Audio

The K’s kick off Manchester’s BRITs Week celebrations early with jam-packed intimate gig

Words by Hollie Wells.

The Manc The Manc - 21st February 2026

If you were ‘Hoping Maybe’ to see The K’s at some point this year, this is your sign do it, as the rising indie band did not let the occasion of playing an intimate BRITs-backed gig get to them – they were buoyed by it.

Beloved city centre venue Gorilla was overflowing for The K’s last night, hosting an unreal small-cap set as part of Brits Week ‘26 for a very important cause: War Child.

It’s one of many performances being carried out on behalf of the charity all over the country, with multiple here in Manchester.

The sold-out venue held the masses with eagerness to scream their favourite lyrics in their broadest North West accents.

jamie from the k's
war child charity gigs mcr
the k's bass player
Credit: Lucy Wagstaffe Photography (supplied)

Perfectly teed up by fellow nearby band, Florentenes from Bolton, The K’s took to a familiar stage many years on from their debut, and instantly had the crowd ready and raring for an hour of pure tunes and some very, very sweaty brows.

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Earlestown’s finest certainly carried that Northern charm and energy throughout the whole night; their indie and almost nostalgic lyrical storytelling has you moshing one minute, whilst grasping your mate and ascending into live music heaven the next. There really aren’t many feelings like it.

Sobbing and swaying in the vast ocean of shoulders whilst screaming the lyrics to ‘Helen. Oh I’, I questioned how any compliment will ever compare to launching “thousand ships every time” from a kiss.

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The K’s were yearning before Wuthering Heights made it vogue (again).

Musically, the band were seamless and a well-oiled machine, and so were the audience as they
wholeheartedly echoed every lyric back at the lads and bounced it off the walls.

the k's gorilla gig brits week 2026
The K’s have come a long way since their first visit to Gorilla (Credit: Lucy Wagstaffe)

Every primary school assembly proudly led us to this moment, and it did not disappoint, displaying their increasingly seasoned and successful career, which I can only imagine is going to go from strength to strength this year.

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I don’t think we even one more fan could have squeezed one more passionate fan into Gorilla on the night; it was heaving with people and pride; the sweat dripping down the walls indicated things are big for these local lads, and we couldn’t be prouder.

They are another prime example of shining a deserving light on Northern artists! And having the 2026 BRIT Awards up here with us is a testament to that.

Viva La K’s.

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Featured Images — Lucy Wagstaffe (supplied via War Child UK)

Audio

Florence + The Machine at the Co-op Live, Manchester – the star has never been better

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Florence + The Machine make a triumphant return to the stage in a thrilling exploration of female rage.

When you think of Florence Welch, you can’t help but picture her barefoot complete with flower crown and bouncy skirts racing around the stage in a fairy-like fashion.

And yes whilst she still is this, the band’s new era is suddenly a lot darker and haunting with their new album Everybody Scream exploring topics of loss and grief.

Florence and her coven-like quartet of dancers did not leave the stage once throughout the 21-track setlist, but not once did it feel tired.

Image: The Manc

The album’s title track kicked off the show before transitioning into fan-favourite anthem Shake It Out.

Florence’s voice is just as recognisable as ever, as is her long auburn hair that she swishes with her as she strides up and down the stage alongside her flowing sleeves.

Beneath the powerful vocals, the haunting atmosphere grew stronger as Seven Dials and Which Witch saw the dancers, coined as ‘the witch choir’, crawling up and down the stage in a Michael Jackson Thriller-style fashion.

 
 
 
 
 
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Daffodils saw Florence interact with the crowd – embracing a woman pressed to the front of the barrier sporting a bright yellow flower crown.

It’s clear to see how much their music means to so many, and being at a Florence gig you feel as though you’re really part of something special.

A highlight came half way through the two-hour spectacle, as Florence dedicated Never Let Me Go to her sister in the crowd who she stated was “clever enough to marry a man from Manchester”.

Image: The Manc

We couldn’t agree more Florence.

Spectrum (Say My Name) really ignited a fire in the crowd, the entire arena was up and moving to the iconic track.

Her most vulnerable moment of the night comes as she returns for the encore, when she sings You Can Have It All which is written about her near-fatal ectopic pregnancy she experienced in 2013.

It’s raw and haunting, and we feel every note as she summons the strength to perform a song so revealing.

Of course, as the first two notes of Dog Days Are Over the crowd erupts into chaos.

Florence asks us to put our phones down, “you won’t get a good video and if you’re holding your phone, you can’t move” she states, and so we did what we were told.

It’s proof of the power that Florence holds over her audience, and from then on we were left to dance with complete abandon as the show ended in a feeling of pure joy and euphoria.

Read more: Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly

Featured image – The Manc

Audio

Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly

Danny Jones Danny Jones Brits 2026 art exhibit Manchester Piccadilly train station Microdot Britpop collection

If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.

Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.

This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.

We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:

So cool. And that’s just his glasses.

The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.

With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.

Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.

From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.

Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.

While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.

Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.

Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.

Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…

All the events happening around Manchester ahead of the BRIT Awards 2026

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

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