On Wednesday night in Madrid, at what felt like a reckoning rather than just a concert organized by Route Resurrection, Refused rewrote the meaning of live in the heartbeat of the city. From the opening notes to the final roar, the experience was all-in — raw, electrifying, defiant.
The Opening Acts
The evening began with Ella La Rabia, a young and fiery band from the Canary Islands. Their set started right on time at 18:35, and although the venue was still a bit empty, their energy filled the space like a storm breaking over the Atlantic. They blend punk urgency with touches of Canarian music — something in their melodies instantly transported me back to the carnavales and local fiestas I used to experience while living on Gran Canaria. There’s a sun-drenched playfulness in their chaos, a sense that rebellion can also dance. By the end of their set, around 19:15, the few people inside looked entertained and even started dancing a bit.
Next came Crim, the band from Tarragona that has long been carrying the torch for melodic street punk sung in Catalan. They hit the stage at 19:30, bringing a tight and confident sound — raspy vocals and melodic choruses, with every member of the band adding their voice to the mix. Midway through their set, an unexpected moment caught my attention: Dennis Lyxzén, the singer of Refused, appeared at the side of the stage, watching a couple of songs with clear curiosity — and, it seemed, real appreciation. The band played until 20:30, leaving the crowd warmed up, loud, and ready for what was coming.
Refused
By 21:00, the lights dimmed and the room tensed with anticipation. When Dennis finally stepped forward, there was no slow build-up — just a lightning strike of sound and conviction. The first chords hit like a manifesto.
What struck me the most was Dennis Lyxzén’s unbelievable energy on stage. He didn’t stop moving for a single second — jumping, dancing, spinning, turning every inch of the stage into his playground. The vitality he radiated was absolutely contagious. He was not just a frontman; he was “The Man with the Moves.” A true entertainer in the purest sense of the word — someone who channels the music through his entire body until it becomes impossible not to move with him.
Between songs, Dennis stopped several times to speak — and his words resonated deeply. They weren’t rehearsed speeches or empty slogans, but reflections that felt honest, raw, and painfully real. At one point he said, “We are in a world more than fucked up at this moment,” and you could feel the weight of that truth hanging in the air. He spoke about how everyone is struggling right now, how so many people are facing mental health issues — himself included. He reminded us that we are not alone, urging us not to stay silent, to talk, to reach out, and to care for those around us.
I shared every single one of his words, and I think many others in the room did too. I am sure that some people went home that night with his message still echoing in their minds.
Musically, the show was a storm — relentless, sharp, and passionate. Every note hit with purpose and intensity; the band never lost momentum for even a second. It was an assault of energy, precision, and conviction that didn’t allow the audience to rest — and no one wanted to.
And then came the encore — the final spark of a fire that refuses to die. Even though this tour marks Refused’s farewell, and this show was their last ever performance in Spain, it didn’t feel like an ending. It felt like a legacy being passed on. The band may be stepping off the stage, but they will never truly disappear. Refused will keep on living — in people’s hearts, in their voices, and in the eternal echo of rebellion they inspired.
The setlist for Refused’s final show in Spain at La Riviera, Madrid, on October 29th, 2025, was a powerful statement from start to finish. The night opened with “Poetry Written in Gasoline”, setting the tone for an explosive performance that continued with “The Shape of Punk to Come”, “The Refused Party Program”, and “Rather Be Dead.” The energy only intensified through “REV001,” “Liberation Frequency,” “Summer Holidays,” and “The Deadly Rhythm,” before spiraling into chaos with “Circle Pit” and “Everlasting.” The set carried a furious emotional weight with “The Economy of Death,” “Refused Are Fucking Dead,” and “Worms of the Senses,” followed by the anthemic “Elektra,” “New Noise,” and “Tannhäuser.” They closed the night — and their chapter in mainland Europe — with “Pump the Brakes” and “Coup D’état.” It was not just the last show in Madrid, but also the last show in Spain and mainland Europe, marking a farewell that will echo in the hearts of everyone who witnessed it.
Thank you, Refused.
We will remember you.
