The Warlocks / O2 Academy / Islington
A barmy hot summers evening as we head down the East Coast line to London. For a change trains on time and it’s a stress free journey. Nothing worse than worrying you arrive late at a gig !
We’re heading to the O2 Academy in Islington to catch the Warlocks on their short 2025 UK tour. This one is especially exciting as in support we have Birmingham psych-shocking, sonics-rockin’ Solar Eyes.
We head upstairs into Academy2 for tonight’s show, and its pleasing to see the place pretty full for the support act. Solar Eyes is the creation of Glenn Smyth (vocals and guitar) and Sebastian Maynard Francis (drums). Their sound is a mix of psychedelic with influences from the likes of acid-dipped soundscapes and melodies of the likes of Primal Scream, the Chemical Brothers and Spacemen 3, and there’s a heavy dose of 90’s indie rock reminiscent of the likes of the Happy Mondays.
Having recently signed with Fierce Panda Records, who have worked with the likes of Coldplay and Death Cab for Cutie, they recently release the singles Murdering Hippies and most recently Time Waits for No One both featured tonight.
Walking out onto the stage, Glenn reminded me somewhat of Brendan Brown (Wheatus) with his bucket hat and sunglasses, as well as his physical sunny disposition and relaxed stage persona. They started off with the bright She Kissed the Gun, and right from the off, the quality of their musicianship was there, laid bare for all to see. Next up was the title track of their 2022 EP Alcatraz which delivered a heavily rock inspired feel to the set.
My highlights were definitely the most recent singles Murdering Hippies and most recently Time Waits for No One, the latter has a wonderful Happy Mondays vibe to it, with its infectious dance beat. A great track, full of optimism, about being stuck / trapped in life and looking for a positive way forward. Solar Eyes have that certain something, bringing a freshness to the genre. The tracks are kind of infectious and pick you up and carry you along to the beat.
Closing with Take Me to the Man, a fantastic lively and powerful set closer which had the growing audience tapping feet, and nodding along.
For a relatively new band, I was impressed with their stagecraft and presence. A thoroughly enjoyable set. With new album “Live Freaky! Die Freaky!” due for release on 26th September via Fierce Panda Records I can’t wait to check it out, and see them in a full headline set.
Solar Eyes are packed with skill and promise and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them as they grow in confidence and hopefully, go a long way in the music industry.
Watch out for Solar Eyes…… Definitely worth a look !
Setlist
She Kissed the Gun (Single 2025)
Alcatraz (Alcatraz EP 2022)
Time Waits for No One (Single 2025)
Dreaming of the Moon (Dreaming of the Moon EP 2022)
Let’s Run Away (Single 2024)
Murdering Hippies (Single 2025)
(At Least) Paranoia Loves You (Single 2024)
Take Me to the Man (Single 2024)
A short break, to re-arrange the stage and grab a cooling drink from the bar, and we’re ready for tonight’s headliners – The Warlocks.
The Warlocks are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1998 by the guitarist/singer Bobby Hecksher. The band's musical style has ranged from psychedelic rock to drone music and pretty much every stop on the way between the two. There have been many changes in personnel since their formation, with Hecksher the only constant member, and tonight’s lineup consists of Bobby Hecksher (vocals & guitar), John Christian Rees (guitar), Earl V. Miller (guitar) Marlena Schwenck (bass) and Oscar Ruvalcaba (drums).
Releasing their debut “Rise and Fall” in 2001, they’ve produced 15 studio albums, 3 live albums and numerous compilations, culminating in 2025’s “In Between Sad”.
It’s clear how popular the Warlocks are, as the Academy is pretty full now, and there’s a definite buzz in the air.
One of the undoubted legacies of the Warlocks is their desire to experiment and push boundaries. Not restricted by genre stereotypes, and maybe this legacy of ever shifting styles is in part attributable to the ever-changing line-ups over their illustrious 20 year history. Having been an eight-piece outfit with 2 drummers, they’re currently a more standard 5 piece.
And tonight, they deliver a stunning performance of their hybrid psyche/folk rock sound with an underlying confidence that immediately puts you at ease. There are no tricks here, no smoke and effect, just pure, unadulterated beautiful melodies, subtly shifting tempos and a display of quality guitar craft.
They open with We Are All Lost taken from 2025’s “The Manic Excessive Sounds of” 2025) with it’s icon and repeated chorus section of “we are all lost children“. Perhaps the most powerful track on the latest album, it makes a perfect set opener allowing the guitars to introduce themselves in a memorable way, the lyrics haunting in their tone “no-one ever took the time to explain to me, how tired and melancholy life can be“. We’re off to a great start !
We have another new track next with You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart also from the new album, and here the psychedelic heart of the new album starts to really shine through with it’s powerful solos and raw riffs creating depth. “
Bobby is a charismatic frontman, and he talks at length with the crowd between songs. The place is packed out by now and the temperature in the room is rising, but no one seems to care, everyone completely absorbed in the show.
One of my highlights of the set was Lonesome Bulldog taken from 2016’s “Songs from the Pale Eclipse”, a short break and chance to relax and be enveloped by the sonic waves intelligently crafted before the driving power of pure rock ‘n roll returns once again this time with It’s Just Like Surgery taken from the 2005 album “Surgery”. Perhaps a more mainstream, less psychedelic trac k and more commercial brand of rock.
Towards the end of the set, they reach right back into the archives for Shake the Dope Out, taken from 2003’s “Phoenix” with it’s high energy tone, perhaps the track of the set. As the set draws to a close, we return to the new album for It’s A Fucked-Up World, a track that perhaps perfectly reflects the crazy, messed up world we find ourselves in, in 2025.
What a show. The Warlocks were on great form and took us on a tour of the nightlights of the new album, whilst dipping into their extensive back catalogue of songs. I come away tonight having thoroughly enjoyed the performances and feeling like The Warlocks haven’t perhaps had the critical acclaim they deserve. The variety in styles perhaps is a factor, not locking in any one audience ? But for me, the variety and complexity of the mix is what makes The Warlocks so so special, and based on tonight’s performance tonight, long may they continue!
Setlist
We Are All Lost (“The Manic Excessive Sounds of” 2025)
You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart (“The Manic Excessive Sounds of” 2025)
A Duel Between You and I (“The Manic Excessive Sounds of” 2025)
Double Life (“The Chain” 2020)
Mr Boogeyman (“The Chain” 2020)
Lonesome Bulldog (“Songs from the Pale Eclipse” 2016)
Gypsy Nightmare (“Surgery” 2005)
It’s Just Like Surgery (“Surgery” 2005)
Shake the Dope Out (“Phoenix” 2003)
It’s a Fucked Up World (“The Manic Excessive Sounds of” 2025)
