Skillet

Artists: Skillet/Storm Orchestra

Venue: O2 Victoria Warehouse (Manchester)

Date: 25th April 2026

"They are rapidly becoming simply one of the biggest bands in the world and on this evidence, it is no more than they deserve."

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Opening the night was Storm Orchestra, a relatively unknown French Alternative Rock trio handed the unenviable task of warming up for one of the most polished live bands in modern rock. It would have been easy for a lesser act to be swallowed by the scale of the occasion, but Storm Orchestra looked anything but intimidated. Frontman Maxime Goudard, sharply dressed in striking white attire, cut an immediate figure as the band strode onstage and launched into a concise but impressive six-song set.

With much of the Saturday night Manchester crowd already in lively spirits, the trio wisely leaned into energy, charisma and audience interaction. Their “loudest side of the auditorium” contest was a simple but effective move that instantly won over those still finding their places. Musically, they offered a punchy blend of modern Alternative Rock with hints of bigger names without ever feeling derivative. ‘Bright Soul’ arrived in a blur of fuzzed-up riffs and swagger, while ‘Drummer’ carried the muscular groove and clipped precision of Royal Blood at their most immediate. Set closer ‘Suspect’, meanwhile, may well have been the standout moment of their short appearance, boasting a huge earworm chorus and a mood recalling Highly Suspect. For a band still introducing themselves to many in the room, the reception was warmly enthusiastic. They left the stage having done far more than simply fill time before the headliners. Certainly, this is a band worth keeping an eye on.

If Skillet’s rise in the UK has not been meteoric, it has at least been built on something sturdier than hype. Their success here has come through persistence, constant touring and the steady accumulation of songs that connect with audiences. For years they felt like a band operating just below wider recognition, but those days now appear to be ending. A sold-out tour in larger venues than they previously commanded is proof that the patient approach has paid off, helped in no small part by the support slot they secured on Black Stone Cherry’s arena run last year, where they clearly converted many newcomers.

Notably, this audience felt different. Where previous tours often drew a slightly older, established fanbase, there was a clear surge of younger fans in attendance this time around—teenagers and twenty-somethings packing the floor and barrier, suggesting the band’s reach is expanding into a new generation. It added an extra layer of energy to the room, a sense that this was not just sustained success, but growth.

What Skillet now brings to the stage is far beyond a straightforward Rock show. This was slick, high-impact arena entertainment transplanted into a warehouse setting. The lighting rig, towering screens, pyrotechnics and dramatic staging gave proceedings the sheen of a Las Vegas production. Yet crucially, it never felt like style over substance or the emperor’s new clothes. Their eighteen-song set, drawn largely from the last seven albums, demonstrated the depth of material they now possess.

Frontman John Cooper seemed to wrestle briefly with his voice during opener ‘Surviving The Game’ from ‘Dominion’ and the ever-reliable ‘Feel Invincible’ from ‘Unleashed’, but any concerns quickly evaporated. From there he powered through the remaining set with trademark force and conviction, proving once again what an effective live frontman he remains. The latest independently released album, ‘Revolution’, was represented by two songs, the defiant ‘Unpopular’ and the fiery ‘Ash In The Wind’, both of which slotted seamlessly into the set and were greeted like established favourites. If Skillet needed to show they can still produce fresh material capable of standing beside their catalogue staples, these performances made the point convincingly.

There were highlights everywhere. ‘Legendary’ arrived with an irresistible punch, ‘Whispers In The Dark’ sounded as urgent as ever, while ‘Comatose’ served as a reminder of just how timeless that record remains nearly twenty years on. ‘Not Gonna Die’, from breakthrough album ‘Rise’, generated one of the loudest singalongs of the evening. ‘Hero’ brought one of the night’s great visual moments as drummer Jen Ledger leapt from behind her kit to join Cooper at the front while a stand-in drummer kept the beat thundering behind them. Then came the encore closer ‘The Resistance’, a fitting anthem to send a euphoric crowd back into the Manchester night.

Among the flashpots, vivid screen graphics, lyric straplines, CO2 cannons strapped to Cooper’s arms and the impressive lift gear that sent band members soaring toward the roof, it was still the songs that shone brightest. That is the mark of a truly successful production: all the spectacle in the world, yet the music remains central.

For years Skillet have been spoken of as the biggest band in the world many people had somehow never heard of. Judging by scenes like this, they may soon need a new description. They are rapidly becoming simply one of the biggest bands in the world and on this evidence, it is no more than they deserve.

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Review: Mike Newdeck

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If you went, what did you think?

• 0%Loud & Proud
• 0%Live & Limp

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Location:

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Disclaimer:

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