Photo Credit: Luke Williams

Following their reunion announcement on Christmas Eve last year, MALLORY KNOX returned to the live stage at the annual Slam Dunk Festivals back in May, this time in their original form as a five-piece with vocalist Mikey Chapman re-joining the line-up. During their first shows back in 5 years, it was revealed they would be continuing to perform together later in the year, celebrating 10 years of their sophomore release, ‘Asymmetry‘, with a six-date UK tour, and a return to Manchester becoming one of the first to sell out.

Opening the night was some new blood, in the form of Cambridge’s HRTLSS. It was revealed on the night that this was only their second live show together, but based off of their tight performance, this could have quite easily passed off a standard night for the band. Their craft certainly warrants the big stages, displaying calming vocals backed up with a technical riffs and chest pounding drums, MK‘s guitarist James Gillett showcased his experience effortlessly as he played his first of two sets on the night. The room began to fill up after each song was played, the final track ‘Fear of You‘ gained the biggest cheer of their set.

Equally as thrilling live, but a lot more seasoned in the game, CALL ME AMOUR made their entrance with, a heavier approach, mixing energetic electronic elements to enhance the atmosphere in the room. Thriving on crowd participation, the band ensured that everybody was having a good time, vocalist Harry Radford making his way across the barrier to get up close and personal with the Manchester crowd. HRTLSS had James, but CALL ME AMOUR went up a level and brought out good friend Mikey Chapman to join in for ‘Good Day‘.

It has been nine years since their last performance at this exact venue, but it was finally time for the eagerly anticipated return of MALLORY KNOX. As two MK logo’s stood either side by side on the stage, the band made their grand entrance to a huge roar from the Manchester crowd, as each member appeared, the screams continued to get louder, until finally all five members took their positions, ready to take their fans through a journey back in time. Kicking the show off with a fan favourite, ‘Ghost in the Mirror‘, this was the perfect opener as it only encouraged the whole room to sing and dance along. Songs from ‘Asymmetry’ soon continued to follow, ‘Getaway‘ and ‘Dying to Survive‘ kept the celebrations in mind, but it was the throwback of ‘Beggars‘ that truly showcased the OG fans love for their older material.

The outstanding ‘Sugar‘ kept the Manchester crowd entertained, whilst memories of their decade old album resumed, ‘When Are We Waking Up?‘ and ‘Heart & Desire‘ racked up the track list plays. Going back in time once again, ‘Oceans‘ was met with much more energy in the centre of the room, and ‘Death Rattle‘ heightened that same intensity even more. Shortly after ‘Shout at the Moon‘, MK concluded the first portion of their set list with ‘Dare You‘, which then saw the band retire to the wings to build up the anticipation of an encore.

The band quickly returned to finish the show, only three more songs remained. Fulfilling the wishes of the crowd, ‘Better Off Without You‘ was the only song from 2017’s ‘Wired‘ to feature on the night, while ‘She Took Him to the Lake‘ concluded the ‘Asymmetry‘. In true MALLORY KNOX fashion, the incredible ‘Lighthouse‘ served as the night’s grand finale. The song still has as much flair live as it does on the recorded version, and despite their 5-year hiatus, the overall show was just like they had never left.