Live review: Lisbon NOS Alive 2025

“Rock’n’roll lives,” proclaims Bad Nerves frontman Bobby Nerves. “Guitar music is never dead!” He’s not wrong. Kicking off this year’s NOS Alive – a festival that began in 2007 and boasts big rock roots, with its name inspired by Pearl Jam’s 1991 classic Ten single – the Essex punks are warming gig-goers up for the likes of Benson Boone and pop-rock megastar Olivia Rodrigo on the first day of 2025’s Lisbon extravaganza. Previous iterations of the fest have been headlined by everyone from Metallica and Rage Against The Machine to Foo Fighters and Green Day, and while recent years have expanded into truly genre-spanning affairs, this still remains a loving home for those who like things heavy.

It’s why Bad Nerves feel so comfortable in the giant Palco Heineken tent. Fans may still be slowly filtering their way in through the gates during this earlier slot, but the quartet’s tight and speedy punk provides an instant spark for all newcomers. From the head-bopping of Plastic Rebel to the party-starting USA and New Shapes, the band bring the good vibes early on – not to mention a spot of science, too. “Are you ready to hear the fastest song we’ve got?” Bobby asks. “Prepare your feet to be lifted from the ground as we deliver to you the secret of the universe.” Thanks, chaps – we’re over the moon for you.

Day two of NOS Alive has more of a focus on electronic music, but while French duo Justice and Italian-American producer Anyma unleash their beats over at the main Palco NOS Stage, in the early hours St. Vincent is on dazzling form with her unique brand of visceral art rock. “Thank you for being here,” the musician – real name Annie Clark – enthuses from her moody set-up on the Palco Heineken Stage. “I think it’s 1:20 in the morning… I hope you have all of the drugs to keep you up, and that some you’ll share with me!” Opening with Reckless and standing perfectly still while illuminated by lights, it’s an apt mood from the get-go, before Fear The Future and Broken Man see her drop to the ground while shredding. Between songs she charmingly makes the effort to speak Portuguese, and pays a visit down to fans at the barrier during Dilettante. As expected, then: St. Vincent is always worth staying up for.

In no time at all it’s the third and final day of NOS Alive, and as well as some long-awaited proper sun, the riffs have really arrived. Appropriately, Boston rock gang Dead Poet Society are first on the agenda. “I wanna see a fucking pit – open that shit up!” yells frontman Jack Underkofler, dressed in a Sabbath shirt and channelling the spirit of this year’s Saturday headliners Muse and Nine Inch Nails. While Glastonbury favourite CMAT is performing on the Palco NOS Stage in the glorious heat, DPS pack out the Palco Heineken Stage and evidently win over hundreds of onlookers via undeniable anthems like .CoDA. and Running In Circles. “Make some noise if you’ve not seen Dead Poet Society Before,” Jack demands. “Make some noise if you’re gonna come and see us again!” Greeted by a giant scream of approval, the happily singer grins, “Sick.” We’ll see you there.

Speaking of recent Glasto triumphs, next up are Amyl And The Sniffers. Before a note is even played the lovable Amy Taylor is grinning and poking her tongue out, and an opening slew of Security, Doing In Me Head and Do It Do It immediately makes this set a life-affirming NOS Alive 2025 highlight. It’s a feeling that clearly extends to the band, too, as drummer Bryce Wilson celebrates his birthday with a sing-along. The Aussie punk heroes aren’t all just about having a laugh, though, as Amy reflects on the “fucked-up shit” that’s going on in the world. “It’s so crazy to be alive right now, because there’s such a big handful of problems…” she ponders before Guided By Angels, stressing that she doesn’t have the answers. Maybe not, but an hour of Amyl goes a long way in lifting the spirits.

On the more slick and machine-like end of the spectrum, Muse have been recruited as a fairly last-minute replacement for original headliners Kings Of Leon. Judging by the size of the crowd – not to mention the quantity of band merch worn around the site today – it’s a move that’s worked wonders. The trio waste no time in showing why they’re the men for the job, kicking off with new single Unravelling before firing on all cylinders with the likes of Hysteria, Stockholm Syndrome, a pyro-filled Thought Contagion and Plug In Baby. They compellingly mix the sci-fi with their more human side, delivering futuristic graphics but also touchingly paying tribute to late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva – two native football players who recently lost their lives in a tragic car accident – with bassist Chris Wolstenholme wearing a Portuguese national shirt with Diogo J. and the number 21 on the back, to an immensely appreciative and emotional reception. It all comes to a triumphant head with Starlight and a spectacular fireworks display, and the feeling that Muse are still one of the most reliable festival headliners of recent times.

For whatever unjust reason, it seems like NOS Alive closers Nine Inch Nails don’t (yet) have that status. Having never topped the bill at Download, tonight’s final date on the European leg of their phenomenal Peel It Back World Tour makes the case that the industrial giants need to take over Donington. Immediately. Though they draw a slightly smaller crowd than their predecessors, Trent Reznor and the gang are on electrifying form from the get-go, with an opening run of a crushingly heavy Somewhat Damaged, Wish, Mr. Self Destruct and March Of The Pigs. “Sometimes it feels like you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, and you’re in the right place,” considers the frontman early on. “I look out and I see you out here and I see the moon up there, and it feels like I’m right where I fucking should be right now. Thank you.”

Really, the pleasure is all ours. Bringing along a festival variation of their Peel It Back show with their own camera man onstage revealing exhilarating up-close looks at the band – Atticus Ross plus longtime touring members Robin Finck, “hometown boy” Alessandro Cortini and an unstoppable Ilan Rubin – in their element, this is a total masterclass. The entire crowd gets their phones out for Closer, while Copy Of A and The Perfect Drug offer the perfect soundtrack to these final festival hours. “One by one, I think we’re all relocating here, if you’ll have us,” announces Trent as this distinctly NIN set draws to a close. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but things are kind of fucked-up back in the USA these days…” Unveiling a winning closing trio of The Hand That Feeds, Head Like A Hole and Hurt, with a full moon beautifully glistening in the Lisbon sky up above, it’s safe to Nine Inch Nails will be welcomed back as kings absolutely any time. Fingers crossed that’s as soon as can be…

Read this next:

• Amyl And The Sniffers: “This music is about my whole life, and where it will take me. I’m still figuring it all the fuck out”
• St. Vincent: The 10 songs that changed my life
• The Downward Spiral: The darkness and despair behind Nine Inch Nails’ masterpiece