Bradford Rio,13th July 2004

I have to admit that when I found out Nightwish where doing a solo gig, with no support bands, I couldn’t help but wonder just who they thought they where. But when they’ve achieved global success with their new album ONCE and multi-platinum single Nemo, I couldn’t really argue the point.

On first viewing I did think the Bradford Rio was a bit of a small dive; a dimly lit half-circle dance floor led off to two bars either side at the rear; and at the front a small unlit stage. The night started badly as the band was late, and many disgruntled fans were left waiting at the door. I even contemplated leaving when it took the best part of half-an-hour to get a beer! A glance at my watch said half-nine, and still no trace of the band we’d travelled so far to see, and the fans where chanting angrily with tension tangibly in the air.

As this is one of there very first shows in the UK the pressure placed on the band, if they ever took to the stage, was substantial. Suddenly, out went the lights, the roar of excited anticipation went stratospheric, a low bass sample began echoing from the PA. The chants of ‘Nightwish, Nightwish’ grew louder and louder, and then resumed as one by one, they walked onto the stage, - Tuomas (keys), Jukka (drums), Emppu (guitars) and a new bassist /vocalist.

The lights showered the stage as the band tore into the opening track of ONCE and as the intro ended and headed for the first verse, the crowd went wild as Tarja (vocals) strode onto the stage to christen the mic. This band can be described as nothing less than epic, and you could imagine some of tonight’s set adorning the soundtracks to many a Hollywood blockbuster.

The band overshadowed the stage, and indeed the whole venue; the music flew into the crowd, who seemed to be lost in the kind of magical kingdoms the band’s lyrics are inspired by (although it’s also that a few people in the place where genuinely off their face). As the first track ended, the gratitude of the band for the screams of delight was clearly visible. Tarja thanked them briefly before launching into another pounding barrage of opera and black metal.

As the set progressed classics like End of All Hope and Sleeping Sun enveloped the crowd. Hell, even the cover of Phantom of The Opera was well received. With the sampled orchestra, if you closed your eyes you could really imagine a kind of Metallica S+M -meets-opera style gig. The sheer emotion in the singing grasped you, as Tarja sang every note, verse, and song. This was a truly amazing set. A personal high point for me was the break in the set when Tarja left the stage, leaving the rest of the band to cover Mega Deth’s Prince of Darkness.

But the best moment was to come as Tuomas began the haunting intro to last single Once, and the noise from the crowd became deafening, as was the earthquake caused by the whole venue jumping in unison as the song broke. The band had the whole audience in the palm of their hands, hanging onto every note.

Finally after an emotionally draining set, the band left the stage briefly, and with an encore very much on the cards, I was unsure just how much more I could take. Within seconds they were back with If I Had An Angel. The crash of the drums, the piercing strings, the crushing guitars, and soul destroying bass gripped its victims, before Tarja’s heavenly wail finally nailed it. When the glorious end came, the band united hands and gave a theatrical bow of appreciation to the fans, before finally leaving the stage.

We struggled to comprehend what we had just witnessed, and left the building to enter the sharp contrast of night’s eerie silence. This was by far one of the best live bands I have ever seen, and if you ever get the chance, I suggest you go see, and find out why…