Nightwish - Wembley Arena

The last Nightwish concert of 2015 the hope and expectation was massive for the sellout crowd of 12,500 especially as it was the only UK show. But before the concert there was the small matter of going to meet the band! I was lucky to get pulled out of the UK Fan Club draw and we all gathered expectantly at the Holiday Inn. It was all extremely relaxed in the meet'n'greet room with everybody well behaved and nobody taking advantage of the freebies on offer. Had a chat with ever band member got a few bits and pieces signed and a few pictures and unfortunately all to quickly it was over. It was a lovely experience and it was clear that the band had been gearing up for the Wembley gig as the 'big one' and the highlight of the tour. We had good seats close to the stage and elevated I would have preferred to be on the barriers but no way was I going to start queuing early morning for that privilege. Finnish band 'Amorphis' were first on stage and were good. They were followed by Sweden's 'Arch Enemy' who are just not my cup of tea i'm afraid. Playing Wembley underlines just how far Nightwish have risen up the heavy metal ladder becoming the first Finnish band as well as symphonic metal band to play the venue. As soon as vocalist Floor arrived on stage she announced that the concert was being filmed for a live DVD next year. From the opening song 'Shudder before the beautiful' to the very end there was no let up in incredible display of pyrotechnics, lights and smoke. As you would expect a large proportion of the setlist came from the latest album 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful'. But there were some less expected songs such as 'Stargazers' and 'while your Lips Are Still Red' with Marco on lead vocals. It was good to hear 'Nemo' back in it's normal format. There is no doubt that both Floor and Troy have added a new dimension to Nightwish. Floor has brought to life many of the songs and Troy is now a vital cog in the Nightwish wheel with what he brings. The second half has its epic heavyweight songs too with the likes of 'The Poet and the Pendulum' and 'Ghost Love Score'. Generally with the odd exception the sound quality is good and the promised DVD is sure to be excellent. For me I prefer a smaller venue than the soulless Wembley but those days are in the past now. The final epic The Greatest Show on Earth‘ saw Richard Dawkins emerge out on stage to speak the final lines of the track was a fitting end to the show even for someone like me who disagrees with his views. A monumental performance that will live long in the memory!

 Full Setlist

• Shudder Before the Beautiful
• Yours is an Empty Hope
•  Everdream
• Storytime
• My Walden
• While Your Lips are still Red
•  Elan
• Weak Fantasy
• 7 Days to the Wolves  
• Alpenglow
• The Poet and the Pendulum
• Nemo
•  I Want My Tears Back
•  Stargazers
•  Ghost Love Score
•  Last Ride of the Day
•  The Greatest Show on Earth (Chapter I: Four Point Six; Chapter II: Life; Chapter III: The Toolmaker)