Tag Archives: Live Music 2026

NOSO @ Band On The Wall, Manchester. 19th February 2026.

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Nearly 3 years ago (March 2023) I saw NoSo play their first ever Manchester show at Yes. Last night, they played Band On The Wall and let me tell you, THAT was some experience.

It’s pretty obvious how much I adore NoSo’s music and the way they capture every emotion possible. What leaves me in awe even more so, is how Baek and his band just take the songs to the next level in the live setting. There is only one flaw to a NoSo show- they aren’t long enough. I know we’ve only got 2 records but play them on repeat a few times ha! But in all seriousness, it’s not just the beautiful tone to Baek’s voice, it’s the way they play guitar. I think I spent most of the set just watching them play the guitar and not taking everything fully in. Criminally underrated guitar player and certain songs definitely show you how wonderful they are. I could watch Baek play Sugar and I Feel You ALL day.

The set is a beautiful mix of songs from Stay Proud Of Me and When Are You Leaving? During the set I text my mum to tell her I was out, and I told her what show I was at and she replied with that she had just listened to Nara and loved it. NoSo is for everyone- especially the mums! It was really beautiful to see such a lovely mix of people in the crowd, and in front of me were a (I think a couple) and one of them just danced all the way through and was having the time of their life. That’s what it’s about, and when you can see how much it means to other people and you can see it means the world to them like it means the world to you- you kind of have some hope that maybe it will all be okay.

Baek has a gentle and shy presence on stage and truly lets the music do all the talking. The way Baek and their band play their hearts out and, in a way, mend yours, is just a joy to watch. If I could be at a NoSo show every night I’d be happy and I’d probably be super calm too! There are many highlights of the set but for me it was Suburbia and Let It Die. Let It Die is a sheer euphoric moment from the new record, and I just knew it’d be something really special live. When you see certain songs live, it can change how you feel about them and it just make me love the song a hell of a lot more. I honestly thought I was going to cry at some point during the show just because of what Baek’s music means to me and how their music feels like home, but I was all okay. Or maybe it’s because the one song that would break me wasn’t played! Either way, it was just a beautiful show and to see how loved NoSo is in the UK gives me some hope that we may get more shows and not have to wait 3 more years! But hey, it was absolutely worth the wait, and I strongly advise that if you are ever able to get to their shows- you go. Grab that opportunity and experience something so ethereal and gentle.

For the encore we very nearly got a cover of Hot To Go but settled on Who Made You This Sweet? Lyrically the song will rip your heart out, but when you see it live, you just appreciate the beauty within in. I first found Baek’s music in late 2021 and round about then I was working out stuff and realised I was Non-Binary. It was rough, it was lonely and it was something I mentally had to go through alone. I was using music as a way to navigate my way through, and NoSo’s music felt like someone was holding my hand through it. When you get to see the songs live that were your crutch, it just means a hell of a lot more doesn’t it? You find your home wherever you can, wherever you want and in your own time.

There are certain shows you go to where you feel like you could stay in that moment forever and I absolutely got that last night. I just utterly love NoSo’s music and experiencing it live is something that goes beyond the words I’ve written or could ever write. My words do not do it justice at all but know that once you go to a NoSo show, your heart and soul will never be the same again.

WAVVES @ YES, Manchester. 17th February 2026

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Last week over 20 years of waiting, I finally saw Deftones and last night after waiting since 2009 to see them live, I FINALLY saw Wavves. I had tickets for a show in 2015 (I think) but couldn’t make it in the end, I was beyond upset so after YEARS of waiting, it finally happened. Was it worth the wait? It absolutely was. Did I leave the gig unable to hear anything? Again, yes!

Yesterday I wrote about the support act WHTVRMNS, and even though they only have 2 songs up online- I just knew that their live set would be something magical. I wasn’t wrong- they were perfect and it felt like they were playing the headline set at YES. In time (soon), they probably will to be honest because a band like that are destined for it. A gorgeous set which was a real joy to see. The way they play together on stage is a thing of beauty too because you can not only tell they love making music, but they totally adore each other too, and that’s part of why you cannot help but love the band.

Wavves hit the stage and part of me feels I’ve made a daft decision by standing SO close to the speakers- it’s a future me problem. The set was a strong mix of old and very new songs, and every single song was pretty much yelled back at the band. Pints were thrown, cigarettes and glasses (not the drinking kind) ended up on the stage. A bunch of crowd surfing too happened- all of which made this Tuesday night pretty damn special. Now if I’d ever seen Wavves live before, I’d have declared this as the best I’d ever seen them but sadly, I cannot declare that. I can, however, say that this was one of the most exciting shows I’ve ever been to. I knew it’d be rowdy and pints would be thrown in the crowd, but you know what? People weren’t arseholes about it. Everyone here bloody loved the band and was there for THEM and to not be total idiots. I’ve seen it happen a lot, but thankfully people were pretty cool last night.

For me, it was always going to be Green Eyes that would own my heart BUT the band played So Bored which was one of the first ever songs I heard by Wavves and it’s the song that got me hooked. Of course, King Of The Beach got one of the biggest reactions of the night but even new songs like Bozo and Goner were screamed back. Afraid Of Heights was right up there as one of my highlights for sure- lyrically this song has always owned a piece of me, and to see it live was such a great experience. Post Acid was a riot too- and everyone went nuts to this. It’s one of the best Wavves songs but seeing it live makes it mean so much more. Fucking incredible. Demon To Lean On claimed and owned my heart too. Man, it was such a joyful night. I’d love to be at a Wavves show every night. I mean, my body may hate me for it but the energy on and off stage was just beautiful. Definitely one of my favourite shows of any band I’ve seen in Manchester.

Proper Mancunian (or just delightful Northern humour) shone through when Alex was doing soundcheck, a few yelled to him that his fly was undone on his jeans which led to chants of “take it off!” Nathan also commented during the set that the zipper had been causing issues. Fly up or down, Alex is one of the loudest guitarists I’ve heard and is probably responsible for me not being able to fully hear today. Always worth it.

Nathan, Stevie, Ross, and Alex play like a bunch of kids in school who are best friends and living out their dream- and that’s why they are a joy to watch and listen to. For years and years Wavves have been a comfort band for me. There have been shitty times where I’ve used music as a crutch and their music has made it all a little better. Getting to see the songs that got you out of a rut live is always worth it. Especially when you’re stood right by the speaker and can’t hear well the next day. That’s always the sign of a good night! I really hope they don’t leave it so long for the next tour because THAT was some bloody show!