LIVE FROM THE PIT: Magnolia Park and The Pretty Wild

While visiting the UK for the Download Festival, MAGNOLIA PARK decided to add a London date to their trip, playing O2 Academy Islington with THE PRETTY WILD supporting them. Coming all the way from Florida, they made their trip across the ocean worth it with festival dates across Europe such as Rock Am Ring, Nova Rock, Rock For People and many more! Their packed out 2026 is just beginning, with the later half of the year taking them around the US supporting BEARTOOTH along with Britain's own DON BROCO. 

Before the opener had even made it to the stage, the room was packed out with so many fans it was difficult to move around. Singing along to the pre-show playlist and chatting with each other with many of them also having been at Download Festival at the weekend. Just from the room, you could visualise the band's wide spread demographic with a range of genders, ages and styles all coming together for the band. 

Opening the night and warming up the crowd were THE PRETTY WILD, who stormed onto the stage to a huge cheer. The duo sister act - Jyl and Jules - from Las Vegas were bursting with energy and vigor, bringing the rooms energy up with them. The sisters are polarizing with each other, yet matching and looking cohesive. Musically the band are best described as nu-metal and metalcore, but their sound bends the boundaries set by the labels.

Both of them shared the load of a frontwoman, side by side sharing the limelight and both taking their turns to sing and scream, as well as coming together to harmonise at times. Their setlist compiled all their best songs like Sleepwalker, Button Eyes and Paradox, each song giving a unique look into their talents. The duo also gave a moment to cheer on their drummer and guitarist, as well as each encouraging cheers for their sister. 

Despite only opening the show, the fans were loud with many knowing words and singing along, starting mosh pits and even having a crowd surfer! They did their job perfectly, warming up the room and getting everyone on their feet, and the fans showed up for them and let them know how loved they are across the pond. 

The lights dimmed for the second time, shocking the crowd and causing a ruckus, somehow the room was even more packed than before with late comers having to stand right at the exit to the venue. MAGNOLIA PARK paraded onto the stage and kicked straight into their opening song Animal, and right from the start every fan in the crowd knew every word. Each member of the band was moving in synchronized chaos, not leaving one spot along the stage empty and singing, dancing and jumping along with the fans and each other. 

The band play a range of metalcore, pop-rock and punk songs, each bringing a certain flavour to the venue. They had their logo hanging as a backdrop over the stage as well as on their mic in a metal decal, a great attention to detail that just enhanced the performance overall. Lead vocalist Joshua Roberts flaunted his skills throughout the show, flipping between a deep growling scream and impressive drawn out high notes. 

The energy in the room coming from the band was reflected ten fold by the floor and despite the lack of space, the moshers found a way and kept the mosh going the whole show. One part of the show even saw the band's guitarist jumping into the middle of a circle pit to then crowd surf out to make it back to the stage. The connection between the fans and the band was so present throughout the night, the gap from the barricade to the stage being bridged through the music. 

Joshua took a moment to let London know that they were “one of the loudest crowds we've ever performed to” before they even performed their biggest hits. They played hits like Omen, Worship and Crave before ending the main part of their set on their biggest hit Shallow. Having found a huge platform across social media, everyone in the room knew it word for word, fans from upstairs on the balcony ran downstairs just to join the mosh pits. 

The venue also saw numerous crowd surfers, proudly passing by the signs instructing them not to do so. After Shallow the band left the stage, but of course were instantly cheered back on for an encore. “You want one more song? You gotta dance with us then”, Joshua shouted before starting their song I2I. Every person in the room danced along from the front to back, the balcony and even the staff in the bar, although it's hard to measure with how loud the venue was, it was certainly loudest during their encore. 

They then finally brought the show to a close with their track Misfits, another that every person in the crowd loved. Ending the show on an ultimate high with as many people as there could be crowd surfing and everyone off their feet. When the music finally ended, the band took a moment to wave to everyone they could and give out all the setlists, picks and drumsticks they possibly could. 

The appreciation between the fans and the band was so mutual, you could feel the love all across the room. We hope that this showed the band how loved they are over here and convinced them to return soon, with such a huge year ahead of them still they can only go up!

Words and photos: Amy Smyth