Blacktop Mojo – Papillon, Southampton (Tour Finale Review)
Papillon Southampton got the final night of the tour—and honestly, you could tell straight away this wasn’t going to be a “by the book” kind of gig. Last nights never are. They’re a bit louder, a bit messier, and a lot more fun.
With Gorilla Riot, Brayden Stewart and Blacktop Mojo on the lineup, it was already stacked—but what made it was everything around the music as much as the songs themselves.
Gorilla Riot – Live in Southampton
Having had the chance to interview Gorilla Riot earlier in the day, it made watching their set hit a little differently.
There’s something about seeing that off-stage personality translate straight onto the stage.
They don’t do easing in, and “Kerosene Clown” proved that straight away, no messing about, just straight into it. “Most Wanted” kept things moving, and from there they just built and built.
“Last Hymn” and “Half Cut” showed how tight they’ve become on this run, while “Molotov Sister” brought that extra bit of grit. By the time “Bad Son” landed, the crowd were fully on side, and “Dirty” closed things out exactly how you want it ….loud, confident, and leaving people wanting more.
It felt less like an opening set and more like a band kicking the door in.
Brayden Stewart – Acoustic Set Highlights
Brayden Stewart took things down a notch, but in a good way. Where Gorilla Riot hit hard, this was more about connection, and it worked. The room stayed with him the whole time.
A standout moment came with a guest appearance from Michael Summers (Michael Summers & 30 Miles East), adding something genuinely special to the set and giving the crowd something a bit different.
By now though, you could feel the tour energy creeping in, the little pranks, little moments, that sense that things weren’t going to stay completely serious for long.
Blacktop Mojo – Headline Set & Encore
Blacktop Mojo walked out to a crowd that was ready,and they delivered.
“Wicked Woman” and “Weary I Roam” got things going before they powered through “Burn the Ships” and “Gut Shot” without letting up. “Come Get Your Coat” and “Pyromaniac” kept that momentum going, and you could tell they were enjoying this one.
Mid-set, “Can’t Sleep” and “Tail Lights” locked everyone into that groove, before “Time the Killer” and “The Void” added a bit more weight again. “Where the Wind Blows” was a standout, a big reaction, big moment, and “It Won’t Last” wrapped the main set perfectly.
But this is where it stopped being just a gig.
The pranks were in full swing, band members appearing out of nowhere, and then came the moment of the night….all three bands on stage together for a chaotic, brilliant take on In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins. One of those moments you don’t plan, and definitely don’t forget.
The encore brought things back round with an acoustic breather into “Prodigal”, and for me, that was a bit of a full circle moment. It was actually a listener on my Rock Show on Marlow FM who first introduced me to Blacktop Mojo by requesting that very track, thank you keiron, so hearing that live, on the final night of their tour, felt like everything had come back round in the best way.
Closing with “Dream On”, the whole room was singing, and it felt like the only way this night could end.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this wasn’t polished. It wasn’t perfect.
It was better than that.
A proper final night, full of energy, a bit chaotic, loads of personality, and moments you don’t script.
Gorilla Riot came out swinging, Brayden Stewart brought the heart (and a great cameo from Michael Summers), and Blacktop Mojo closed it all off with a set and a moment that you won’t forget in a hurry.
