Airbourne
- Rock Metal Machine
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
Artists: Airbourne, Asomvel, Avalanche
Venue: Roundhouse (London)
Date: 28th February 2026
"In Joel O’Keeffe they have an unstoppable force of nature. A man who has set a new standard in dynamic stage performance. I predict they will only get bigger, brighter, and better over the coming years."
It was an instant yes from me when I received an email asking if I would like to review and take photographs of Airbourne. I had shot them for three songs at Download and thoroughly enjoyed what little I saw, so the opportunity to catch an entire set was welcomed like a stripper at a stag party. The location for this evening’s entertainment was the Roundhouse in Camden. I have been going to concerts in London for forty-five years, but how I’ve never set foot inside this incredible venue until now is a complete mystery to me. The first word that sprang to mind when I walked into the arena was ‘Wow!’ The architectural design of this building is breathtaking.
Tonight we had a three-band bill; the other two acts performing were Avalanche and Asomvel. So we had ourselves a real triple AAA line-up.
First up was Avalanche, a quartet from Sydney, Australia. Thus far they have released one album entitled ‘Armed To The Teeth’. A line-up that features Steven Campbell on bass & vocals, Veronica “V” Campbell on lead guitar, Blake Poulton on rhythm guitar, and Bon Lowe on drums. Even though it was still fairly early when they hit the stage, the venue was pretty busy. Right from the opening chords it was clear what they were all about. An unashamedly brash and brazen Rock ‘n’ Roll band. I suspect they had Rose Tattoo and AC/DC records within their collections when they were growing up. But you can tell they’re proud of their influences and are worn like a badge of honour. Despite having very little room on stage and minimal lighting, they played like their lives depended on it. The audience warmed to them immediately. They have an instantly appealing sound. Big guitar riffs and pounding drum beats, all delivered with an intensity that we’ve come to expect from bands in 2026. With song titles like ‘On The Bags Again’ and ‘Dad, I Joined A Rock N’ Roll Band’, it’s clear that this band wants to get the party started and keep it going until the early hours of the morning. The audience continued to grow, and as each song passed, the band gained more momentum.
Frontman Steven Campbell is the band’s master of ceremonies. He knows exactly what the job description entails and strikes up a good rapport with the horde in front of him. Lead guitarist Veronica Campbell is a star performer and shows that the girls can rock out just as hard as the boys. Their set flew by, and in the blink of an eye they were gone, but in their allotted time they had done everything they were meant to. The match had been thrown on the bonfire, and the flames were beginning to grow.
© Myke Gray Photography
Next up was Asomvel, a homegrown band from up north. I have seen them play many times, and I’m a big fan. Their work ethic, commitment and total dedication are admirable. They live, breathe and sleep Rock ‘n’ Roll 24/7, and if you want a career in this industry, then you have to. They have built a formidable reputation over the last couple of years as one of the country’s best live bands, and you could sense the anticipation for their arrival in the air. An ominous wall of Marshall stacks go from one side of the stage to the other. The musical equivalent of “Archers ready”. What follows is an assault on the senses. They open their set with ‘King Of The World’, and no prisoners are taken. Singer and bassist Ralph Robinson is an unquestionable star. He hits the stage at speed, covering every possible inch available to him. Yes, he looks, plays and sings like Lemmy, but who gives a fuck? Certainly no one in the audience.
The charismatic frontman is flanked on either side by guitarists Lenny and Stel Robinson. All three are dressed in black leather jackets, black jeans and boots. It’s a powerful and iconic image that never ages. The line-up is completed by powerhouse drummer Ryan Thackwray. It only takes them one song to win over the entire audience. Next up on the jukebox is my personal favourite, ‘Louder And Louder’. For me, their ability to write catchy and commercial Heavy Metal songs is what they do best. The onslaught continues with ‘Born To Rock And Roll’; the pace and intensity are unrelenting. The stagecraft of the three outfield players is perfectly aligned. Every possible combination is thought through and carried out with military precision. The guitar sounds are immense, but like everything, God is in the detail. The band’s secret weapon is drummer Ryan Thackwray. This man is a monster, and if there is a better Metal drummer in the UK, I haven’t seen them. His speed, power and precision is world class.
The pace doesn’t drop, and for this reason they are able to cram twelve songs into a forty-five-minute set. They finish a blistering set with ‘The Nightmare Ain’t Over’ to the now-packed auditorium. It would be easy to think they were the headline band, such was the response. Asomvel is a clearly defined brand. They tell you exactly what you’re going to get, and they deliver it with maximum intensity and ruthless efficiency. There is no doubting their self-belief. I predict they will grow in size and stature over the coming years and see no reason why they can’t become a global act if they keep up the momentum and consistency.
© Myke Gray Photography
Time for the main attraction.
The first thing that I notice is that the audience is extremely boisterous. I haven’t seen a crowd foaming at the mouth like this for quite some time. When the band take to the stage, they completely lose their shit. A relentless stream of flailing bodies drop into the photo pit. The security do their best to prevent anyone from getting hurt, including the photographers. They open with their latest single ‘Gutsy’, and within ten seconds you know exactly why they are the headliners. Singer and guitarist Joel O’Keeffe bounds onto the stage bare-chested, in ripped jeans, gripping a battered white Gibson Explorer, looking like a character from a Mad Max movie.
I am watching an incredibly tight band; their power and ferocity are something to behold. Years of relentless touring have turned them into a well-oiled killing machine. I am acutely aware that no matter who the band is, the sum will always be greater than the parts, but in Joel O’Keeffe they probably have the most dynamic Rock star in the world right now. It’s as if somewhere in deepest Australia, scientists in a secret laboratory somehow managed to merge the DNA of Angus Young and Bon Scott and create the ultimate Rock star. The energy this man exudes is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I’ve seen a lot. He never stops; one moment he’s screaming his lungs out, the next he’s delivering a blistering guitar solo, and then he’s jumping off the drum riser. It’s relentless. You don’t have to be a musical genius to know Airbourne are heavily influenced by AC/DC, but the main thing that separates them is the intensity in which they play. AC/DC have more swing to their groove, whereas Airbourne play with much more ferocity. But have no doubt this is blood and guts Rock ‘n’ Roll. A continual stream of fist-clenching anthems are played in quick succession with very little pause for breath. But this is the Joel O’Keeffe show; don’t get me wrong, the whole band are amazing, but he is something beyond human. While sitting on a security guard’s shoulders, he goes into the audience ripping out a killer guitar solo. At various points in the evening he smashes cans of beer into his skull, making it explode everywhere. Every time he does it, the crowd loves him a little bit more. At another point he runs round the entire balcony, ripping a guitar solo in the face of anyone that catches his eye. Yes, Angus used to do it, but he doesn’t do it anymore. And that really is the key to their appeal and success. AC/DC, who, in my opinion, are the greatest Rock And Roll band to ever walk the earth, are now in their 70s, and they tour infrequently. There is a big demand for this brand of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Airbourne are the natural heirs to the throne.
Throughout the entire show, the crowd are going batshit crazy. A huge mosh pit has formed, and from the balcony, it looks like a battle has commenced. You can see the steam rising up through the air.
Airbourne are unquestionably one of the best live bands in the world right now. Their global appeal is obvious for the world to see. In Joel O’Keeffe they have an unstoppable force of nature. A man who has set a new standard in dynamic stage performance. I predict they will only get bigger, brighter, and better over the coming years.
Airbourne are a band that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.
© Myke Gray Photography
Review: Myke Gray
Photos: Myke Gray
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