Biffy Clyro at Finsbury Park

For 20 years now, Biffy Clyro’s singular mix of emotional vulnerability and raw grit has captivated. Blending math rock, post-hardcore and a newer, softer sound, their versatile arsenal promises a brilliant set for the largest gig of their career.

Finsbury Park’s 40,000-person capacity feels ready tonight, warmed up by Biffy Clyro’s selected bill of openers that included Nothing But Thieves and Don Broco, heavyweights in their own right.

Beginning with a dramatic entrance, a haunting Bulgarian choral song rouses the crowd. Frontman Simon Neil greets the venue before slamming straight into the set, sounding off two heavy tracks, The Captain and That Golden Rule, much to the audience’s glee. Barely stopping to catch a breath, Neil brings out a flamethrower ahead of the track Who’s Got a Match? “We’re gonna play some old stuff, and some new stuff, and I’m gonna hold this f*cking flamethrower.”

True to his word, what follows is an angsty deep cut from their debut album, Justboy, which really showcases the evolution of their sound. Playing three fan favourites straight after, the show lights up, literally, with pyrotechnics and coloured smoke keeping the venue hypnotised. For God & Satan, they only have to lead the crowd, who follow each verse in whole, singing in unison throughout Finsbury Park.

The band’s skill is faultless throughout the set, with Neil’s vocals continuing to cut through the excitable buzz and the group’s instrumental prowess on full display. Taking a theatrical turn, an interlude of strong instrumentals and a showcase of their craft follows Space: the next few numbers are a mix of mesmerising violin-led verses and crashing choruses that show the group’s versatility and talent. At one point, an a cappella version of There’s No Such Man as Crasp unfolds, beautiful but lost in chatter. Black Chandelier soon commands them, bringing unity from the first “drip”. It’s a highlight of the gig, as every word is sung back with conviction. The same happens for Mountains, and after a final, climactic verse, the screens cut to black, and an abrupt silence falls, no denial at all of an encore.

Slow and intimate, Machines changes the pace when they return. After a verse, Neil introduces special guest Jamie Campbell Bower. The actor’s presence is ethereal, almost unbelievable in this setting, but his voice lights up the rendition, making one of Biffy Clyro’s most heartfelt tracks all the more moving. Switching it up to something more hardcore, Wolves of Winter livens up the atmosphere, keeping everyone absorbed as this encore becomes one to remember. Bubbles keeps this alive and sees a united audience riled up, singing and clapping along.

Finishing with the inevitable, Many of Horror is exquisite, made so much louder by everyone knowing every word. As the final chorus hits, a firework display gives the song the grandiosity it calls for. Ending on such a high note, Biffy Clyro’s largest show is a journey through their discography, showcasing their charisma, talent and sound so well.