THE AMAZONS // NX, NEWCASTLE, UPON TYNE
No Phones, No Filler: The Amazons Light Up NX with Pure Rock Energy
⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)
THE AMAZONS PERFORMING AT NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE’S NX
PHOTOCREDIT: STEVE WHITE
I first caught The Amazons at Glastonbury Festival earlier this year — a set that completely blew me away — and it was that electric performance that brought me to Newcastle’s NX last night. Months later, they proved they’ve lost none of that power.
From the moment front-man Matt Thomson strode on-stage, all wiry energy and wide grin, it was clear the Reading band were out to remind everyone that live rock-and-roll is still very much worth seeing. Joined by guitarist Chris Alderton and bassist Elliot Briggs, and now featuring the immense backing vocals of Ella McRobb, The Amazons tore through a set that balanced swagger and sincerity in equal measure.
Opening with the stomping riff of “Joe Bought a Gun”, one of 9 tracks they would play from their brilliant album “21st Century Fiction” - the band quickly followed into “Ready for Something”, “In My Mind” and the sinewy “My Blood”. Each song carried the kind of weight that only comes from playing live with conviction — Thomson’s voice ragged and resolute, Alderton’s riffs sharp and urgent, and McRobb’s soaring harmonies lifting the choruses upward. Her voice added real depth and emotion tonight, giving the newer material a richness that the crowd clearly felt.
Midway through the set, Thomson stopped, pointed to the crowd and said, “My mum and dad are here tonight.” What followed was a tender rendition of “Georgia”, dedicated to his parents — a beautiful, humanising gesture that cut through the volume and proved just how much heart sits behind the band’s bravado.
Thomson was a live-wire from start to finish. He darted across the stage, jumped onto monitors, held his guitar aloft as if to say “this is for you”. The crowd fed off it entirely. NX may not have been sold out — the upstairs was closed and there was room to wander downstairs — but those who were there made up for it in passion. It was a crowd of young fans, all in, all present. No one was standing around chatting or looking at their phones; everyone was there for the music, which was refreshing to say the least.
The band powered through anthems like “Living a Lie”, “25” and “Night After Night”, each greeted by roars and fists in the air. The combination of massive choruses and tightly-wound riffs reminded everyone why The Amazons deserve more recognition than they get.
Encore was a medley starting and ending with personal favourite “Junk Food Forever” and finally ending the whole set with “Black Magic”.
By the time the final chords rang out, the entire room was singing back at them, sweat on the walls, smiles all around. The Amazons may still be underrated, but nights like this show exactly how vital they are. In a world of half-hearted gigs and quiet crowds, they deliver something rare — pure, unfiltered rock energy that still feels worth showing up for.
REVIEW BY: JOHN HAYHURST
PHOTOS BY: STEVE WHITE
