LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: THRICE AT THE O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN, LONDON 19/03/26
Depending on which album you know Thrice from, you may have a totally different view of the band from the guy standing next to you in the crowd at Kentish Town Forum. From 2001's 'Identity Crisis' to the barely six month old 'Horizons/West', the sheer number of genres the California quartet have ventured into over their twelve albums is dizzying.
Warming up the crowd was Lysistrata, coming across as a polished version of your little brother's garage band. Bathed in dramatic and simple static lights, the trio let the music speak for itself, frantic math rock on full display. Drummer Ben Amos Cooper took the lead with vocals for a lot of the set, kit front and centre with bassist Max Roy and Guitarist Théo Guéneau flanking him. The set up making for intriguing viewing.
A perfect example of the band's sound is demonstrated on 'See Through', a subtle build to a good old thrash around, with the added bonus of vocals that, if you closed your eyes could be sung by Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, an impressive feat for a French band to so accurately be impersonating a Scottish vocalist.
"Last time we played in London it was at The New Cross Inn, in front of fifteen people, this is crazy, thank you", Cooper gushed. The crowd certainly picked up what Lysistrata was putting down. The band, a lovely mix of genre appropriate as a Thrice support and surprisingly refreshing at the same time.
Thrice opened with 'Blackout' and 'Gnaw', big hitters from the recent album 'Horizons/West'- the second half of two releases. The former of which- 'Horizons/East' was released way back in 2021. These counterparts, while 5 years apart are meant to be two sides of the same coin and indeed they blend more seamlessly than other eras of Thrice's twenty five year career do- which, by the way, is nowhere near a criticism.
From the frenetic, punk days of 'Identity Crisis' to the moody, vibey 'To Be Everywhere Is to Be Nowhere'. Thrice are able to flip between vastly different sounds with a precise intention. Throughout their back catalogue they have dabbled in the ruckus, the soulful and even the electronic on 'Robot Soft Exorcism'.
Taking it back to seminal album 'The Artist in the Ambulance', the title track made sure the whole room was on it's feet for the rest of the set. The soaring 'Hurricane' and heavy metal infused 'Paper Tigers' keeping the pits going.
'This is a new one called Dark Glow', frontman Dustin Kensrue introduced for another track from the new album. Although the set did lean heavily on these new releases, the old favourites definitely still held their place in the running order.
Thanking Lysistrata for providing support before launching into 'Stare at the Sun', Kensrue acknowledged the end of the European leg of the tour by thanking the crew. A month long jaunt round the continent ending with the warmth and appreciation of a keen North London crowd.
From the first few notes of 'Black Honey' roars of approval filled the room. A favourite among the post hiatus music, the intense track took the energy in the room up yet another notch, before newer offering 'Albatross' ha its moment, this new era of Thrice leading with a funkier, more pop leaning vibe, without sacralising any of the authenticity the band have built their reputation on.
'Beyond The Pines' provided a lay-by in proceedings with a heart wrenching, tearjerking, singalong moment in the set. The track beautifully received by the fans.
Rounding off the night with either ends of their back-catalogue, new track 'Vesper light' was followed by the classic jump around song 'Deaddbolt' and not only the night but the Thrice Spring 2026 Europe tour drew to a close. The band can't promise they will be back soon, but when they do return, London better be ready all over again.
Words by Imogen Bird
Photos by Julia Jevzikova