Nottingham’s Rock City has seen its fair share of legendary shows, but You Me At Six made sure this night would go down in history. Marking almost 20 years since their first show in the city, the Surrey rockers pulled off an electrifying, emotionally charged set, proving why they’re still one of the UK’s most beloved live bands. From circle pits and singalongs to heartfelt moments of reflection, the night had it all. But before we get into the chaos, let’s talk about the impressive support acts that got the crowd warmed up.
Daytime TV – A High-Energy Opener
Kicking off the night at 6:15 pm sharp, Daytime TV wasted no time in getting the early crowd involved. Frontman Will Irvine was all about engagement, calling for hands in the air during Lil Vic and hyping up their new EP with the infectious So Sick. The energy peaked with AMF, as the stage bathed in warm orange hues, and the audience clapped along to the beat. The Scottish alt-rockers made it clear they weren’t just here to open, they were here to make a lasting impression. And with a post-show merch stand meet-and-greet, they ensured fans wouldn’t forget them anytime soon.
Mallory Knox – A Nostalgic Yet Fresh Comeback
The much-anticipated return of Mallory Knox brought a wave of nostalgia and undeniable energy. The five-piece filled the stage both physically and sonically, as frontman Mikey Chapman threw the horns in the air after every track.
“We’ve been on the road for four days with our boys, and life is good,” he grinned before launching into Getaway, with the crowd belting out every word. A mid-set speech took us back to the dial-up internet era, where Chapman first stumbled upon You Me At Six. “I loved the sound, I loved the vibe… and now I love the people,” he admitted, before calling for a huge round of applause for the night’s headliners.
The crowd jumped in sync to Lighthouse, arms raised high, proving that the Mallory Knox fandom is still alive and thriving. Their set was a reminder of why they were once one of the UK’s most exciting rock bands, and why they still deserve that title today.
You Me At Six – 20 Years Strong and Still Owning the Stage
As the house lights dimmed and Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger” played through the speakers, the anticipation in the packed-out Rock City hit its peak. The venue’s TV screens flickered, giving the crowd a glimpse of what was to come. Then, in true YMAS fashion, the intro of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” thundered through the venue.
“We’re about to, baby!” frontman Josh Franceschi declared, as the stage exploded into light and mosh pits erupted instantly.
“This is our pleasure being here with you guys,” he continued, before reminding the crowd that You Me At Six first played Rock City back in 2008. “Outside these walls, it says this is the greatest venue in the UK… and I believe in you guys to make tonight special.”
The crowd roared in agreement, but Franceschi wanted more. “Raise some noise if you want to raise the bar!” he challenged. What followed was a relentless, high-energy performance, filled with everything from mosh pits and crowd-surfers to stripped-back, intimate moments.
Set Highlights:
“Lived a Lie” / “We Are Believers” – The first big mosh pit of the night, as the crowd-surfers flooded the orange-lit venue.
“Crash” – The energy shifted as the stage turned purple, and the audience took over the vocals, creating a spine-tingling singalong.
“Suckerpunch” – A 12-minute chaos session, complete with mosh pits of all sizes and Franceschi’s formal invitation: “Nottingham, this is our f*ing house tonight!”
“Reckless” – Crowd-surfers soared over the barrier, with Franceschi playfully patting their heads as they flew past.
“Better Than You” – A rare acoustic moment, dedicated to the die-hard fans who have supported the band for two decades.
As the night drew to a close, the band took a moment to reflect on their journey. Franceschi reminisced about how You Me At Six started with just 10 people in a local venue, sharing a hilarious story about tight jeans and MySpace days.
“We ripped off every band on Drive-Thru Records, that’s a fact,” he laughed. But then, switching to sincerity, he addressed the audience:
“None of that s* the radio plays, the awards matters. The only thing that matters is you guys. Every single person on this stage is nothing without you.”
With the crowd chanting for more, the band returned for a blistering three-song encore.
🖕 “Bite My Tongue” – Middle fingers in the air, attitude at max.
🔴 “Reckless” – More moshing, more chaos.
⚫ “Underdog” – The biggest circle pit of the night, ensuring the show ended on an explosive high.
You Me At Six delivered everything fans could have asked for, massive singalongs, raw emotion, and pure rock ‘n’ roll energy. With a career spanning nearly two decades, they’ve not only cemented their legacy but also proved they can still dominate a live show like no other.
For a band that once played tiny venues to a handful of people, Rock City was their kingdom tonight, and Nottingham made damn sure they felt like royalty.
