On Wednesday 17th December, Clutch returned to the O2 Academy in Birmingham with the kind of confidence reserved for bands who know exactly who they are and why they matter. Backed by the fuzz-drenched weight of 1000 Mods and the irreverent sludge swagger of Bokassa. On paper, it was a strong bill; in practice, it delivered three distinct personalities united by weight, groove, and an obvious love of the craft.

Bokassa opened proceedings with the kind of set that immediately wins a room over. Launching into material like ‘Careless (In the Age of Altruism)’ and ‘Straight Edgelord’, they paired thick, sludgy riffs with a sense of humour that never felt forced. Their vocalist’s surprisingly convincing southern American drawl (incongruous and oddly perfect) became a running joke, especially as he cracked open a Tesco-bought can of gin and tonic mid-set, grinning like he knew exactly how surreal the moment was. Between songs, the chatter was constant and genuinely funny, never veering into self-indulgence. Tracks such as ‘Mouthbreathers Inc.’ and ‘Vultures’ were driven by a groove-heavy backbone with riffs that landed hard and stuck. Bokassa set the tone for a night that would balance heaviness with personality.

1000mods took a very different approach, stripping things back to the essentials. With minimal banter and maximum intent, the Greek trio let the riffs speak for themselves. From the outset, the room was swallowed whole by their wall-to-wall fuzz, with songs like ‘So Many Days’ and ‘Electric Carve’ hitting with hypnotic force.

There’s something almost meditative about how 1000mods play long, rolling grooves that lock in and refuse to let go. ‘Vidage’ and ‘Low’ drew some of the biggest reactions of their set, the crowd fully tuned into the band’s thick, unrelenting sound. It was heavy rock delivered with discipline and restraint, and the audience loved them for it.

When Clutch finally emerged, the reaction was instant and thunderous. From the first notes, it was clear this was their room. Neil Fallon stalked the stage with a swagger that absolutely tips into ego but crucially, never arrogance. It’s the confidence of someone who knows the weight of their catalogue and isn’t afraid to stand squarely in it.

Tracks like ‘The Mob Goes Wild’ and ‘X-Ray Visions’ were met with roaring approval, Fallon delivering every line with theatrical precision and unmistakable authority. Deeper cuts and staples alike, including ‘Nosferatu Madre’ and ‘Spacegrass’ showcased a band that remains as tight and engaged as ever, blending groove, muscle, and storytelling with ease. The chemistry between band and crowd was palpable, a shared understanding built over decades rather than demanded in the moment.

Taken as a whole, this was a thoughtfully balanced and deeply satisfying bill. Bokassa brought humour and heft, 1000mods delivered focused, immersive heaviness, and Clutch closed the night with authority, charisma, and absolute conviction. A reminder that heavy music doesn’t need reinvention to feel vital, it just needs bands who believe in what they’re doing and play it like it still means everything.

Setlist:

Subtle Hustle

The Mob Goes Wild

Earth Rocker

X-Ray Visions

Firebirds!

Slaughter Beach

Crucial Velocity

Cypress Grove

Spacegrass

Nosferatu Madre

Walking in the Great Shining Path of Monster Trucks

Mice and Gods

The Regulator

The Streets are His

The Face

Encore:

Electric Worry

Burning Beard

Images & words: Natalie Chew