Resolve, Windwaker, Tropic Gold & Ashen Rock O2 Islington 2 Gig

Key Points

• French metalcore band Resolve headlined a sold-out show at O2 Academy Islington 2 upstairs venue in London on January 28th, 2026, marking a farewell to their Human album cycle.
• Support acts included Ashen (French, rated 7/10), Tropic Gold (UK-based, rated 9/10), and Windwaker (Australian, rated 8/10), creating a stacked transatlantic bill.
• Ashen opened with poised performances from their recent album Chimera, including the title track.
• Tropic Gold delivered a modern metal pop set with electronics, sultry vocals, heavy screams, and guest appearances by nu metal artist Harpy and Windwaker’s Liam Guinane.
• Windwaker made their UK debut with high-energy tracks from Love Language, such as Superstition Fantasy and Dopamine Freestyle, drawing comparisons to Northlane, Thornhill, and Ocean Grove.
• Resolve started with futuristic vibes from Human, featuring tracks like Sandman, Death Awaits, and Older Days, plus older hits from Between Me And The Machine like Seasick Sailor and Forever Yours.
• Bassist Robin Mariat stood out with a cyberpunk look, including silver oval sunglasses; singer Anthony Diliberto’s vocals were initially lost in the mix but improved.
• The show packed out the venue, blending headbanging, pits, and fan favourites, leaving crowds excited for Resolve’s next cycle in potentially larger rooms.

O2 Academy Islington 2, London (North London News) February 6, 2026 – Resolve, the French metalcore powerhouse, closed out their Human album era with a blistering sold-out performance at the upstairs room of O2 Academy Islington 2, joined by supports Ashen, Tropic Gold, and Windwaker in a transatlantic lineup that electrified the crowd.

This gig stood out for its stacked billing, drawing fans not just for the headliners but for the full undercard, as noted in the original live review. Resolve, no strangers to high-octane UK tours—previously alongside bands like Siamese—delivered a “sandstorm of futuristic vibes and metalcore chugs,” waving farewell to Human with whirlwind energy.

Who Opened the Night and How Did Ashen Perform?

Ashen, hailing from France like the headliners, kicked off the evening as the first band on this stacked undercard. Performing with poise, assurance, and confidence, they filled their setlist primarily with tracks from their most recently released album Chimera, including the titular title track. As detailed in the live review coverage, Ashen’s set positioned them as a strong opener, setting a solid tone for the night despite being the earliest act.

No additional statements from other media sources were available on Ashen’s specific performance, but their selection underscored the French metalcore connection to Resolve, contributing to the evening’s cohesive undercard vibe.

What Made Tropic Gold’s Set Stand Out in the UK Metalcore Scene?

Next up, one of the UK’s homegrown talents, London-based Tropic Gold, rated a standout 9/10, owned the stage with style and swagger. Their modern meld of sleek metal pop, electronics, and passionate vocals—marked by “absorbing sultriness and heavy screams”—entranced the audience. They brought out guests including nu metal artist Harpy and Windwaker’s Liam Guinane throughout their set, amplifying the collaborative energy.

The review highlights Tropic Gold as a band “going to be on everyone in the metal scenes’ radars very soon,” not just for those packing the room that night. Their steadily focused performance showcased why they deserve attention in the competitive UK metalcore space, blending addictive outpourings with a polished presence.

Attribution for these details comes directly from the on-scene live review, emphasising Tropic Gold’s potential breakout status.

How Did Windwaker Fare in Their UK Debut?

Hailing from sunny Australia, Windwaker—rated 8/10—delivered a shining testament to global talent, easily ranking alongside acts like Northlane, Thornhill, and Ocean Grove. Known for their “beautifully heavy hitting album Love Language,” they performed tracks from it, including Superstition Fantasy and Dopamine Freestyle. For their first-ever UK show, Windwaker blasted through a “high energy, totally awakening brand of crazy hyper metalcore,” leaving the London crowd buzzing for days.

The review captures the explosive impact, noting how this debut awakened the audience with relentless pace. No conflicting reports from other outlets, but the transatlantic draw was evident in the packed venue response.

As reported in the primary live review, Windwaker’s set reinforced Australia’s strong metalcore export pipeline.

What Was Resolve’s Headline Performance Like?

Finally, headliners Resolve, rated 9/10, hit the stage in the “digitally futuristic fashion” of their latest LP Human, opening with Sandman to whip up headbanging and pits. Bassist Robin Mariat, “looking straight outta the Matrix with his silver oval sunglasses,” embodied a cyberpunk mission, enhancing Resolve’s sharper visual and sonic edge. Singer Anthony Diliberto’s vocals were initially “lost in the mix” for the first couple of songs but sharpened as the set progressed.

Despite farewelling the Human era, Resolve dedicated a large portion to tracks like Death Awaits and Older Days, while throwing back to older fans with firm favourites from Between Me And The Machine, such as Seasick Sailor and Forever Yours. This mix powered through, proving timeless appeal.

The review laments it as “the end of an era,” with Human‘s technical, digital, futuristic world reaching a climax. Yet, it was a fond farewell, not to Resolve, but to the album—leaving the London crowd curious about future cycles in “perhaps deserved bigger rooms.”

Why Was This Lineup So Stacked and Irresistible?

Some tour lineups “just catch your eye with their insane stacked billing,” prompting ticket buys beyond the headliner. Resolve, deserving their packed O2 Academy Islington upstairs, curated this transatlantic collection: French openers Ashen, UK stars Tropic Gold, Aussie dynamos Windwaker, and themselves. Previously touring UK with Siamese, Resolve elevated their current run, blending metalcore chugs with futuristic vibes.

The venue’s intimate upstairs space amplified the intensity, creating a sandstorm of energy. Fans experienced a whirlwind from openers’ poise to headliners’ cyberpunk flair, marking a pivotal night.

How Did Guest Appearances Enhance Tropic Gold’s Set?

Tropic Gold’s guest spots added layers, with nu metal artist Harpy and Windwaker’s Liam Guinane joining for anthemic moments. This cross-bill collaboration heightened the sultry vocals and screams, making their performance a highlight. As per the review, it showcased their rising swagger and style.

No further media attributions specify these guests, but they underscored the night’s interconnected talent pool.

What Visual and Sonic Elements Defined Resolve’s Show?

Resolve amped up the “anti,” appearing visually and sonically sharper. Robin Mariat’s silver oval sunglasses evoked cyberpunk aesthetics, positioning him as “the most cyberpunk band member in the metalcore scene.” The Human opener Sandman ignited pits, while the set balanced new and old—Death Awaits, Older Days from Human, and classics like Seasick Sailor.

Initial vocal mix issues for Anthony Diliberto aside, the band powered through, climaxing the album’s digital world.

What Does This Gig Mean for Resolve’s Future?

Shelving most of Human marks closure, but Resolve’s “mega London headliner” status endures. The review speculates bigger rooms next, with fans left pondering the next album cycle. This farewell blended eras, satisfying old fans with Between Me And The Machine cuts while previewing evolution.

The packed crowd’s buzz signals sustained demand, positioning Resolve for growth post-Human.

How Did the Venue and Crowd Contribute to the Atmosphere?

O2 Academy Islington 2’s upstairs room, fully packed, fostered an intimate yet explosive vibe. Headbanging, pits, and awakening energy from Windwaker to Resolve’s chugs created days-long buzz. Londoners embraced the transatlantic heat, from Ashen’s confidence to Tropic Gold’s homegrown fire.