Live Review: The Motocultor Across Europe Tour 2026 – Feat. Nanowar of Steel and Uuhai at The Underworld, London (15/01/26)

What better way is there to spend a wet and cold January night then in the company of Nanowar of Steel? How about spending a wet and cold January night in the company of Nanowar of Steel and Uuhai? Because that is what those who attended the London date of the Motocultor Across Europe Tour 2026 got to do.

An extensive European tour, the UK had three dates on it, and the last was in London (following Southampton and Grimsby – yeah, I don’t get it either) at The Underworld. A hell of a venue to fit this many bands and performers in, but just like a rush hour tube, it’s all about squeezing in.

Uuhai, the Mongolian folk-rock/metal band, certainly manage it and it’s heartening to see that a lot of people in the venue are here for their show. What might have started as intrigue for some definitely turned into fascination as the group delivered a unique, entertaining, and excitable set that drew heavily from their (recently released) debut album, Human Herds.

It’s a very good album, and it’s awesome that the nuance of their sound isn’t lost in the live environment. In fact, I’d argue that they’re a better live experience then a record experience with plenty of tracks having a bit more oomph and their on-stage antics being downright endearing. I like Uuhai, but I loved this show, and it’s not impossible to believe that in years to come, they might be headlining a venue like this (if not bigger).

Whereas Nanowar of Steel really should be playing bigger shows in this country, on par with what they do in Europe, but they do seem to struggle to get traction here. Which is crazy because, damn it, this band isn’t just silly and fun, they have a ton of bangers too.

Looking like they ran through a costume shop in the dark and just grabbed whatever they could feel, their arrival of stage comes with incredible pomp. It turned out that The Underworld was filled with hardcore Nanowar of Steel fans and the band bask in it. Can you blame them? When you have a crowd this willing to sing along to just about everything, why not let them!?

It’s so easy too as well, because this is a set filled with some of the band’s most infectious efforts. Tooth Fairy, Stormwarrior of the Storm, Disco Metal, Ironmonger (The Copier of the Seven Keys), Il cacciatore della notte (barn owl included), and even some new tracks from The Genghis Khan EP to End All Genghis Khan Eps. Namely Feet & Greet and Genghis Khan (The Genghis Khan Song to End All Genghis Khan Songs).

Remember kids, Nanowar of Steel aren’t a band to take seriously. How could you when, if you were here, you witnessed an encore that included building an IKEA table? A table, once finished, that was carried aloft around the room like some inanimate stage diver. This, after we had all dropped to our knees to praise Odin. It was, of course, Valhalleluja and it is always epic.

However, my personal highlights included a roaring version of Norwegian Reggaeton that just hit so right (the band were tight as f**k here) and the stomping shout along that was Pasadena 1994. I had a blast, but considering it was Nanowar of Steel lighting the fuse, that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.