Live Review: Gojira

By Resonate | May 17, 2023

Words by Cameron Bishop

The newly renamed Cardiff International Arena (formerly the Motorpoint Arena) recently hosted metal icons Gojira. They have been touring alongside Alien Weaponry and Employed To Serve following the release of their latest album Amazonia. After a postponement, there had been growing anticipation leaving their fans eager for a show.

Employed to Serve started the show, and whilst the performance was certainly engaging, there was something missing – the energy not quite translating around the arena. Whilst the band have some things to work on, an opening slot at a major venue is never easy, and they built the atmosphere in the best way they could.  Alien Weaponry was next to the stage and didn’t disappoint. If they were not opening for Gojira, it would be easy to say they stole the show.

Gojira’s headline slot was a huge coup for the band, who were playing arenas the size of which they haven’t yet set foot on until this tour. The setlist construction was near perfect, with a great blend of old and new songs that were played in an equally satisfying order. The crowd participation was certainly a constant throughout, with songs such as The Chant and Silvera getting a strong reception, with some of my personal favourites Flying Whales and Another World, also getting the desired reactions.

Another note I feel is necessary to make, given the prevalence of mosh pits and intense bodily movements at the gig, was the kindness and regard for other concertgoers I saw at this concert. The combined efforts of the stage security and the respectable manners of all the members of the pit were a welcome sight.

All in all, this was a fantastic show with some phenomenal performances by all. If it were possible, I’d fly to America right now to catch the US leg of the tour, but alas, I think I’ll have to wait for the next time they roll around to this side of the pond.

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