Gig review: Madina Lake at Rescue Rooms

For those lucky enough to score a VIP ticket, the night began an hour earlier with an exclusive experience: those fans were treated to a special acoustic set from Madina Lake, creating an intimate atmosphere before the main event. The band also took the time to meet fans, sign merch, and pose for photos, making it a truly memorable moment for those in attendance. For everyone else, the show kicked off an hour later—but regardless of when the night started, one thing was certain: Madina Lake delivered an unforgettable performance for all.

Kicking off the night, New York-based band Bad Luck took the stage, setting the tone with an energetic and captivating performance. Composed of brothers Dominick and Joseph Fox, along with childhood friends Michael Sichel and Charlie Caruso, the band wasted no time in making a strong impression as fans filtered into Rescue Rooms. This marked their third time playing in Nottingham, and it truly felt like a privilege to witness their dynamic set. Their sound, reminiscent of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, blended raw emotion with infectious melodies, making them a perfect fit to open the show.

The second support act of the night was Greywind, the alternative emo-rock duo from Ireland, formed by siblings Steph and Paul O'Sullivan. From the moment they took the stage, they commanded attention, with lead singer Steph making a striking entrance—her back to the audience, holding a red rose.

The set wasn’t without its unexpected moments. In a slight mishap, the drummer enthusiastically tossed his stick into the crowd a bit too soon, accidentally hitting a fan. But in a true display of rock 'n' roll charm, he made up for it by handing over the rose, leaving the fan delighted to walk away with both souvenirs.

As soon as they launched into Swing and Sway, the energy in the room surged, with the crowd jumping and dancing along. Steph’s stage presence was magnetic, exuding a mix of Blondie and Cyndi Lauper vibes as she moved across the stage in her leather jacket and gloves, embodying a bold, '80s rock aesthetic that was impossible not to love. Between songs, she repeatedly declared Nottingham her new favorite city, further winning over the crowd. Greywind’s performance was nothing short of electric, proving why they’re a band to watch in the alternative rock scene. They ended their set with the first song they ever wrote, Afterthoughts, a song about their uncle.

Nostalgia filled the air as fans eagerly discussed which songs they hoped would make Madina Lake’s setlist. With the band having been around for over a decade, their music holds a special place in many hearts—and for those wanting a keepsake, signed setlists were available at the merch stand upstairs.

As the anticipation built, a haunting piano melody played for the first five minutes, heightening the excitement before the American rockers finally took the stage. Drummer Mateo Camargo and guitarist Chris Mason were the first to emerge, setting the tone before twin brothers Nathan and Matthew Leone sprinted on to a wave of cheers.

Nathan wasted no time engaging with the crowd, encouraging fans to “let yourself rip in any way you feel fit” and playfully reassuring them that they hadn’t aged a day. A nod to their history, we are reminded that the last time they were considered "newcomers" was back in 2007 when Kerrang! gave them that title. From that moment on, it was clear this was going to be a night of pure energy, passion, and a celebration of their enduring legacy.

Adding to the party-like atmosphere, frontman Nathan playfully tossed cans—presumably cider or beer—into the crowd, with eager fans catching them and sharing as he encouraged. The energy only amped up as giant confetti-filled balloons bounced around the room, eventually bursting to shower the audience in a colourful cascade.

Madina Lake delivered exactly what the crowd had been hoping for, playing all their biggest hits from the 2000s, including anthems such as Never Take Us Alive and Let’s Get Outta Here. The excitement was palpable, and with Rescue Rooms completely sold out—even the balcony packed with fans—it was clear that Nottingham was ready and waiting for this long-awaited night of nostalgia and high-energy rock.

Nathan rallied the crowd with a heartfelt reminder: “Let’s not stress about yesterday—let’s live for tonight.” And that’s exactly what Nottingham did. From the first note, mosh pits erupted, fuelling the electric energy in the room.

As the night intensified, Nathan grinned and asked, “Nottingham, are you ready to get weird?” The crowd roared in response, and without hesitation, the band launched into a blistering cover of Nookie by Limp Bizkit—a perfect choice to send the mosh pits into overdrive. The energy was unrelenting, making it a moment that truly embodied the spirit of the night.

As the evening drew to a close, frontman Nathan took a moment to connect with the crowd one last time. With a smile, he admitted, “I don’t remember much these days, but I do remember Nottingham. We’ve missed you!” The heartfelt words were met with thunderous cheers, a testament to the band’s enduring bond with their fans.

With emotions running high and the energy in the room still electric, Madina Lake launched into one of their final songs of the night—Here I Stand. The anthemic track, a fan favourite from their debut album, had the entire venue singing along, voices uniting in a powerful chorus. Arms were raised, heads were thrown back, and for those few minutes, it felt like no time had passed since the band's early days. It was the perfect ending to a night filled with nostalgia, raw energy, and a deep appreciation between the band and their devoted fans.

Madina Lake performed at Rescue Rooms on 7th February 2025, with support from Greywind and Bad Luck.