NOTRIXX

There’s something particularly exciting about walking into a venue for the first time when you have absolutely no idea what to expect. That was exactly the feeling heading into Boom in Leeds for N0TRIXX’S headline show. A new venue to me, a stacked lineup and a room full of people clearly ready to make some noise - huge props have to go to Steel Heart Promotions for putting together a killer bill.

With four bands bringing four very different flavours of heavy music to the stage, this wasn’t just a headline show. It felt like a proper celebration of the alternative scene, with the crowd getting more and more invested as the night went on.

First up were WEIGHTBEARER, and they wasted absolutely no time getting things started. From the first few riffs, it was clear that they had come prepared to make an impact. The riffs were insanely heavy, providing the perfect way to kick off the night and immediately setting the tone for what was to come.

Having seen them previously during the Metal 2 The Masses quarter-finals, there was a noticeable step up in their performance. They felt tighter, more confident and more commanding this time around. It was a huge performance from the band and a great start to the night, with WEIGHTBEARER making sure nobody in the room was going to ease their way into the show.

BEARPIT were up next, and things quickly became a little more physical. It didn’t take long before we had the first pit of the night, with a two-step pit breaking out early on. From there, the energy only kept building.

There was plenty of movement on stage too, with headbanging and dancing from the guitarist helping to mirror the chaos unfolding in front of them. During the set, the singer took the opportunity to thank Steel Heart Promotions for having them on the lineup, and you could tell just how much the night meant to the band.

Before Breathe, the crowd were encouraged to get themselves moving even more, and they happily obliged. The set also carried an emotional moment as the band announced that this would be the guitarist’s final show with BEARPIT after three years. The final song became a proper send-off, with the other guitarist joining the crowd and adding to the atmosphere. It was a fitting way to end their set, and one that made their performance feel like more than just another stop on the bill.

Then came DACARA, and the room was well and truly warmed up by this point.

Frontman David was clearly keeping an eye on what was happening in the crowd, spotting the two-steppers and encouraging them to keep it up. DACARA’S ability to bounce off the audience is a huge part of what makes their live performances so much fun, and that connection was on full display throughout the set.

At one point, David asked the room who liked Elden Ring, which led perfectly into Rot that got a great response. Behind them, the visuals on the screens were equally impressive. The videos used throughout the set were insane and worked perfectly with the performance, adding another layer to the already intense atmosphere.

Try Hard was another standout moment for me. It always hits hard live and is definitely one of my personal favourites to hear from the band. There was also the small matter of the Pokémon pack that was supposed to be opened for David, only for it to be substituted with tomato purée instead. Not quite the same thing, but definitely memorable.

DACARA continued checking in with the crowd throughout the set, making sure the room was still as lively as they needed it to be, while also showing plenty of love to the other bands on the lineup. The audience were then asked to help sing along to Just Monika, creating one of those moments where the room felt properly united.

And then came the BRING ME THE HORIZON cover. Kingslayer is by no means an easy song to pull off, but DACARA absolutely smashed it. Emma in particular killed her parts, and the whole thing sounded impeccable. By the end of the set, the energy in the room was at a serious high and, considering they were a member down due to last-minute sickness, they should be incredibly proud of this performance.

Once again, DACARA proved exactly why they are one of the best rising bands in Manchester right now.

That left it all perfectly set up for N0TRIXX.

As the lights dimmed into a blood-red glow, she took to the stage wearing her trademark mask, immediately creating an atmosphere that felt darker and more intense from the moment she appeared, however, this was never going to be a show where the crowd simply stood and watched.

N0TRIXX  has a way of engaging with every person in the room, constantly encouraging people to become part of the performance rather than spectators. She repeatedly came into the crowd to sing and dance with people, breaking down the usual barrier between artist and audience and making the show feel much more personal.

At one point, she had the entire crowd sit down with her in the pit before jumping back up and breaking into movement and dancing. It was one of those moments that sounds simple on paper but becomes incredibly effective in the moment, with everyone completely buying into what was happening.

Throughout the night, N0TRIXX  delivered an intense and incredibly well-received performance, showcasing her unique blend of alternative metal, trap and electronic soundscapes. The crowd were actively moving, dancing and getting completely drawn into the electrifying atmosphere she created.

Playing tracks from her new album A Catalogue of Madness and Melancholia, the set also carried a deeper sense of meaning. N0TRIXX's music and live shows openly tackle themes of neurodivergency, trauma and mental health struggles, creating an experience that feels deeply personal while also being incredibly liberating for those in the room.

That openness is a huge part of what makes her live presence so compelling. There’s an intensity to the music, but there is also an invitation to let go and exist in the moment without judgement. For fans of alternative and nu-metal, that combination clearly resonates.

By the end of the night, it was obvious that Steel Heart Promotions had put together something special. From WEIGHTBEARER’S crushing opening set to BEARPIT’S emotional send-off, DACARA’S high-energy chaos and N0TRIXX’S captivating headline performance, every band brought something different to the table.

For my first visit to Boom, Leeds, it was certainly a memorable one. More importantly, it was another reminder of just how exciting and supportive the UK alternative scene can be when a strong lineup, passionate crowd and artists willing to give everything come together.

N0TRIXX closed the night with a performance that was intense, immersive and impossible not to get involved in — and after a lineup like that, it was the perfect way to end it.