“If this evening proved one thing, Spiritbox is a band defined by fearlessness. This performance wasn’t just about playing music; it was about pushing boundaries.”
Words by Ali Grice, photos by Alex Bemis | Feb 13, 2025
There must be something in the water surrounding Vancouver Island. Formed in 2016, Canadian metal band Spiritbox has achieved success beyond most musicians’ wildest dreams. With two consecutive Grammy nominations, a triumphant opening slot on Bring Me The Horizon’s South American tour, an upcoming stint supporting Linkin Park, and a new album set to release in just a few weeks, Spiritbox has firmly established themselves not only in the heavy music scene but also in the broader music world. They’ve seized opportunities that are rare for such an unconventional act.
While most bands inch toward arena status through years of gradual progress, Spiritbox arrived in London to kick off their European stadium tour, a milestone earned through nearly a decade of relentless touring across the UK and US. Thousands of miles from their Canadian home, they chose the historic Alexandra Palace as the venue for their first big-stage headlining show in the UK.
The night began with handpicked openers: Stray From The Path delivered their fierce political punk, followed by Periphery’s technical metal reverberating through the North London venue. As anticipation built, the brief lull before Spiritbox’s entrance served as a moment of quiet reflection. Here stood a band formed less than a decade ago, now headlining over two veteran acts with legacies spanning more than 20 years. What’s their secret? We were about to find out.
As the crowd poured back into the venue, it became clear that selling out two consecutive shows at the Roundhouse last year wasn’t enough to satisfy Spiritbox’s ambitions in the UK. Over 10,000 fans gathered, buzzing with anticipation, ready to be spellbound by Spiritbox’s dark, spellbinding presence.
Hidden behind a bone-white curtain, the band’s silhouettes danced before the fabric dropped, revealing vocalist Courtney LaPlante and her bandmates. Draped in gleaming chains over a black dress, LaPlante drew all eyes towards her before the venue exploded in a wall of feedback.
With their second studio album, ‘Tsunami Sea’, just weeks away from release, Spiritbox took a bold risk by opening with the unreleased track ‘Fata Morgana.’ This crushingly heavy song launched LaPlante into fierce, guttural screams while guitarist Mike Stringer and drummer Zev Rose locked into a syncopated, breakdown groove, promising great things to come.
As the first show on their European tour, fans expected some surprises, and kicking off with an unreleased album opener undoubtedly delivered. LaPlante, known as a ‘yapper’ for her lively stage banter, stayed focused during the opening tracks, dedicating her energy to hitting every note and scream with precision. But after fan-favorite ‘Circle With Me,’ she momentarily paused to address with the crowd.
“Honestly, we didn’t think we could sell this show out,” LaPlante admitted, her mystical stage persona giving way to genuine vulnerability. “We’ve found our people,” she continued, moments before inviting a couple on stage for an unexpected proposal—a heartwarming tradition at recent Spiritbox shows that delighted the audience and, of course, the couple. As the cheers from the proposal faded, LaPlante addressed all “10,500” fans packed into Alexandra Palace, visibly moved by the sheer scale of the moment.
Seemingly out of nowhere 2022’s ‘Sew Me Up’ made an unexpected live debut, three years since it’s release, the fans roaring in excitement as LaPlante leaned into the yearning chorus. More melodic moments pepper themselves throughout the setlist, apparent in ‘The Void’, ‘Jaded’ and ‘Rule of Nines’ which in turn produce incredible singalong moments from crowd, LaPlante’s melancholic lyricism proving ever-relatable to the masses.
One standout moment was the performance of the recently released ‘Soft Spine,’ whose slow-tempo breakdown delivered one of the heaviest hits of the night. This was followed by the haunting ‘No Loss, No Love,’ a dark and powerful track released just a week before the show.
Spiritbox then chose to close out their monumental set with a yin-yang moment of explosive megahit ‘Holy Roller’ followed by an acoustic rendition of ‘Constance,’ leaving the audience in a bittersweet haze as confetti rained down on the 10,500-strong crowd. It was a moment of mixed emotions—sadness that the night was over, but also joy and pride in how far Spiritbox has come.
If this evening proved one thing, Spiritbox is a band defined by fearlessness. This performance wasn’t just about playing music; it was about pushing boundaries. Opening with an unreleased track, debuting new visuals that transformed the concert into a theatrical experience, and relying solely on their own talents rather than featuring guest vocalists for added star power, they proved they are in full command of the experience
Spiritbox are recipients of their own venerable making, having paved the path for global success, the concluding sentiment remains – Spiritbox are exactly where they belong.
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