The Alarm 2.0 at The Lexington, London 18/19th December 2025: A Band Reborn, A Community Reunited

There are gigs you enjoy, gigs you remember and then there are gigs that mean something. For many who packed into The Lexington across two sold-out nights, The Alarm 2.0 delivered the latter.

These shows weren’t just a return to the stage. They were a statement: that the songs, the spirit, and the community that defined The Alarm are still very much alive.

From the first note, it felt familiar

As the opening strains of Marching On rang out, a collective realisation spread through the room. For long-time fans, muscle memory kicked in. For newer fans, it was an introduction to something raw, passionate, and immediate.

Again and again, attendees described the same feeling, being transported back to the early days of the band.

“It was like going back to The Alarm’s prime.”“The rawness, the energy — this was the Alarm of the 80s.”

This wasn’t about nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It was about reconnecting with what made the band special in the first place: unity, emotion, and the sense that this was our gang.

A new voice, handled with respect and heart!

For many, the biggest question going into the shows was an emotional one: How would these songs feel without Mike Peters at the microphone?

The answer, judging by fan reaction, was both honest and moving.

Matt Peach’s performance was widely praised, not for imitation, but for understanding. Fans spoke of his deep respect for Mike’s legacy, combined with the confidence to bring his own voice and presence to the songs.

“Standing in big shoes — and absolutely owning it.”“He carried Mike’s spirit but was still his own man.”“The only man for the job.”

Several fans admitted arriving with trepidation, only to be won over within the first song. Many described moments of genuine emotion, happy tears, goosebumps, and the feeling that Mike’s presence was still there in every word and chord.

A band that looks like it’s loving every minute.

Across both nights, the joy on stage was impossible to miss.

Eddie Macdonald looked completely at home, clearly relishing being back among old friends and familiar songs. Smiley and James were praised for their power, precision, and energy, while the addition of keyboards gave the sound extra weight and fullness.

Fans repeatedly highlighted the camaraderie, the sense that this wasn’t a project or a tribute, but a band rediscovering its collective heartbeat.

“So tight — and the joy around the band is infectious.”“It felt like a proper band, not just a lineup.”

Setlists that respected the past and dug deeper

The Lexington shows didn’t rely solely on obvious hits. Fans loved hearing deeper cuts, rarely played tracks, and subtle reworkings of classics like The Stand and Strength. For many, this made the gigs feel special rather than predictable.

A few constructive suggestions emerged, requests for even more Alarm songs, fewer covers, and the occasional wish-list track, but these came from a place of enthusiasm, not criticism.

Not perfect and all the better for it!

Interestingly, one of the most telling compliments was that the shows weren’t flawless.

Fans spoke warmly about the rough edges, the human moments, the sheer fun of it all — because that’s exactly what classic Alarm gigs were about.

“It wasn’t always perfect — and that’s why it was brilliant.”“A barrel of fun, happiness, and energy.”

More than gigs a reunion

Beyond the music, the Lexington nights felt like a gathering of a far-flung family. Friends reunited, stories shared, voices raised together. For two nights in London, it felt like something had been re-ignited.

As one fan put it:

“This night will go down in Alarm history.”

The takeaway

If the question was whether The Alarm 2.0 could work, the fans at The Lexington answered it clearly.

These shows were not about replacing the past, but carrying it forward - with respect, passion, and belief. The songs live on. The spirit lives on. And judging by the reaction, this is only the beginning of the next chapter.

Long may it continue.