The Gigraphy Review - Electric Callboy, O2 Academy Leeds, 23/10/2023

Bringing their unmistakable brand of techno metal to the stage of O2 Academy Leeds, modern icons Electric Callboy, supported by Monuments and As Everything Unfolds, put on an incredible show in the heart of Yorkshire. Capturing all the action as well as giving us his thoughts on the event, here's what Dylan had to say!

Electric Callboy at the O2 Academy, Leeds.

Support from As Everything Unfolds and Monuments

What happens when you mix electronica, metalcore and a non-stop party atmosphere? The answer is that you find yourself at an Electric Callboy show. The band are no stranger to touring the UK with them already playing here multiple times over recent years. With their latest album ‘Tekkno’ being a smash hit with the fanbase, the band returns for an action packed tour accompanied with rising British standouts Monuments and As Everything Unfolds.

I’ve been fortunate to catch Monuments perform already this year at RADAR Festival just a few months ago, and that small set alone told me everything I needed to know.. the band radiates energy and come armed with a top tier arsenal of tracks. Fresh from a US tour, they took to the stage to get the crowd warmed up and they did absolutely that. Performing their most notable tracks like ‘I, The Creator’ and ‘Leviathan’ was sure to grab the band a wide selection of new fans, and the energy that frontman Andy Cizek brought was contagious.

Next up was As Everything Unfolds. They’re a band that are well-known in the UK touring scene and have made themselves a standout band due to not only their incredible discography, but their brilliant performances. It was my first time catching them on a bigger stage and I was interested as to how the band would fare, but there’s one thing for sure, they belong on the big stages. With their latest album ‘Ultraviolet’ still new and in the touring cycle, I was excited to hear the tracks that I had yet to hear live. With a setlist so good that I struggled to focus on taking photographs, the crowd and most definitely myself, were captivated. The setlist saw ‘Ultraviolet’, ‘Flip Side’ and 'Twilight’ from the latest album acquire a spot, whilst closing with their hit track ‘On The Inside’. Hopefully it’s not too long before I catch them performing again.

It was now time for the main event. Fans dressed in fluffy fake wigs and costumes were all ready for the party that was set to take over the O2 Academy. As the confetti cannons got loaded up by the techs, and the time ticked closer to 9.20pm, the excitement got louder as the crowd started to kick off chants of “Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire!”.

An opening video on the display showing the character from their track ‘Tekkno Train’ calls to test the crowd's excitement. “Please make sure your best dance moves are available at all times. We are currently testing the excitement levels of the crowd so please put your hands up and now clap”. As the lights dim and the crowd erupts into screams, the German natives walk onto the stage. As soon as the first note of opening track ‘Tekkno Train’ is played, the playful lighting and confetti cannons explode, covering the stage.

The energy from the band was replicated by the crowd almost instantly. Everyone at the barrier singing along to every word and those further back crowd surfing to the front. Running through the opening portion saw ‘MC Thunder II’ and ‘Spaceman’ before the band played a cover of Cascada’s ‘Everytime We Touch’, another German artist that is loved by the UK.

With it being a tour in celebration of their new album, they of course played the majority of ‘Tekkno’. Tracks such as ‘Hurrikan’, ‘Parasite’ and ‘Arrow of Love’ being involved in the main portion, along with ‘Fuckboi’ in which Electric Callboy were joined by As Everything Unfolds’ Charlie Rolfe. However it wouldn’t be a tour without the induction of everyone's favorite throwback anthems, with the infamous ‘Hypa Hypa’, ‘Hate/Love’ and ‘MC Thunder’ gaining solid spots amongst a brilliantly put together setlist. Interestingly, amongst the main set there was also a drum solo to the iconic ‘Sandstorm’ by Darude holding some EC flair.

The encore was split into two sections. Kicking off with the encore was ‘Pump It’ which saw non-stop mosh pits and crowd surfers before leading into ‘Mindreader’. Ending the show was ‘We Got the Moves’ which is without a doubt the most beloved song from the latest album, and most definitely brought the moves from the crowd.

In celebration of their new album, Electric Callboy brought the party of the decade to the Leeds O2 Academy, and if you weren’t there then.. You missed out. I recommend everyone go and listen to not only EC’s album ‘Tekkno’, but to also delve into the incredible Monuments and As Everything Unfolds.