By Bastion King.
Going into Rock City relatively blind, having only heard a handful of songs from Avatar beforehand, I wasn’t entirely sure what the night would hold. That uncertainty only made the arrival of opening band Witch Club Satan all the more surreal, as they walked on stage burning incense, wearing what can only be described as knitted croissants on their heads, and little else beyond carefully placed nipple covers.
It was immediately clear this wasn’t going to be a conventional evening.
Opening with ‘Witch Craft Techno’, the trio created an atmosphere that felt less like a gig and more like a ritual in progress. Their performance leaned fully into that identity, blending droning instrumentals with provocative imagery. Tracks including ‘Fresh Blood, Fresh Pussy’, ‘Salvation’, and ‘Mother Sea’ carried strong political messaging, with the latter punctuated by a defiant gesture towards both Netanyahu and Epstein that drew loud approval from sections of the crowd.
A later costume change, if it could even be called that, pushed things further, as the band returned almost entirely naked, relying on little more than stage positioning and lighting to preserve modesty. It was a bold and unapologetic statement, reinforcing their identity as a band unafraid to confront social and political themes head on. Closing with ‘Solace Sisters’, Witch Club Satan left behind a mixture of confusion, intrigue, and admiration, and set a bizarre but unforgettable tone for the night.
If Witch Club Satan felt like an unholy ritual, Alien Weaponry arrived as the war party sent to end it. Opening with a traditional Māori haka, the New Zealand trio immediately seized control of the room. The chant echoed throughout Rock City, drawing the audience in before they launched into ‘Rū Ana Te Whenua’, at which point the crowd’s energy surged forward.
What makes Alien Weaponry stand apart is not just their intensity, but how seamlessly they weave their Māori heritage into their music. Their use of Te Reo Māori, combined with themes of history, identity, and cultural pride, gives their songs a depth and authenticity that elevates them far beyond many of their contemporaries. This translated powerfully in a live setting, where each song felt purposeful as well as ferocious.
By the midpoint of their set, the crowd was fully committed, with pits opening and heads banging throughout. Their commanding presence and clear connection with the audience made one thing obvious; Alien Weaponry are clearly no longer simply an impressive support act. They are a band ready to headline venues the size of Rock City in their own right.
By the time Avatar took to the stage, anticipation had reached its peak. As thunder rolled through the speakers and lights flashed overhead, vocalist Johannes emerged slowly in a hooded cloak, swinging a lantern as smoke filled the stage. The theatrical opening flowed straight into ‘Captain Goat’, immediately igniting the crowd.
From that point on, Avatar were relentless. Crowd surfers poured over the barrier, pits opened across the floor, and the band fed off every ounce of energy in the room. Between songs, Johannes effortlessly commanded attention, at one point dividing the crowd into competing sides to see who could cheer louder before launching into ‘In The Airwaves’, ‘Bloody Angel’, and ‘Death N Glitz’.
The theatrical elements only escalated as the night went on. Crew members somehow manoeuvred a full sized piano into the pit and onto the stage, allowing Johannes to deliver a haunting performance before it was swiftly removed and replaced with an ornate throne for guitarist Jonas. Each addition reinforced that Avatar are not just a band, but a full scale production. There were lighter moments too. While reminiscing about playing the venue in their early days, Johannes mistakenly referred to Nottingham as Birmingham, prompting a wave of boos before laughter took over. Whether intentional or not, it only added to the sense of connection between band and audience.
When the encore arrived, chants of “Avatar” and “One More Song” echoed throughout the venue. The band responded with ‘Don’t Go In The Forest’, before closing with ‘Smells Like A Freakshow’ and ‘Hail The Apocalypse’, bringing the night to a triumphant finish
Avatar delivered a performance that was theatrical, intense, and completely absorbing from beginning to end. Supported by the cultural power of Alien Weaponry and the confrontational spectacle of Witch Club Satan, this was a night that showcased three very different visions of what live music can be.
Some gigs entertain. Others stay with you. This was firmly the latter.
If you’d like to find out more about any of the bands playing tonight, just tap the links below:
Photography by In My Lens on behalf of Get Heavy UK. Images are not to be redistributed, reproduced, or used elsewhere without prior permission.
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