Machine Gun Kelly – The ‘Mainstream Sellout’ tour. Live at OVO Arena, Wembley

OVO Arena Wembley, 1st October 2022

Review & photos: Aggie Anthimidou

If anyone knows how to throw a party on stage that’s Machine Gun Kelly.  A sold out party that is. A show that went past Wembley Arena’s bedtime saw: MGK making an entrance on stage via a pink helicopter, welcoming  special guests Yungblud and Skepta and effortlessly going through a 29-strong track list with infectious energy and enthusiasm.

 

Backed by a band of remarkable musicians – Sophie Lloyd (guitar), JP “Rook” Cappelletty (drums), Steve “Baze” Basil (bass/keys), Brandon ‘Slimxx’ Allen (keys) and Justin “Jus” Lyons (guitar) offered glorious moments of rock n’ roll brilliance during tracks like ‘maybe’ and ‘lonely’ with extensive guitar and drum solos.

 

MGKs frequent crowd interaction helped achieve that intimate gig quality. “If you ever feel lonely, just press play and I’m right here,” he says while he goes on to make a special tribute to his friend, the late Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington, with ‘Glass House’.

“The last time I saw him was here in Europe so I encourage you, because life is short, to go and live this life, I know it’s hard, but nights like tonight make life worth it. I hope when you leave here, you find more nights like this and to live this short life. I love you very much.”

Machine Gun Kelly is no stranger to internet criticism and this is something he talks about extensively throughout the show. Tonight though is a testament to his fans’ dedication and adoration. Whatever the internet’s contradicting views one can’t deny that his performance tonight is faultless and precise throughout, his stage presence is charismatic and he achieves a unique pal-like connection with his fans that are completely taken by him. He says that the last time he played London was at Brixton Academy and “it didn’t look like this”.

“We are just beginning”, he says setting the bar higher. After tonight’s success, everything’s possible.

 

 

Setlist

1. born with horns
2. god save me
3. maybe
4. Praise The Lord’ (Da Shine), ((A$AP Rocky cover with Skepta)
5. drunk face
6. fake love don’t last (With Iann Dior)
7. concert for aliens
8. ay!
9. don’t sleep, repeat (44phantom cover, with 44phantom)
10. more than life
11. die in california
12. Floor 13
13. papercuts
14. title track
15. kiss kiss
16. bloody valentine
17. El Diablo
18. WWIII
19. WW4
20. emo girl
21. Glass House
22. lonely
23. acting like that (Yungblud cover, with Yungblud)
24. I Think I’m OKAY (with Yungblud)
25. love race / banyan tree – interlude / why are you here / jawbreaker / sid & nancy
26. forget me too
27. make up sex
28. my ex’s best friend
29. twin flame