[LIVE REVIEW] ICE NINE KILLS, CREEPER, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA & TX2 - CO-OP LIVE ARENA, MANCHESTER.

With the gig being pretty solid with no external photographers being allowed tonight's media accompaniments will be some what of a "this is my phone picture" addition. I really should invest in some sort of point and shoot for these sort of shows, it's Christmas coming up soon I'll be accepting gifts in the format of a Sony RX100 (newer model preferred). After witnessing the show, hopefully in the future I'll be able to get the honor of photographing but for now, bare with the images.

I'll be honest, it was actually nice to do a show where I am able to just take a moment to eat over-priced hot dogs (£14!! Just commenting this £14!! Don't get me wrong it was a good hot dog but my lord. I've not missed arena venue prices!) and just be able to sit and watch from a more 100% observatory point of view  even though whilst watching as a photographer you know how it is, you sit there itching thinking "my god, that would have made and amazing shot" whilst low-key jealously watching the media team run round snapping away. Media are teams are definitely under-rated and the amount of work and energy it takes has probably never been considered by a lot of people, my hats off to the team tonight as watching them from where I was sat was exhausting and I am really looking forward to the imagery when it goes online. Anyway... back to the show... This is a review of the evening not a memoirs of a seemingly desperate photographer... 

Opening the show TX2 took to the stage, there was a bit of confusion for the fans with the band taking to the stage earlier than noted on the websites and tickets so a bit of the show was unfortunately missed. Now, the main question that I had was "Who are TX2?"... I've heard of them but not given them much time. Hailing from Fort Collins, Colorado TX2 originally started as a solo project by frontman Timothy Evan Thomas which later developed into a full band. The band took social media platforms by storm and gained quick noticeably among the younger community becoming rapidly popular for emo/alt teen content.

As a band these guys definitely have potential but there were just some things for me that didn't stick. I can give huge praise for the interaction they had with their fans however for me personally, I felt that it maybe was a bit too "angsty". The kinda vibe that you'd get when your parents took away the wi-fi when you'd done something naughty or hid your playstation controller for not doing your chores. Is this a bad thing? Not necessarily but I just feel that the attitude displayed on stage sometimes had a lot to be worked on. Musically, their performance was faultless, delivering strong energy on stage with music that was tight and polished. It was a highlight to see headliners Ice Nine Kills join TX2 on stage for their collaborative track ‘Mad.’

I can see this band finding success over time especially considering the rate they are currently excelling, I understand the vibe they’re aiming for, but it didn’t quite resonate with me — but if fairness, I don’t think I’m their intended audience, and that’s perfectly fine.

Up next, Ohio christian metalcore-ers (Is this a word?) The Devil Wears Prada. Since formation in 2005, The Devil Wears Prada gained initial quick traction in the metalcore scene and have continued to go from strength to strength with their music evolving and presence continue to grow even almost 20 years later, with this being a long run for a band that started in the mid‑2000s underground scene. I still remember back in the day having “Dez Moines” on repeat multiple times. The Devil Wears Prada are a band of which I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for.

The crowd came alive with crowd surfers during their set, and at one point it felt like a live‑action game of ‘Lemmings,’ with bodies constantly streaming over the barrier. The intensity was enough to make the security team look concerned. It's always a bit of a funny moment when you see multiple security rushing to the front in anticipation for what is to come with people flying over the barriers. 

Tonight’s performance was well‑executed, though compared to their broader discography it leaned toward a less heavier version of their usual sets having seeing the band multiple times I felt that it was of a more 'lighter tone'. Perhaps this was influenced by the lineup, but it didn’t feel like the kind of show I’ve typically experienced from The Devil Wears Prada. This isn’t meant as a criticism — it was refreshing to see a different side of the band and showcases what they are capable of. 

Next on tonight's line up, Creeper. Straight off the bat I'm going to say I'm not a massive Creeper fan at all they are a band that have never really resonated with myself and have often found them hard to listen too... with this being said tonight has changed my opinion on them. I can now see what the hype is with this band and what they bring to the stage. Creeper, hailing from Southampton, England (although from accents you'd not think this and was joked about on stage by the band about this)  focus on blending horror punk, gothic aesthetics and dark theatrics in to their performances. Formed originally in 2014 have gone from your local band to performing in arenas and clearly having a strong following. I would like to note that Hannah Greenwood’s voice completely blew me away during their set - What a voice! 

