There was a proper charge in the air at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena long before the headliners even thought about stepping on stage. Three bands with completely different approaches to heavy music, and a crowd that arrived ready to lose themselves in all of it. Witch Fever ignited things, Bush delivered a powerhouse masterclass, and Volbeat closed the night with the kind of big-hearted, riff-driven spectacle only they can.
Manchester’s Witch Fever came out swinging. No easing in, no polite warm-up – just a wall of brooding riffs, relentless rhythm, and a presence that felt like it could crack the arena floor. Their sound blends doom-laden heaviness with punk attitude and a raw emotional bite, and it hits you like a shockwave. Amy’s vocals tore through the air with real purpose, while Alex, Alisha, and Annabelle moved as a tight, defiant unit, channeling something that felt equal parts cathartic and confrontational. They’re a band pushing against every expectation – sonically and socially – and Cardiff responded with the kind of early-evening roar most support acts dream of. A solid, high-voltage opener.
Witch Fever
Bush followed with the confidence of a group who’ve lived several musical lifetimes and come out the other side sharper than ever. Gavin Rossdale has always had that combination of grit and elegance, but live in 2025, he feels absolutely in his element – commanding, emotional, and still capable of turning a heavy rock show into something intimate. They hit the stage hard, blending their modern, heavier sound with nods to the era that shaped many of us in the crowd. Tracks from The Art of Survival and The Kingdom landed with real impact – thick riffs, darker tones, big choruses – but it was the way they threaded in the classics that really set the room alight. Swallowed proved why those late-90s songs still cut through today – nostalgia without feeling stuck in it. One of the night’s biggest moments came when Bush launched into a thunderous, atmospheric cover of The Beatles’ Come Together. It was bold, stylish, and absolutely huge – a reimagined version that matched the weight of their modern setlist – a real highlight. Throughout, Rossdale was a force – sprinting across the stage, leaning into the crowd, belting out vocals with that unmistakable rasp. Bush played like a band with nothing to prove and everything to give. Their set easily had the weight and energy of a headliner, making the whole night feel like two headline acts sharing one stage.
Bush
If Bush brought the emotional grit, Volbeat brought the celebration. The Danish heavyweights arrived to a deafening reception and wasted no time kicking into high gear. Their blend of metal, rock’n’roll swagger, and melodic punch landed perfectly with the Cardiff crowd. The Devil’s Bleeding Crown set the tone immediately – loud, tight, and filled with momentum. The band moved effortlessly between their heavier material and the huge sing-along moments they’re famous for. Michael Poulsen was in fantastic form: charismatic, funny, constantly engaging with the front rows, and clearly delighted to be back in the UK arena circuit. The setlist played out like a fan’s greatest-hits wish list – Lola Montez, A Warrior’s Call, Seal the Deal, Shotgun Blues – each one met with fists in the air and voices flying. After Bush’s Beatles cover earlier in the night, it felt fitting for Volbeat to tackle Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire — and they pulled it off just as impressively. There was a real warmth between the band and the crowd, the kind of connection you can’t fake. Volbeat closed the night with the same energy they started it with: loud, joyful, tight, and absolutely committed to giving the arena everything they had.
Volbeat
Witch Fever were a firestarter – fierce, urgent, and impossible to ignore. Bush delivered a stunning, full-throttle performance with both emotional depth and huge rock energy, proving once again why their legacy continues to resonate – especially with standout moments like their electrifying Come Together cover. Volbeat then took that momentum and turned the evening into an arena-sized celebration of melody, metal, and sheer crowd-pleasing power. A night full of nostalgia, adrenaline, and big musical personalities – exactly what a three-band bill should be.
