Manchester and Salford are home to some amazing venues, and on Thursday night, I finally got to experience The White Hotel in all its splendour. There is no venue quite like it, and there never ever will be. To see a band, I’ve waited SO long to see in such a venue meant the world. And it’s up there as being one of my favourite gigs of 2026.
If you’ve seen Ditz live, you will know that you will experience something thrilling and slightly terrifying. Having Cal boot me slightly at the back of the head whilst crowd surfing is one of the best things to have happened at a show for me in a while, and honestly if they went a bit harder- I’d have probably taken Friday off work! Cal climbs around the venue, goes into the crowd and stalks the stage whilst pouring their heart and guts out, and it’s performances like this that you make you become ever so obsessed with a band. I’ve waited a long time to see Ditz live, and whilst I knew it was going to be unlike anything I’d ever seen or felt before- I just didn’t realise how much of an impact the show would have on me,
The setlist had the classics and some new ones thrown in, which I hope means 2027 sees us being gifted some beautiful new music but we cannot forget the hits like Four and Taxi Man. These songs live are unlike anything else, and if I wasn’t in awe of what I was witnessing on stage I’d have sung my heart out. I feel bad for those who have yet to see Ditz live because it’s an experience that goes beyond anything I can put into words. Everyone on stage is phenomenal at what they do, and if you didn’t leave feeling slightly changed- were you even there?! I think it will go down as one of those shows that people will talk about in years and years to come. Not just because of how iconic the venue is, but because of what you experience at a Ditz show.
I wish I had seen Ditz previous times when I had the chance, but I have a feeling nothing can ever compare to the show at The White Hotel. Their first and last time playing here felt truly special and the venue felt right for them. The setlist was beyond perfect but if it was to be improved, I’d have had them play every single song and just spent the whole night being totally immersed in their sound, presence, and way of creating something to terrifying yet comforting.
For one of the songs, Cal climbs up near where I think the sound desk is and looks at home as we all gaze up at them. They then hang off some part of the ceiling near the end. All of this is done barefoot which is part being brave and part being silly! Acrobatics aside, Ditz are a band that know their sound and put it across in a way that HAS to be seen live. This may be the last time we see them at this venue (and first!) but it’s definitely not the last time I see them. They’re the kind of band you’d want to see every night. It’s the way Sam’s drumming keeps them in line, Jack and Anton add the tensity of the sound and this is beautifully merged with Caleb on the bass who adds to that menacing sound. Add Cal’s vocals on top of this, and you truly have one of the best bands around. Not just on record- but live. Their sound makes me feel like I’m in the midst of a serial killer horror film; on the edge of something awful about to happen but it all kicks in, and you feel this calmness. Anxious but calm. That’s what you get from their shows, and their records. I couldn’t love this band more if I tried.
Hearing songs like I Am Kate Moss and No Thanks, I’m Full were unreal and the new songs sounded heavenly too. They’re one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live, simple as that!
