Cruz Beckham and The Breakers live in Manchester – a torch passed from father to son?

  1. Home
  2. Art & Culture
Cruz Beckham and the Breakers Manchester gig review Deaf Institute

Cruz Beckham graced the stage of The Deaf Institute in Manchester last night. Whether it’s your first time through the doors or you’ve been going for years, the venue carries an unmistakable energy and always will.

With a feel and set in its Victorian past, unmistakable Mancunian patina, the building leaves a mark on you – and on every grassroots artist who plays there.

The intimate upstairs room has long been a springboard for acts who go on to much bigger stages. History certainly likes to repeat itself, and perhaps this was a small sign of things to come for the youngest son of David and Victoria Beckham.

With his dad watching from the wings – fittingly in a number seven shirt synonymous with his years at Man United – Cruz stepped onto the stage with quiet confidence. For the next hour, he set his sights firmly on the crowd, eager to show exactly who he is as an artist beyond the famous surname.

Backed by a tight band that seemed to fit together like a glove, the set leaned into guitar-driven indie with an easy chemistry between players.

There were moments where the group locked into a groove, so naturally, it felt less like a new project and more like a band that had been touring together for years.

Cruz and co’s audience reflected the curiosity surrounding the night; inside the packed room was an eclectic mix of indie fans, university students, couples of all ages and a fair share of Beckham devotees – all keen to see whether the hype surrounding the young performer translated on stage.

The 21-year-old ran through his most popular (albeit limited number of) tracks thus far, including ‘Lick the Toad’, ‘Optics’, and ‘For Your Love’, each of which was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

His songs showed off a good deal of melodic indie sensibility, with jangling guitars and hooks that landed well in the intimate setting of the venue.

While Cruz held the stage, there were emotional moments playing out just above him. Throughout the set, David Beckham could be spotted proudly filming and what appeared to be FaceTiming other family members to share the moment in real time. We’re not sure Brooklyn’s picking up at the minute…

Toward the end of the night, visibly moved, the former footballer appeared to wipe away a tear — a quiet but powerful reminder that beyond the celebrity and headlines, this was still a father watching his son manifest his own destiny.

For Cruz Beckham, the night wasn’t about stadium lights or global headlines: it was about proving himself in a room that has hosted literally countless emerging artists before him. If the energy inside Deaf Institute was anything to go by, this may well be one of those early chapters people look back on later.

Did any of you head to the venue as a fan or purely out of curiosity – and if so, what did you make of Cruz Beckham’s first proper Manc gig?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/David Beckham (via Instagram)

Exit mobile version