LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: ARCHERS AT DOWNSTAIRS AT THE DOME, LONDON 16/04/26 (+ TROPIC GOLD)
Tufnell Park’s Downstairs at The Dome was packed and loud as Wisconsin-bred Archers touched down in London. With great support from Tropic Gold, it was a night of heavy music, huge choruses, and a lot of sweat.
South East England’s own Tropic Gold took to the stage with a mission to wake up the early arrivals. Following their intro and the haunting ‘THE ANGELS ARE GONE’, frontman Jacob Parris didn't mince words: "Let’s keep the fucking energy up." and the crowd happily obliged. By the second track, ‘Dead To All My Friends’, everyone was jumping and joining in.
Before launching into ‘A PLACE CALLED EUPHORIA’, the band demanded every single person get on their feet, resulting in the night's first circle pit. Parris commanded the room with ease, also taking a moment to thank the "quite a lot" of fans who showed up early, asking for a show of hands from returning fans and offering a "big thanks" to Archers for the slot.
The highlight came with ‘Witch House’, as the band announced they were "bringing it back" to heavy territory, sparking a sea of synchronized headbanging. By the time they closed out with ‘HOLY HORROR’, the room was a mess of sweat and applause, leaving no doubt that Tropic Gold is a force to be reckoned with.
When Archers stepped into the spotlight, the room erupted instantly. Opening with ‘Made for Love’, the London crowd immediately proved their worth, singing along so loudly that frontman Nathanael Pulley’s immaculate vocals were nearly drowned out.
"Hey London, you guys got some energy out there? Fucking prove it, let me see you move!" said Pulley. The vocalist’s interaction with the fans was constant and charismatic. During the second song, ‘Drag Me Out’, he was already hunting for more energy in the form of a mosh pit - “Where’s my fucking mosh pit at?”, which appeared instantly.
The setlist was a perfect journey through the band's evolution, featuring tracks from the EPs All That I Have Left (2024), Temporary High (2025) and a nod to their massive streaming hits like ‘Perfect Strangers’. Fans were also treated to live debuts of their latest singles ‘The Dirt’ and ‘Say So’, released just days prior. Despite their freshness, the crowd responded as if they were already classics, with massive singalongs.
The vocal performance from Pulley was stellar, supported by bassist Drew Hansen, whose backing vocals added a layer to the chaos. Drummer Grayson Mesarosh and guitarist Ben Koehler also displayed exceptional musicianship, providing harmony that held the performance beautifully together.
During a little breather, Pulley pointed out a specific fan in the front row, declaring, "You’re my favourite person," before thanking the room for coming out on a weeknight.
The energy peaked during ‘Making Eyes’ with a frantic circle pit, followed by a punishing Wall of Death as ‘Never Enough’ drew to a close.
As the set neared its end, the band turned reflective. Having been in the game for ten years, Pulley grew sentimental and told the crowd that after 10 years of being a band, the fans still make them feel like rock stars: "The beautiful things are beautiful because of the moments we get to experience... this is ours right here, no one can take it from us." The band’s success clearly hasn't dulled their humble roots or their obvious appreciation for the crowd.
After thanking the staff, crew, and "every single one of you," the band introduced the final track, ‘Blanket Fort,’ a nod to their early years. With a debut Fearless Records album on the horizon, this night at The Dome felt like the start of their biggest chapter yet.
Photos by Imogen Bird
Words by Florelle Servageon
