Spiritbox confirm their status as the most exciting group in metal at Reading 2024

A real flex from a band who’ve always thrown themselves into the unknown Words: Ali Shutler. Photos: Frances Beach.

Spiritbox have comfortably established themselves as the most exciting group in metal by this point in time. Debut album ‘Eternal Blue’ was a hulking chunk of catharsis that just kept getting bigger while follow-up EP ‘The Fear Of Fear’ saw the band continue to push boundaries, with smirking nods to nu-metal, grunge and industrial pop. Then there’s their brilliant “rock” remix of Megan The Stallion’s urgent ‘Cobra,’ which is about as defiant a collaboration as you’ll see from a metal band.

The crossover playground that is Reading is another world entirely though. “We’ve wanted to play this festival for a long time, but we were a little nervous,” admits vocalist Courtney LaPlante, having grown up watching footage of the festival from back home in Canada. She has good reason to be a little worried as well. The band are by far the heaviest group playing across the entire weekend and today, they’re sharing the main stage with indie darlings Two Door Cinema Club and chirpy singer-songwriter Gerry Cinnamon.

“We’re still trying to work you out,” she tells the crowd a little later. However, the band don’t waste time easing the audience into their abrasive, technicolor world with the brutal ‘Cellar Door’ kicking things off before the glitching pop-metal of ‘Jaded’ slams together serenity and abrasion.

“Hi Reading, we’re Spiritbox and we’re here to ruin your day,” grins Courtney, playfully introducing herself to the ever-growing crowd. From the hammering ‘Circle With Me’ through the atmospheric snarl of ‘The Void’ to the funk-infused dance of ‘Rotoscope’, Spiritbox put on a masterclass in forward-facing metal.

There’s a constantly swirling mosh pit down the front and on the edges of the crowd, more and more people get drawn into the beautiful aggression the band harnesses. By the time ferocious breakout anthem ‘Holy Roller’ and the shifting ‘Hysteria’ close out the set, Spiritbox have well and truly made themselves right at home at Reading.

“I like this,” says Courtney. Spiritbox are clearly destined for big things. They’ve already announced a massive headline show at London’s Alexandra Palace for next year and you’d assume Reading’s sister festival Download has them earmarked as future headliners, but today is a real flex from a band who’ve always thrown themselves into the unknown.

It’s a total triumph as well, with a lot of new fans onboard with their journey to the top.