Drowning Pool Boiler Shop 9/11/25
Invited| Review by Michael Dunwell
There’s something really special about seeing a nostalgic band in an intimate venue, one that’s been part of the soundtrack to so many nights out, road trips, and memories. For me and my sister, Drowning Pool are exactly that. Their song Bodies has been a staple at Rise, the legendary club night at Newcastle’s Grey’s Club that we’ve been going to for years. It’s one of those songs that instantly brings people together, the lights drop, the iconic vocal starts, and suddenly everyone’s shouting along in unison. So to finally see it live, in a venue as close and personal as the Boiler Shop, was honestly incredible.
Before the gig we stopped at the Blue Bell in Jesmond for a Sunday lunch, I highly recommend it if you’re in the area: cosy, unpretentious and perfect for gearing up for a night of music. Oh, and that gravy, unreal
They kicked off the set with Sinner, honestly one of my all-time favourite songs. From the first riff I was pumped, it hit exactly as I’d hoped, full of energy and immediacy. The way the guitarist, C.J. Pierce, moved through the riffs was exceptional: sharp, heavy, clean when it needed to be, and raw when required. His tone and presence gave the performance an added edge that set the tone from the very start. Stop reading right now and put this song on, then come back.
Mid-show, something technical went awry: the house lights came up and stayed on for a bit, halting the flow. But this is where the Newcastle crowd showed what live music in the North East is about: rather than frustration, we all started singing “If you’re happy and you know, clap your hands” together. That spontaneous moment broke the tension and somehow made the evening even more memorable. The drummer, Mike Luce, later took the mic to thank us all for being so patient and for “saving the night”. The band then picked up right where they left off and carried the energy back full-tilt.
In the final stretch they played Tear Away, which is amazing live. I loved the drum pattern on it, that triplet kick drum under the driving guitars and the slightly droning vocals: it just locked the crowd in. And then to finish on Bodies, the moment my sister and I, who’ve always attended club nights at Newcastle’s Rise (we still go when our knees allow us) singing that song night after night, felt something special. Hearing it live, in that venue, with everyone bouncing along, felt like a full circle moment: club anthem meets live energy.
What struck me most about the show was how genuine it felt. From the opener to the encore, every moment had purpose and connection. The band fed off the crowd, the crowd fed off the band, and despite the hiccup with the lights, the night never lost momentum. C.J. Pierce delivered on guitar, Mike Luce anchored things on drums, and the mood in the room stayed electric. For me and my sister, who’ve been into the Rise club night and had heard Bodies countless times, this felt like a special tribute to the shared memories and the turning of a page.
Drowning Pool absolutely nailed it. Great venue, great crowd, real live-music heart. If you ever see them listed in your town, get a ticket. Grab something before the show (like that Sunday lunch we had at Blue Bell), get near the front, let the riffs hit you, and enjoy being part of something just a little bit bigger than a regular night out. You won’t regret it.