Photo Credit: Katie Thorp / Words: Sophie Thompson
Well into their Autumn 2026 tour, Midlands four-piece Overpass returned to Manchester for one of their biggest headline shows to date at the O2 Ritz. Following the release of their debut album “Elsewhere, Always” earlier this year the rising indie rock outfit have continued to build momentum, progressing from newcomers to selling out major venues and performing to crowds of thousands.
Kicking off the evening were Nico and Lime and rising stars Cherryholt, both delivering sets that steadily built anticipation for the headliners. Embracing the Halloween spirit, Cherryholt took to the stage dressed as Harry Potter characters, adding a playful touch to an already lively atmosphere. Having caught Cherryholt play countless times over the past year, it’s been so rewarding to watch their progression with each performance bringing a new level of confidence and energy.
Anticipation inside the O2 Ritz continued to build, as the Birmingham stars stepped out onto the stage. They were welcomed by an energetic Manchester crowd all dressed up in all sorts of fancy dress; Overpass weren’t going to miss out on the Halloween spirit either, taking to the stage dressed as Star Wars characters. With their recent debut album providing the soundtrack for most of the night, their set allowed fans to hear the record bought to life alongside some older tracks which established Overpass’ growing reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting bands of 2026.
From the moment Overpass stepped on stage they wasted no time in getting the crowd involved. Opening with “Union Station” the lead single for their recent album they delivered confident, guitar driven indie rock that has seen them become one of the UK’s most exciting rising acts. With the atmosphere in full swing, it was clear that Manchester had turned out in full force to welcome them back.
Moving swiftly into “Sandman” and “I Will” they effortlessly maintained the momentum with a run of tracks that showcased the musical quality of their debut album. This was followed by “Slow” and “Like No Other” before “Forever You” continued to highlight the band’s ability to balance infectious indie rock hooks with more melodic moments. With the majority of the setlist being made up of “Elsewhere, Always” the evening felt like a celebration of the record they have been working on since they formed in 2020, whilst still leaving room for older favourites.
What stood out the most was undoubtedly the bands captivating stage presence which immersed the crowd in with their infectious confidence and energy. They delivered what was arguably one of the best indie rock mashups of all time with the perfect combination of Harry Styles’ American Girls and Underworld’s “Born Slippy”. The mashup offered something a little different to the bands usual indie rock sound bringing a more electronic edge to the set whilst putting their own spin on the two recognisable tracks.
Their “American Girls” cover originally gained attention after they performed it for BBC Radio 1, the Birmingham four-piece demonstrated a willingness to experiment beyond their own style creating a refreshing change of pace and a moment which added dimension to an already varied set.
Overpass returned to their own material with ‘Be Good to Yourself”, keeping the energy levels high for the remainder of the night. The bands infectious melodies and guitar driven sound continued to fill the Ritz. There was a real sense of familiarity between the band and audience with fans singing along for the entire night, reinforcing just how quickly Overpass have built up a loyal following. Before the encore approached lead singer Max Newbold took a moment alone on stage to slow down the pace as he beautifully delivered an acoustic rendition of “Bonnie & Clyde Pt.2” leaving the crowd silenced in awe.
After briefly leaving the stage, Overpass returned for an encore giving the Manchester crowd one final opportunity to sing their hearts out. Launching straight into “Beautiful” before moving into “3AM” the band bought their unmistakable identity back to the forefront. Mosh pits erupted and drinks were thrown across the floor as their high energy sound reminded everyone exactly why fans fell in love with them. “Fall In Love” provided another standout, with the track gaining further popularity following the addition of fellow Midlands artist Nieve Ella. Bringing the night to a close with “Is This Real?”, Overpass maintained the momentum right through to the final moments leaving the crowd with little desire for the night to end.
Overpass’ return to Manchester was a testament to just how far they have come in the last 6 years. From the opening chorus to the explosive encore, the Birmingham quartet delivered a headline performance worthy of the biggest stages. Balancing infectious indie rock anthems with intimate stripped back moments. Their debut album “Elsewhere, Always” came to life live on the stage. With a fiercely loyal fanbase and an impressive catalogue of music. Overpass aren’t done yet as the “Elsewhere, Always” tour continues next Spring with bigger venues and bigger crowds.
