Biffy Clyro bless London’s O2 with blazing set packed with Bubbles and bravery

REVIEW: Scottish rock gods Biffy Clyro made a triumphant return to London on their Futique Tour and showed a ton of heart in light of bassist James Johnston’s absence

Biffy Clyro brought a lot of love to London’s O2.

The Scots rockers could move Mountains and seas with their blistering blend of rock, pop, metal and grunge. But their bone-shattering riffs and nuclear choruses come with tons of heart and vulnerability.

And this beautiful Biffy fusion was deployed at London’s O2 – their fifth time headlining the arena. The lights go down and the crowd erupt as the band appear as giant silhouettes, hidden under huge white sheets that cover the entire stage.

They open with A Little Love from Futique, the 10th record from a band that have now been going strong for 30 years. Frontman Simon Neil sings: “With a little love, we can conquer all,” and the line seems more poignant than ever in light of recent events.

Sadly, Biffy bassist James Johnston had to pull out of the band’s 2026 tours due to mental health and addiction issues. He’s started getting professional help and reassured fans that there’s “light at the end of the tunnel”. Wishing him all the best.

James thanked Simon and drummer Ben (his brother) for their “continued love, patience and support”. The love these boys have for each other is very clear and it shines through their songs like this.

The veil is lifted and the band are revealed on stage, with backup from Annemarie McGahon and Ailbhe (AKA Biffy Strings). Next up, Hunting Season – another from the new album – before they fire off two thunderous classics, That Golden Rule and Who’s Got A Match?.

The streamers explode as the band burst into their feral hit Wolves of Winter and Tiny Indoor Fireworks (banger). The band sound great – razor sharp and full of class. James’ absence is definitely felt, and that’s to be expected.

These Wolves are meant to hunt together, and a member of the pack is missing, but it’s a testament to their friendship that the show is going on, and stand-in bassist Naomi Macleod does a stellar job. Simon pays tribute to “brother in arms” James and dedicates Friendshipping to him.

“It’s good to be back,” Simon says. Biblical and Black Chandelier make a big splash before they unleash their mega anthem Mountains upon us – in all its seismic, soul-stirring glory. The song’s electrifying breakdown into the final chorus (“Nothing lasts forever, except you and me”) is killer every time.

Things are stripped back and Simon treats us to a gut-wrenchingly beautiful rendition of Machines, an acoustic ballad about the death of his mother and finding light and hope out of the darkness.

The crowd play their part, singing back: “Take the pieces and build them skywards,” and Simon (I think) wipes a tear from his eyes as he finishes the song. Take a bow, Simon Neil, you beautiful man.

The Captain captures the crowd as always before Biffy go grunge, launching into the impeccably-timed twitching of Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies. We are struck with strobes throughout the set and at one point Simon carries a flashlight and shines it around the room and at members of the crowd.

Bubbles is probably my favourite Biffy track of all time – I don’t think I’ve ever quite recovered from that headline Reading set in 2016. So, naturally, I lose it as soon as I hear that opening guitar lick, as if Simon’s lighting a match. The way the bridge burns into a blazing chorus and all hell breaks loose during that cataclysmic ending. Absolute dynamite.

Many of Horror is last and all the confetti comes out. The emotional power ballad is a fitting end to the night’s proceedings and Simon shows his love to the crowd. A great evening was had. Mon the Biff.

Biffy are a wolf down right now, and while the bark may not be quite as strong as it usually is, they certainly haven’t lost their bite. I’ll be catching them at their huge Finsbury Park show this summer and I cannot wait.

Biffy are touring the UK and will be visiting Europe, Australia, New Zealand and a bunch of festivals.

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