Will I be rushing to become Creepers number 1 fan? No I'd be lying if I said I was... but honestly I really want to set aside some time and look into the band further, they've ignited a curiosity within me that I really want to explore.  Not a band I’d normally gravitate toward and it’s rare for one outside my usual taste to grab my attention — but tonight they certainly did.

Finally, concluding the evening and most anticipated band of the evening Ice Nine Kills. 

I’ve always loved horror and metal — put them together and you’ve got Ice Nine Kills. However... My guilty thought? It’s hard not to imagine this is what Panic! at the Disco in an alternate universe would sound like — one where they leaned into heavier music and spun songs from the horror films lifted from their mum’s collection. Featuring songs throughout their set such as "The American Nightmare", "IT Is the End", "Welcome to Horrorwood" and "The Shower Scene" there was something for all Ice Nine kills fans tonight along with theatrical performances highlighting relevance to "Nightmare On Elm Street", "Psycho", "IT", "Evil Dead" and lots more as well as the current signature appearance from Art the Clown during the encore. 

Something I hadn’t noticed before is how often this band leans into ska influences. With support on stage from Matt Appleton (Known for Goldfinger and Reel Big Fish) and John Christianson (Reel Big Fish) throughout their set and in particular during their collaborative hit of "Walking On Sunshine" these parts almost felt like a small break from the horror and heavier parts of the show.

One drawback of the show was that the flow between performances occasionally felt uneven. While this is understandable with costume changes, the video transitions intended to bridge each set were obscured by a large inflatable on stage, leaving the visuals difficult to see and sometimes losing the narrative of the performance. At first, I assumed the obstruction was simply due to where I was seated. However, after speaking with several other attendees, it became clear this was likely a production oversight that hadn’t been accounted for.

Although the band often embraces horror and gore motifs, please be aware that the final scene could affect audiences negatively given its sensitive nature and may affect some audience members. SPOILER ALERT! In the closing scene/final song, the band stages a moment featuring Art the Clown with a disturbing horror act involving a new born baby (Don't worry it's no remake of a Serbian Film, It doesn't quiet hit them levels of WTF moments). While I recognize the creativity and applaud the bold, edgy execution, I feel it’s important to note that for some fans — particularly those sensitive to themes around childbirth — this could be overwhelming or distressing. Now the flip side you could say that with a band that is centralized around horror icons especially those of Art the clown this may have been expected. Although the show permits entry for 14‑year‑olds accompanied by an adult, I felt at times this was still edging close to pushing boundaries. Without delving too deeply, I found aspects of this final act slightly unsettling, though I can appreciate the vision and how well it aligns with the character of Art the Clown overall.

From start to finish, the night was a memorable one I'll give it that. 

Catching up with some of the audience at the end of the night there were mixed reviews on how they felt the night had gone with one gentleman quoting "It was okay but felt like Ice Nine Kills were  America's equivalent to a bad Butlin's experience in the UK (If you know, you know)" whilst others praised the creativity stating "Ice Nine Kills were absolutely amazing and I loved how they bring horror in to their performances, it was sick".

My view... I really enjoyed it — easily one of the most unique gigs I’ve caught this year, and with 2025 wrapping up, it was a strong way to close things out. The lineup was a bold and well‑considered choice, blending acts from different yet complementary genres, each adding their own unique touch. The theatricality remained consistent throughout the night, with each band adding its own distinctive flair to the stage.

Was it a "Work of Art"? Yeah I'd say so, it had a bold and horror related aesthetic from headliners and supports did really well with their performances. My main "concern" is how Ice Nine Kills will build on this performance. Given their reputation for horror‑inspired and gore‑driven shows, what direction can they take next to elevate their artistry. I can’t wait to see what Ice Nine Kills do next — and all in all, I’d definitely catch them again next time they're in the UK. 

Remaining tour dates for the "A Work Of Art Tour 2025" can be found at the following dates and venues: 

Dec 09 - UK - Glasgow, OVO Hydro

Dec 10 - UK - Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena

Dec 12 - UK - London, OVO Arena Wembley

Tickets for upcoming shows can be purchased > HERE <.