Review
Review
KoЯn at Gunnersbury Park, 11/08/2024
The gods of nu-metal fire up their biggest ever UK show – cementing their legacy in style
With the weather peaking at 29 degrees, metal fans of all ages were out in the scorching heat, all dressed in black, patiently and respectfully awaiting KoЯn – back in the UK for the first time in seven years to rock a sold-out Gunnersbury Park for their biggest UK show ever.
Opening act Loathe took to the stage with a stirring set, followed by a heavy and high-energy performance from Wargasm. Denzel Curry was out with an illness but Spiritbox were in fine form. But with the sun dipping and the blue skies tinted orange, KoЯn made their long-awaited appearance to a roar of cheers and applause from 40,000 people.
Frontman JD, dressed in his green sequined Adidas tracksuit joined the band as they opened with the electrifying ‘Rotting In Vain’, immediately setting the tone. JD’s microphone was shaped like a naked woman and the front of a cage loomed over the band as Munky, Head, Ray Luzier, and Ra Diaz – a thundering bassist on tour with the band – demonstrated what true synergy looks like on stage. The precision was mesmerising, from the heavy drum solos and the strident guitars to the reverberating bass. Sounding as fresh as they did in the 90s, it’s hard to believe that KoЯn was formed a little over 30 years ago.
Although the heat of the day lingered in the air, the band’s energy was palpable, with classics ‘Got the Life’, ‘Coming Undone’, and ‘Falling Away From Me’ keeping the audience in focused reverence whenever they weren’t starting circle pits and crowd surfing. As KoЯn moved through their discography – including fan favourites such as ‘A.D.I.D.A.S.’, ‘Blind’, and ‘Y’all Want A Single’ – they proved just how much three decades can sharpen your edge.
As the night drew to a close, the band stopped playing and the stage lights turned off. Seconds later, JD launched into a bagpipe encore and began playing the intro to ‘Shoots And Ladders’, which also featured a brief cover of Metallica’s ‘One’ (second cover of the night after they sung the chorus of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’).
The finale, of course, was ‘Freak On A Leash’ – a bona fide anthem and a staple of their live shows for decades – ending things on an irreproducible crowd high as soon as first note was played.
In a world where artists frequently come and go, KoЯn’s enduring impact has never felt stronger. A masterclass in rock performance, this was a night the freaks will talk about for years to come.
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Photo credit: Gina Wetzler/Redferns
