Manchester is home to some incredible live music venues, and tonight's show only reinforced why it's one of the best cities in the UK for seeing bands. With THE HOWLING and THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT on the bill, there was already a real sense of excitement before a single note had been played.
Walking into the venue, it was immediately obvious that this wasn't going to be just another gig. The room was already packed, the atmosphere was electric, and there was still half an hour to go before the first band took to the stage. Fans were buzzing with anticipation, and you could feel that something special was about to happen.
THE HOWLING wasted no time making their mark, storming onto the stage with confidence and a commanding presence. From the opening moments, it was clear the crowd hadn't just come to wait for the headline act—they were fully invested in every second of the set. Crowd interaction was one of the band's biggest strengths, with excellent engagement that kept the audience involved from start to finish. It genuinely felt like they were capable of headlining a show of their own based on this performance alone. A standout visual was the drummer's striking makeup, which perfectly complemented the band's dark aesthetic and added another layer to the overall performance.
As the lights dimmed for the headline set, the reaction from the crowd was deafening. THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT hit the stage to huge cheers and never let the energy drop. Frontman Lee Jennings was magnetic throughout, effortlessly commanding the audience and creating a gig that those in attendance won't forget anytime soon.
One of the evening's most memorable moments came just before the encore, when Jennings took a moment to reflect on the band's journey. He spoke about how surreal it felt that they once imagined playing shows close to home, yet now found themselves thousands of miles away, performing to a sold-out crowd in Manchester. It was a heartfelt and genuine moment that clearly resonated with the audience and made the connection between band and fans even stronger.
The final stretch of the night was nothing short of spectacular. Closing out with Dark Thoughts before launching into the anthemic Suffocate City, the band delivered a finale that had the entire venue singing, jumping and giving everything they had. Watching the crowd completely lose themselves in those closing songs was the perfect ending to an unforgettable night of live music.
From start to finish, this was a showcase of everything that makes live music so special: incredible performances, genuine emotion and a crowd that matched the energy on stage every step of the way.
Photos and Review by Jack Norris.
