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Opening the night were Freight, who launched into their upbeat tune ‘Me’, driven by whirring guitars and powerful vocals. ‘Kaleidoscope’, the title track from their debut EP, proved to be a standout moment of the band’s performance. Drums paved the way, fuelling the rowdy crowd, and this was only the beginning. Bathed in purple light, ‘Remedy’ saw frontman Luka Gunes ask, “Who’s in love, Manchester?” before dedicating the track to a couple in the audience. Their set was heading towards a finish with one final song: ‘The Only Thing I Know’, and fans went wild with singing the lyrics at the top of their lungs and even opening up mosh pits.
Cherryholt were up next, continuing the local talent on display. They opened with their newly-released single, ‘The Bullet’, a track fans have been anticipating for months. The band shone under the yellow lights, the crowd clapping in time with the drum. The set briefly slowed for ‘Bailey’, with a prominent keyboard from Dan Goldspink and Reuben Baskerville’s vocals taking centre stage, before picking up the pace again with ‘Radio Silence’. The band also debuted a song written five days earlier, which was met with enthusiastic reactions. Lastly, of course, was their fan-favourite ‘Irresistible’, where people got on their shoulders, screaming every single lyric.
Spencer walked out to a cacophony of applause at his biggest ever headline show, in his hometown of Manchester. ‘Love and Let Go’ caused the crowd to immediately erupt. “Are we ready, Manchester!” Spencer called out to the crowd, and ‘One Step Forward’ got the floor shaking and the whole venue jumping. Guitarist Annabelle Mather’s harmonies added depth as the energy continued to surge. ‘Do What I Wanna’ saw Alex own the stage and command the crowd with confidence. ‘Are you ready for a party tonight?’ he shouted, and the crowd answered emphatically.
The tone switched when ‘Masks’ was introduced, which Spencer described as his most vulnerable track. "This is the first time I’ve properly spoken about how I feel", he told the crowd, "this next song is about mental health and we humans don't talk enough about how we feel". This track created an intimate moment with Spencer and the audience, and phone lights filled the venue, creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.
‘Farewell to Forever’ was released just a day before the show, and the crowd did not disappoint. "This is the best night of my life", Spencer gushes before diving into the track, the crowd clapping to the tempo of the drum increasing. A fan held up a sign asking to play ‘Bucket List’ on guitar with Alex, adding another memorable touch, and the crowd was electric.
A tribute to Manchester- ‘Not Nineteen Forever’ by Courteeners began to play, and Freight’s frontman Luka returned to the stage to join Alex for the cover. What better place to cover the track, and with Spencer turning 19 this month, too.
Spencer and the band closed with ‘One Way Ticket’, sending the atmosphere to a new high. He even joined the mosh pit himself, and there wasn’t a person standing still in the venue. It was the perfect end to an energetic evening- one bursting with connection, energy, and emotion.
Micha Thompson
@x.micharose.x
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