Imagine Dragons Close Out Loom Tour in Explosive Style at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Dave Broome
4 days ago
4 min read

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London - 26th July 2025

IMAGES DAVID BROOME / WORDS HARRY BROOME

Imagine Dragons Close Out Loom Tour in Explosive Style at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — Imagine Dragons

As a six-year-old, I came home from school one day after hearing “On Top of the World” during a morning assembly. Almost 11 years to the day, that was my introduction to Imagine Dragons—and it’s fair to say, it soon turned into a full-blown obsession. Their debut album, Night Visions, became the soundtrack to my childhood. I played it relentlessly on every car journey, belting out those massive, euphoric pop-rock anthems to an ever-patient and supportive family audience.

Fast-forward more than a decade, and here I am at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, now nearly 18, standing shoulder to shoulder with my dad on the final night of Imagine Dragons’ Loom World Tour. This isn’t just a concert—it’s the full-circle culmination of over a decade of musical memories.

Imagine Dragons, fronted by the charismatic and ever-energetic Dan Reynolds, formed in 2008. That debut album that first drew me in was a juggernaut packed with hits like “Radioactive,” “It’s Time,” and “Demons”—songs that didn’t just chart but embedded themselves into the collective pop consciousness. Since then, the band’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. With each subsequent album, they’ve expanded their sonic palette while continuing to deliver stadium-sized choruses, and tonight’s sold-out show—one of two at what is rapidly becoming London’s go-to stadium for live music—proves just how enduring their appeal is.

Opening proceedings tonight is indie-pop maverick Declan McKenna, who makes quite the entrance, kitted out head-to-toe in a retro Tottenham Hotspur kit—an instant crowd-pleaser. Best known for his politically charged breakout single “Brazil,” which he famously wrote for his GCSE music coursework at just 16, McKenna strikes the perfect balance between laid-back charisma and heartfelt performance. His mix of dreamy ballads and sunny festival-ready tracks gets the stadium buzzing in all the right ways—he’s a solid warm-up act that paves the way for what’s to come.

As the lights dim, a hush of anticipation sweeps across the packed stadium. The band make their entrance in spectacular fashion, ascending onto the stage on a rising platform. It’s a cinematic moment—equal parts rock concert and Broadway spectacle. Appropriately, they launch into “Fire in These Hills,” a brooding, atmospheric number from their latest album, Loom. It’s a slow-burn opener that crackles with energy, building up to their second song—2017’s monster hit “Thunder.” The name says it all. Confetti cannons erupt, pyrotechnics light up the sky, and suddenly, we’re in the thick of it.

What follows is a high-octane rollercoaster through their discography. The setlist spans the band’s six studio albums, each song met with euphoric cheers and mass singalongs. Highlights include the haunting ballad “Bad Liar,” the apocalyptic punch of “Radioactive,” the soulful anthem “Demons,” and the upbeat adrenaline rush of “Natural.” Every note feels bigger when sung by 60,000 voices under the open night sky.

Dan Reynolds—shirtless, sculpted, and exuding confidence—owns the stage. He’s a magnetic performer, bouncing across the stage runway with untamed energy. During “I Bet My Life,” he jumps off stage and joins the crowd, sharing the mic and the moment with fans in a display of genuine connection. Few frontmen can match his balance of raw vocal power, stage presence, and emotional vulnerability.

One of the most playful moments of the night comes during their 2024 beach-pop smash “Take Me To The Beach.” Giant inflatable beach balls are released into the crowd, and Reynolds, ever the showman, leans into the football setting, punting one high into the stands with a cheeky grin before launching into the chorus.

A beautiful contrast comes with “Next to Me,” stripped down to a tender acoustic rendition. The stadium is transformed into a sea of light as tens of thousands of phone flashlights sway in unison. It's one of those rare spine-tingling live moments where time seems to stand still.

As the set draws to a close, the band saves one of their most powerful weapons for last—Believer. It’s a triumphant finale and one that perfectly encapsulates the night’s themes of resilience, hope, and freedom. Earlier in the set, Reynolds told the crowd: “Schoolwork, politics—leave it all at the door. Now is the time to be free.” That sentiment resonates throughout the night, with the band frequently encouraging fans to pursue their dreams and embrace self-love.

This wasn’t just a concert—it was a reminder of why Imagine Dragons struck such a chord with me all those years ago. Their music has always been about more than just catchy hooks. It’s about empowerment, escapism, and emotional catharsis. And tonight, under the London stars, surrounded by thousands of kindred spirits, I felt all of that and more.

Here’s to many more nights like this.