As we head into announcement season it’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of a nostalgic band coming back after 7 years, and with the likes of Metallica and MCR already announced and Iron Maiden teasing a date – people are going to be left with difficult choices next summer.
We expected a strong support slot (although QOTSA was quite the curve ball given USA had Deftones & Korn). We did not expect prices to be extortionate. It’s becoming increasingly sad to see concerts becoming unaffordable for the working class.
£165 + for GA. £185 for golden circle. £140 for nose bleed seats, and that’s before dynamic pricing hit, which it did.
This is your friendly reminder artists have the power to cap fees, to dictate ticket prices, to opt out of dynamic pricing, to tell their agents to use independent promoters, to ask them to book places they’ve never been before, to cap merch etc etc etc.
So, if you didn’t fancy spending £200 on System of a Down tickets. Here’s some other metal shows you can enjoy this winter to take your mind off the state of the industry.
GIGS
Killswitch Engage
Oct – from £54
An absolutely stacked line-up for £50 – KSE, Hatebreed, Fit For An Autopsy and Decapitated.
Dates
Better Lovers
Oct – from £28
This tour sees the chaotic metalcore band from Buffalo (featuring Every Time I Die members & Greg Puciato) actively choose to play in cities they’ve yet to visit. Sorry, no London for you this time.
Dates
Architects
Oct – from £52
Touring in support of recent album The Sky, The Earth and All Between, Architects also bring with them Wage War and House of Protection.
Dates
Stray From The Path
Nov – from £33
Embarking on a final tour the hardcore side of you should witness this band live for the first time, one last time.
Dates
Coilguns
Nov – from £14
If you’re looking for some good ol’ pissed-off noise-rock that brings along side it a vigorous live show – go see Coilguns.
Dates
Lake Malice
Oct – from £15
UK hard-rock with a touch of nu-metal influence. These young spritely ones are on the rise – if you’re in need of a circle pit, they’re the band to go see.
Dates
Skindred
Oct – from £38
Is October too cold yo take your shirt off and swing it like a helicopter? Go find out. Reggae x metal veterans Kindred are back on the road in October.
Dates
Vower
November – from £17
Members of Palm Reader, Black Peaks and Toska bring us intense screams along side industrial beats.
Dates
FESTIVALS
Bloodstock
Aug 2026 – from £219
The place to be when it comes to pure metal and wholesome community vibes. Next year is their 25th anniversary and already boasts a meaty line up.
https://www.bloodstock.uk.com/
Download Festival
June – from £275
The OG of metal festivals where System of a Down last played in the UK. And where for under £300 you can watch multiple stadium bands headline.
https://downloadfestival.co.uk/
ArcTanGent
August – from £191
An independent math-rock metal festival that also boasts a wholesome community.
https://arctangent.co.uk/
OTHER
For under £200 you could take a little trip to a European city and stay in a 3-4* hotel.
You could have a wild weekend and buy (on average) around 30 pints (but please drink responsibly).
You could head to your nearest mosher shop like Damaged Society and pick up at least 10 shirts.
You could set aside £20 a month and go to one local show a month.
