On 10 November, I attended Nothing But Thieves’ Dead Club City 2023 Tour for the first night of a two day sold out Wembley gig. The band’s latest album Dead Club City was released in July 2023 and featured hit tracks such as Welcome to the DCC, Overcome and Do you love me yet? to name a few. The album is a concept album of the dead club city, a futuristic alternative world where anything can happen. The sold out UK and European Tour has taken this concept to the road to immerse fans in the DCC (dead club city). From the very beginning from entering the venue, fans are greeted with the album cover as a photo opportunity and digital boards with lyrics from many of the songs featured on the album in bold lettering. This added touch really emphasised the vibe of the album and someone having something you want and you will do anything to achieve peace, heaven or whatever form of euphoria needed.
Inside the arena, the atmosphere was electric and supports acts King Nun and Everything Everything had the perfect opportunity to build on that atmosphere bubbling. After the support acts, fans were greeted with the audio of the Dead Club Radio which was an interesting element that helped immerse the audience into ideas explored throughout the album. I thought this was a fun way to keep fans entertained while waiting for the band’s arrival on stage. The audio was created to sound like a radio station with a presenter introducing the next track and hinting to their special guest performing in the Dead Club City – spoiler its Nothing But Thieves. I enjoyed the radio’s weather segment, where the weather can be anything you want it to be and then Mr Blue Sky begins playing. There was also an interview with a member of the fictional band the zeros. The final song played on the DCC radio was Gimme Gimme by ABBA. If you want a crowd to go feral with excitement, this is the song to play. I have never heard so many people belt out the lyrics and harmonise with each other. It was the perfect choice to create an atmosphere.
Nothing But Thieves approached the stage with a crescendo of instrumental introductions that exploded into Welcome to the DCC and set the pace and tone for the rest of the evening. I’ve seen the band perform twice before at London’s Roundhouse and Alexandra Palace, so I knew I was in for a treat. Both shows were fantastic and showcased the bands skills on stage. However, the Wembley show hit a new level of skill. Frontman, Conor is very talented vocally and he owned the iconic Wembley stage with his dancing and showmanship. Favourites from the setlist included, Sorry, Overcome, Impossible, Do you love me yet? , phobia and Tomorrow is Closed. But of course, the whole setlist was exceptional. I am greedy and despite the hour and a half set, I wanted more. The staging was simple but effective that allowed the band to take centre stage without becoming overwhelmed with extravagant staging and special visuals.
There is something very special about experiencing live music and singing along with strangers to songs that are well-loved. The change in pace between slower ballads and the rock orientated tracks helped the audience enjoy the range in the band’s discography. The crowd, and myself included, didn’t miss a lyric or a beat and I could feel the force of excitement and adoration for the music. This was a triumph and a night to remember, I cannot wait for the next album and see where Nothing But Thieves takes fans to next. I love the themes that the band’s music poetically explores and how they are unafraid to experiment musically and this is emphasised by Dead Club City album.
Watch my mini-vlog of the evening below posted on TikTok.
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