Live report VOLBEAT, BUSH & WITCH FEVER, Barclays Arena, Hamburg – October 11th, 2025

Volbeat is currently on a world tour, and three-quarters of it is already in the books. Tonight, the Danish powerhouse is performing in Hamburg, and the event is sold out. Volbeat is touring with 90s rock veterans Bush, who recently released a new album, and Witch Fever from the UK. This exciting lineup will rock Barclays Arena, with Witch Fever kicking things off.

The four-piece band hails from Manchester, UK, and their music is rooted in rock and grunge with a dark vibe. Witch Fever tries hard to set the mood in the huge hall, but the fans came for Volbeat, and the sound of the opening act is not close to that of the main act. Witch Fever spreads a gloomy vibe, which might work better in a smaller venue. Still, the quartet receives honest applause at the end of their set, then hands the baton to Bush.

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It’s been a while since Gavin Rossdale and his band toured Europe, but the new album is a great reason to perform live and play some new songs. The setlist starts with material from the debut album tough. “Everything Zen” is taken from “this album”Sixteen Stone” and marks the beginning of a show that bridges old and new with “The Land of Milk and Honey” being one of the new songs that Bush will play tonight.

Unfortunately, Bush has a less-than-ideal sound during the beginning of the show, but fortunately, it doesn’t take long to fix this issue. By their second song, Bush benefits from a powerful sound, and for the next 50 minutes, things won’t change.

Bush had a blast in the ’90s with their hit “Swallowed,” and the song creates a goosebump-inducing atmosphere tonight accompanied by hundreds of flashlights on mobile phones. Surprising is the excursion Rossdale does during the last song. He goes down the stairs into the photo pit. Instead of just staying there and shaking hands, the frontman makes a full round through the venue, including the seating area and the infield. This is the moment when the spirit transforms into rock ‘n’ roll. Fans stand up from their seats, and what started slowly turns into an energetic wave of euphoria during the finale.

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Volbeat‘s career path is impressive. From the time when frontman Michael Poulsen personally sent the first demo CD to a prominent act that now fills big arenas, it has been an impressive development, with no end in sight. As mentioned earlier, tonight’s show is sold out, and the fans make it clear why they bought their tickets. While there was initial euphoria in the hall at the end of the Bush set, the next peak of enthusiasm is reached when the lights go down and the huge curtain with the silhouettes of the four band members comes into focus. The curtain falls, and the show starts. Volbeat opens with “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown,” and the second song isn’t from the new album either. “Lola Montez” is from the 2013 album “Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies,” followed by “Sad Man’s Tongue.” Poulsen introduces the song with a short Johnny Cash intro, kicking off the tune with an acoustic guitar at the end of the runway.

“Demonic Depression,” a heavy blast from the new album, feels like the next adrenaline rush for fans. The announcement of “In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan’s Spawn in a Dying World of Doom” is as special as the song title and the ‘goat’ returns more than once during the show, featuring highlights such as “Heaven nor Hell” and “Seal the Deal.”

A special highlight of the night takes place in the middle of the set when Poulsen announces a German singer. Who might join the band onstage? No less than death metal veteran Marc Grewe! The two have worked together in Asinhell, and Grewe’s deep growls give this night a heavy touch. His barking vocals and Poulsen’s clean singing make “Evelyn” a blasting experience. I’m not sure if everyone expected a Volbeat song to be presented so heavily. However, Poulsen’s first band, Dominion, was a death metal outfit, so adding such momentum to tonight’s show is a great twist.

In the meantime, no one is sitting anymore as the energy level remains sky-high. The special that comes with “Still Counting” is the next highlight. Family seems to be important to the Danish bandleader, who invites kids in the audience to join him onstage, bringing the next generation of rock and metal fans into the spotlight. Singing along with the band is surely a thrilling moment for all these young fans. And since it is the digital general, a few selfies at the end of the song need to be taken, capturing a unique once-in-a-lifetime moment for these kids.

With “A Warrior’s Call / Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza,” we are getting closer to the finish line. The pulsating blast at the end is a spectacular finale that showcases Volbeat’s signature heaviness.
Volbeat delivered a great set, and songs from the new album fit perfectly alongside earlier Volbeat classics. The new album showcases an energetic and highly motivated band. Tonight’s live performance reinforced this impression, showing why Volbeat belong among the greats of contemporary rock and metal.

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Setlist Volbeat

The Devil’s Bleeding Crown
Lola Montez
Sad Man’s Tongue
Demonic Depression
Fallen
Shotgun Blues
In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan’s Spawn in a Dying World of Doom
By a Monster’s Hand
Heaven nor Hell
Evelyn (feat. Marc Grewe)
The Devil Rages On
Die to Live
Time Will Heal
Black Rose
Seal the Deal
For Evigt
Still Counting
A Warrior’s Call / Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza