced opening, Biffy Clyro mix up the pace with softer, instrumental numbers including Instant History and Biblical, winding down into more emotive vibes as the night draws to a close. The band have an impressively diverse musical range, with all points on the spectrum providing their own perks. Some of their heavier songs, such as Who’s Got a Match, don’t feel as lyrically advanced, but the incorporation of their full range highlights the group’s multiple strengths.

Biffy Clyro’s softer songs may not be mosh-pit favourites, but the remarkable expressive timing of their musical inflection creates a feeling of melancholic awe and beauty. Songs like God and Satan and Many of Horror are addictive because they just sound so right – they hit the perfect emotional notes.

Sophia Moss
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Biffy Clyro’s website here.

Watch the video for the single God and Satan here: