Pyro, hydraulics and pure adrenaline collide as Skillet turn O2 Academy Brixton into the loudest, most theatrical room in London. No tube strike was stopping this one.

Words & photos by Niamh Louise (@naimhlouphotos) | April 29, 2026

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Skillet returned to London with explosive force on April 21st as they began their UK run of their European tour, transforming O2 Academy Brixton into a full-throttle arena of pyro, riffs, and pure adrenaline.

From the moment the lights dropped, the atmosphere was electric. The Tennessee based band known for their high energy performances, didn’t disappoint. Delivering a set packed with thunderous drums, searing guitar lines, and flair. Their shows are typically intense, with pyrotechnics and immersive visuals, and Brixton felt tailor made for it, its iconic, intimate space amplifying every beat. The room was packed from front to back full of fans eagerly awaiting to see them, no tube strike was stopping anyone from enjoying every second of the night. 

Frontman John Cooper commanded the stage with charisma, effortlessly switching between raw vocal power and heartfelt crowd interactions. Drummer Jen Ledger was on a huge riser performing all the way to the back and the top of the venue. The riser also had huge hydraulic platforms either side that travelled up and down when Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar) and Seth Morrison (lead guitar) joined her on the riser which wowed the adoring crowd.

The stage was also packed with pyro. The front edge lined with CO2 canons that erupted at key moments, but the ultimate pyro moment was when John was armed with those same canons on both his arms at the beginning of ‘Awake and Alive’ covering the front of the crowd in it as well as us photographing in the pit. Even when working we felt included in the crowd as John interacted with those of us he caught singing along as we photographed. 

The audience responded in kind singing every word, jumping in unison, and turning the venue into a sea of movement. It’s the kind of connection that defines a Skillet gig: passionate, loud, and completely unfiltered. Emotional moments were shared with John sharing personal stories with the audience and really creating that connection with fans young and old. The Christian Rock band having been around since 1996 has continued to build an audience as there was a really large age range that made up the crowd. 

The setlist struck a strong balance between fan favourites and newer material, keeping both longtime listeners and newer fans fully engaged. Tracks like ‘Monster’ and ‘Hero’ hit especially hard live as Jen came down from the riser for ‘Hero’ and joined John on vocals. With this and the crowd’s energy it elevated them into something even bigger than studio versions. 

Support acts, including Storm Orchestra, set the tone early with a tight, high-energy performance that complemented Skillet’s style well, building anticipation for the main event.

As for the venue itself, Brixton’s historic charm and renowned acoustics added to the experience, that close quarters energy only heightened the night’s impact. It was almost as if they had brought a production scale for a much bigger venue into the intimate setting and it really was impressive. It created the perfect balance of connection and wow factor. 

Overall, Skillet’s Brixton show was everything fans could hope for. It was loud, theatrical, and emotionally charged. It wasn’t just a concert it was a full on rock spectacle that left the crowd buzzing long after the final note as they ended with ‘The Resistance’.  In the words of ‘Feel Invincible’ it truly was ‘like a roar of victory in a stadium’ only a roar of victory in Brixton Academy.