Photo Credit: Halle Irvine
Words: Sophie Thompson
BBC Radio 6 DJ Chris Hawkins brought his Awesome Friends Music Night to The Deaf Institute in Manchester, showcasing a wave of inspiring young indie talent.
The North kicked off the night and wasted no time in igniting the room with their infectious punk rock energy. The alternate indie foursome from Leeds delivered punk inspired rowdy guitar riffs and ironic lyricism. They instantly got the crowd moving to their electric and high energy sound. The North delighted fans to their hits like ‘Soundtrack of Your Soul‘ and ‘Blood Orange‘ which were met with a roaring response, alongside a taste of what’s to come for the Leeds stars. They gave a debut performance of ‘Daydream Riot‘ a song which is infused with loud distorted guitars and impressive commanding vocals. The North gave spectacular opening performance which earnt them a choir of cheers and applause from the Manchester crowd.
Cherryholt followed bringing a melodic and powerful set which added depth and emotion to the night. The young 5-piece indie rock band from Lincolnshire gave a thunderous performance packed with explosive guitars and pulsating drumbeats. Having already had a taste of success with their anthemic indie hit ‘Irresistible‘ there is no doubt that Cherryholt are ones to watch in 2026. The band showcased a young band who are growing with confidence after every performance they give.
The atmosphere inside the Deaf institute reached its peak when Chris Hawkins walked onto stage to welcome the nights headliners to the stage, Florentenes. The young Manchester band, who are barely 18, entered with a sense of undeniable swagger and intent. Frontman William Smith showcased his flawless vocals as they began their punchy set with ‘The News”. The young lads gave a level of confidence and sophistication which is far beyond their teen years. The crowd was nothing but captivated by their euphoric presence on stage.
Smith held the Manchester crowd at the palm of his hand the entire night holding the attention of the room with ease. Florentenes sound was defined by distorted, electrifying guitar riffs and sharp poignant lyrics. This gave them a style similar to fellow indie newcomer Seb Lowe and a vocal style reminiscent to that of indie superstar Jake Bugg.
Despite technical difficulties with lead guitarist Luke Holdings earpiece, the band remained in perfect harmony with each other for the entire set, maintaining cohesion and momentum. Chaos erupted during their energetic hit ‘Gone‘ as pounding riffs surged through the venue and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Florentenes also gave a taste of their future for 2026 as they performed some unreleased hits like ‘Curtain Call‘, ‘War Horse‘ and ‘Madeline‘. These tracks were met with just as much excitement from the crowd as the established fan favourites.
Florentenes have created a sound which is uniquely theirs whilst being inspired by the guitar driven sounds of Arctic Monkeys which they grew up with.
This young group of musicians from Bolton proved tonight that they are impossible to overlook despite their young age. They closed the night with the fan favourites ‘The Gun’ and ‘Fuel for the Flame‘, sending the audience into one final surge of energy before bringing an unforgettable night of music to a close.
Taped Magazine 