FM. Photo by Paul Clampin FM 2025-6 — FM. Photo by Paul Clampin

By Paul Clampin, Rock At Night London

Live Coverage: FM at O2 Academy Islington, London – September 18, 2025

Tucked away in the vibrant buzz of Angel Central, the O2 Academy Islington transformed into a nostalgic powerhouse last night as FM kicked off a leg of their Brotherhood UK Tour with unyielding energy and timeless hooks. Supporting act Brave Rival set a fiery tone, but it was the headliners—veteran British melodic rockers FM—who delivered a masterclass in why they’ve endured as one of the UK’s most cherished acts since the ’80s. Celebrating the release of their 15th studio album, Brotherhood (dropped just two weeks prior on September 5 via Frontiers Music Srl), the band proved that four decades in, their sound is as potent and polished as ever.

Formed in 1984 by the Overland brothers in a Notting Hill pub, FM have long been the unsung architects of British AOR (album-oriented rock), blending soaring vocals, intricate harmonies, and guitar-driven anthems that echo the glory days of Def Leppard and Journey without ever aping them. Frontman Steve Overland’s voice remains a force of nature—rich, emotive, and defying the years—backed by the rock-solid rhythm section of bassist Merv Goldsworthy and drummer Pete Jupp. Keyboardist Jem Davis weaves lush layers, while guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick unleashes blistering solos that could peel paint off the walls. This lineup, honed over years of resilience and reinvention, felt unbreakable under the venue’s intimate lights.

Brave Rival, the night’s openers, brought a welcome shot of modern grit to the proceedings. Hailing from the same melodic rock vein but with a harder edge, the quartet—led by vocalist Lindsey Bonnick—stormed through riff-heavy bangers like “Neon Skyline” and “Break the Chains.”

In a landscape where legacy acts can sometimes coast on fumes, FM’s Brotherhood Tour feels like a bold reclamation. Brotherhood isn’t just an album; it’s a statement of solidarity and sonic evolution, and this show embodied it. Sound quality was crisp (save for a minor feedback blip early on), the intimate 800-capacity space amplified every nuance, and the band played like they had something to prove—which, after 15 albums, they absolutely do. If melodic rock is your vice, catch them before the tour wraps—it’s a brotherhood you’d be mad to miss.