Live Review: Punk Rock Factory – It’s Just A Stage We’re Going Through Tour – O2 Academy Islington, London

Fans of Punk Rock and Disney covers assemble! Punk Rock Factory are back on tour once again and they have sold out Islington Academy! Enlisting the support of Adam And The Metalhaws, The band are hoping to continue their momentous rise to the top of the punk rock scene in a whimsical way. Here’s what went down in London Town!

Kicking off the night, TikTok sensations Adam And The Metalhawks set the stage on fire, instantly igniting the crowd’s enthusiasm. They delivered timeless classics like ‘Timewarp’, ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, and ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’, creating a winning formula for captivating the audience. Their set felt like a mini rock opera, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept the crowd engaged. Adam and his band left an indelible mark during their inaugural performance on the other side of the pond, thanks to their incredible stage presence.

The transition to the headlining act, Punk Rock Factory, happened in the blink of an eye. Singer Peej took to the security barrier and exuded excitement as he began with the Disney classic ‘I Just Can’t Wait To Be King’. Both rockers and punks showcased their softer sides during this performance, belting out tracks like ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ The setlist was a delightful mix of Disney tunes, TV themes, and punk-infused catchy tracks.

A highly emotional moment emerged as the band paid tribute to the late Matthew Perry by covering the ‘Friends’ theme song, ‘I’ll Be There For You.’ They also treated the audience to their rendition of ‘The Pokemon Theme’, featuring Adam from The Metalhawks and the original singer, Jason Page.

If kid’s cartoon themes are your cup of tea then you were in for a treat as ‘Paw Patrol’, ‘Spongebob SquarePants’, and ‘Bluey’ all got playthroughs during this set. For some of you older fans, ‘Running Up That Hill’ and ‘You’re The Voice’ may have tickled your fancy a bit more. There’s no denying this set was extremely laid back in nature and no song really personified that more than the fan voted ‘Gummie Bears’ track. Who doesn’t want to be a Gummy Bear!

As the set would come to an end, Punk Rock Factory wanted to prove why they were one of the fastest-growing acts in the country at this time. Kicking off the end with ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ before some minor technical issues meant ‘Spongebob Squarepants’ would receive another TWO playthroughs as Peej exclaimed “It’s always London” before resuming their set with ‘Let It Go’, ‘December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)’ and closing out with ‘How Far I’ll Go’.

A punk rock performance that caters to both adults and children is a refreshing sight. The atmosphere in the venue that night was one of unity and celebration, with everyone seemingly having a fantastic time. Punk Rock Factory appears to be elevating their game with each tour, and if this sounds like your kind of experience, they’ve already announced another tour for 2024!