Photo Credit: Lydia Blackburn
Words: Mia-Jo Vickers
A night full of nostalgia and heartfelt tributes, Cast, Albert Hall, Manchester.
30 years since the release of their debut album, ‘All Change‘, Cast returned to Manchester and a sold-out Albert Hall to revive the 90s. 2025 has been huge for the band: signing with Manchester indie label Scuff of the Neck, then opening for Oasis on their reunion tour and winning over a whole new generation. Proof that their songs are timeless.
Long before the doors opened, the queue buzzed with anticipation and fond memories as it snaked around the building. Once inside the Albert Hall, fans (with the classic Noel Gallagher haircut, Adidas and polo shirts) lined up at the bar as speakers banged out a classic indie pre-show playlist.
Opening band Pastel managed to build up the atmosphere and set the mood for the night. Lead singer Jack Yates, with a bit of classic Manc wit, announced, “We’re going over to the merch stand coz we haven’t eaten in four days, we’re skint!”. Their set included a plethora of 90s-esque tunes and a tribute to Manchester’s own Mani, who had passed away just a couple of days before. They chose to dedicate their whole set to the Manchester icon, stating, ”If there’s no Mani, there’s no Stone Roses and if there’s no Stone Roses, we’re not standing here”.
Finally, it was time for the main event, Cast. They walked out on stage to a roar of cheers from a sold-out Albert Hall. I knew it was a privilege to see them play in such an iconic Manchester Venue.
They opened their set with ‘Follow Me Down’, instantly captivating the audience. John Power then announced they were going to perform the entirety of their debut album. The crowd were suddenly blessed with the promise of a night full of nostalgia for those who had experienced the ‘All Change‘ album 30 years back and younger people were given the chance to experience songs they had grown up with, live. Just a few songs in, the crowd was fully involved. ‘Sandstorm‘ – third on the setlist – was the moment everything exploded. The entire hall yelled the lyrics as one, completely connected to the band. Down at the front, one guy was living his absolute best life: a circle opened up around him as he danced wildly and screamed every word to Cast’s most influential songs. He was reliving the 90s right there, not caring what anyone thought – pure joy and confidence that only a truly great band can unleash. On stage, Cast kept it beautifully simple: no flashy lights or visuals, just a backdrop with the band’s name and logo. They didn’t need anything else. Their instruments and that unmistakable sound were more than enough to captivate this sell-out audience.
They powered through the rest of All Change effortlessly, every song flowing like it was second nature. ‘Tell It Like It Is‘, ‘Fine Time‘ and ‘Back of My Mind‘ got massive reactions; the louder the crowd sang, the harder the band played. The energy bouncing between stage and floor was electric – total harmony all night. Then, like Pastel earlier, they paused to remember Mani’s passing. John Power said he’d “lost a good friend” and dedicated the emotive single ‘Walkaway‘ to him. The whole venue erupted into a spine-tingling “Mani, Mani, Mani” chant arms swaying, voices cracking. The room seemed to slow down for a few minutes, everyone reflecting on the loss of someone who played such a big part in Manchester’s musical history. Liam Tyson (lead guitarist) then began to play the intro to ‘History‘ blowing everyone away with his talent and precision with the unique opening riff. They closed the album with the hit ‘Alright‘. The anticipation had been building all night for that Brit-Pop classic and when it hit, the wooden floor shook as the crowd stamped their feet in unison – one united singalong.
Cast then chose to play an unreleased song ‘Free Love‘ from their upcoming album ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah‘ which will be released on the 30th January 2026. Finally, Cast closed out the night with a positive message by signing ‘Free Me‘, which ended with a breakdown of pure musical talent and synchronicity between Jay Lewis (Bass Guitar) and Keith O’Neill (Drummer). This was a night that brought Manchester together and took everyone back to a simpler time.
Taped Magazine 