LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: KITTIE AT THE DOME, LONDON 15/06/25 (+ HOLY WARS)
Full photo gallery for Kittie here
It’s been more than a decade since Canadian bashers Kittie last headlined a stage on UK soil - and tonight at The Dome in Tufnell Park, the wait ended.
The atmosphere inside the venue was electric with anticipation, a heady mix of nostalgia and adrenaline coursing through the crowd. For many, this is more than just a gig - it’s a long-overdue homecoming of sorts. Formed in the late ‘90s and often cited as trailblazers in the world of nu-metal, metal and heavy music, Kittie’s fusion of groove-laden riffs, raw aggression, and unapologetic energy carved them a unique place in metal history. Now, after years away from the spotlight, they’ve returned, tighter, heavier, and more fearless than ever.
Before the headliners took the stage, the Los Angeles-based rock quartet Holy Wars was met with a wave of deafening applause as they kicked off the show. Charismatic frontwoman Kat Leon took the lead, urging the crowd to join in with '‘moshing, surfing, whatever you want'‘. A call that was eagerly answered - it wasn’t long before a lively mosh pit formed, with a striking number of women throwing themselves into the chaos with fearless energy, which was refreshing to see.
Indeed, there was a sense of female power in the air tonight, as Leon thanked Kittie for ‘‘paving the way to what we’re doing now’’, before introducing their new song ‘I Feel Everything’, released last month. The outfit also treated the crowd to a brand new, unreleased song titled ‘Ceremony’ which was well received.
Opening up with the high energy ‘Fire’, with crushing riffs and punchy dreaming, Kittie arrived on stage moments later with a relentless opener that hit hard and set the tone for the rest of the evening. ‘I’ve Failed You’’ and Cut Throat’ followed with more headbanging heaviness. The energy in the room was already at its peak, the band igniting a deafening response from the crowd and sparking an immediate mosh pit from the very beginning - and we were only getting started.
Fans spanning generations filled the room - diehards who’ve followed since 2000’s Spit, and a newer wave drawn by the band’s recent resurgence and enduring influence. “A couple of you weren’t even born the last time we were here, it was 15 years ago I believe” joked Lander, acknowledging the well diverse crowd. There’s a collective sense that what’s unfolding isn’t just a show, but a moment.
The dynamic and diverse setlist spanned their entire career, blending fan-favourite tracks (‘Oracle’, Spit’, ‘Look So Pretty’) with fresher, new material (‘Eyes Wide Open’, ‘We Are Shadows’, ‘Vultures’, ‘One Foot In The Grave’ from their 2024 album Fire). The seamless mix of old and new showcased the band’s evolution while honouring the raw intensity that first put them on the map.
The switch from clean vocals to guttural growls and clean vocals from vocalist Morgan Lander was effortless and as equally impressive. Drummer (and sister) Mercedes Lander drove the set with thunderous precision, guitarist Tara McLeod shredded with technical finesse and fiery stage presence, effortlessly weaving melody and aggression. Meanwhile, bassist Ivy Jenkins brought a heavy groove that added serious weight to the band’s sound, proving the rhythm section was just as fierce as the front.
After getting the crowd to sing a mandatory birthday song to Jenkins and performing ‘Do You Think I’m A Whore’, the band escaped in the shadows before coming back for the encore. “I promise we’ll be back ‘cause it’s been fucking amazing” said Lander before introducing the fan favourite ‘Charlotte’, setting the crowd on fire.
‘Brackish’, another beloved track was packed with high energy and clearly was a highlight of the night, the crowd screaming along every word. “Perfection, London” ended Lander, before quipping “I promise it won’t be 15 years before we’re back”.
The performance concluded with ‘We Are The Lamb’, a display of incredible musicianship from the outfit mixed with searing screams by Lander in classic metal fashion.
Kittie weren’t just back for a show tonight. They were here to remind the UK exactly why they mattered then - and why they still absolutely do now.
Words and photos by Florelle Servageon.
Full setlist below:
Fire
I’ve Failed You
Cut Throat
Oracle
Spit
We Are Shadows
Eyes Wide Open
Look So Pretty
Vultures
What I Always Wanted
Severed
One Foot In The Grave
Do You Think I’m A Whore
Charlotte
Brackish
We Are the Lamb
