New Found Glory Reignite Pop Punk at O2 Academy Brixton
Pop punk is alive and kicking, and nowhere was that clearer than at the O2 Academy Brixton on Saturday night. A lineup stacked with emotional lyricism, nostalgia and great energy brought together fans of all ages under one roof. What unfolded was not just a concert, but a vivid celebration of a genre that continues to evolve while holding tight to its roots.
The night began on solid ground, with Koyo coming all the way from New York to support New Found Glory. A band full of passion and youthful drive, they kept the nearly 5,000 people engaged throughout the entire set, setting the tone for what was to come. Their melodic hardcore punk sound resonated perfectly with the audience, blending nostalgia and freshness in a way that made the venue buzz with anticipation.
Then Illinois rock band Real Friends took it up a notch straight on, hitting the pedal to the metal and escalating the audience energy into a mosh pit within the first song. Their trademark blend of heartfelt lyrics and powerful riffs drew everyone closer, creating that unmistakable feeling of connection between band and fans. Real Friends brought a truly captivating show lasting about an hour, filled with singalongs, stage banter and plenty of movement from both sides of the barrier. By the end of their set, the energy in the room was at an all-time high, setting the perfect scene for the main act later on.
The anticipation contained within the splendidly decorated O2 Academy Brixton reached its absolute peak when the pop punk legends appeared on stage. New Found Glory not only brought their highly charged and well-known bangers from the early 2000s, but delivered them in such a convincing and compelling manner that their over-one-hour show felt like it passed in a flash. The setlist started strong with all-time favourites including ‘Something I Call Personality’, ‘Hit or Miss’, ‘Head On Collision’ and ‘All Downhill From Here’.
Throughout the gig, what stood out most was the band’s amazing energy and chemistry. Seeing them live felt as if you were watching those fresh-in-the-game punk dudes in their early twenties who just knew how to enter a room, have fun and make a statement loud and clear. The audience reciprocated in exactly the way you’d expect — singing in unison at the top of their lungs and from the bottom of their hearts, completely immersed in the sound and euphorically joining in the mosh pits during most songs.
Being at this event was an astonishing reminder that no matter how much time passes by, a feeling attached to certain music and artists (and especially a certain moment in life) hits just as hard as it did many moons ago. In a sense, it was a time portal allowing everyone to open the door to past memories that have shaped them and are still impactful to this day and age. So, it was a night headlined by synergy between two main acts — New Found Glory and the everlasting nostalgia for those thriving times for the genre in the ninetees. The Florida band indeed proved that pop punk is not just a phase and, above all, is definitely not dead!
