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Volbeat

Nov 10, 2025 By Emma Berry-Dinnage Photography by Emma Berry-Dinnage Web Exclusive

Wednesday evening, an evening of bonfires and sparklers was well underway across the East Midlands. But in the heart of the city, metalheads, rockers, “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” gathered at the arena for the triumphant return of Denmark’s finest purveyors of rockabilly metal: Volbeat.

Witch Fever kicked off the evening with their blend of riot grrrl punk and a slice of doom, before 90s grunge legends Bush took to the stage as second support. With upcoming confirmed festival slots for 2026, it is clear that Bush still bring their “A game” and a slice of nostalgia for those of us whose morning college commute often started with a spin of their Razorblade Suitcase or Sixteen Stone CDs (guilty)! Singer Gavin Rossdale brings an energy to the stage with his familiar gravelly tones, lent to favourites such as “Everything Zen” and “Machines”, alongside a special ‘camera torch’ moment for an updated arrangement of “Swallowed”. A great set spanning a decades-long career that brought audience connection and I suspect a new generation of Bush fans to the table.

Volbeat themselves, commanded the stage from the moment the curtain fell; once again proving themselves to be heavyweights in the genre in both their incredible live performance and charming wit and banter with the audience. Singer Michael Poulsen’s unique, unflinching vocals are still among the best out there as he sailed through a set list of the band’s biggest hits including “Shotgun Blues”, “Lola Montez” and the outstanding “Seal The Deal”. Poulsen made no secret of his rockabilly inspiration behind “Sad Man Tongue” as he thanked the Man in Black himself for the ‘stolen’ song!

It has been a long three years since Volbeat last blessed Nottingham with their unique blend of heavy and soulful tunes, but it was well worth the wait for such an electrifying mix of their GOAT hits and the onstage signature camaraderie that nods to music of decades gone by. “Still Counting” was given a family-friendly adaptation as Poulsen invited children from the audience to join him on stage and sing, hoping to inspire the next generation of metalheads. We can safely say the 30-odd children on stage were inspired, as were we. Here’s to the next round of our Danish “Guitar Gangsters” – and hopefully not another 3 year wait.