The fast-rising and genre-bending rock group Sleep Token have announced their biggest-ever headline tour in the UK and will be coming to Manchester later this year — and wait until you find out where they’re playing.
For anyone yet to discover the progressive metal band, the masked outfit is probably providing one of the most unique and sprawling sounds in the industry right now, fusing everything from heavy rock and jazz to alternative electronic music and straight-up piano ballads.
Having built a steady but solid cult following since 2016, very little is known about the mysterious metalheads other than the fact they’re from London and have been blowing up worldwide on platforms like TikTok.
While this isn’t their first visit to the UK by any stretch, their recent surge in popularity has seen them skip more than a few steps on the way up to playing the biggest venues around the world and are now set to play none other than Manchester’s brand-new Co-op Live Arena.
Come November, the United Kingdom shall gather in Worship.
Those wishing to attend may register their interest at the link below, in preparation for the exclusive presale window – which begins Wednesday at 10am.https://t.co/QnDJol5ImQ
Scoring a slot at what is set to be Europe’s largest and most sustainable indoor entertainment arena when it opens is no mean feat and just serves as more proof that Sleep Token are absolutely massive. Their legions of ‘worshippers’ would argue they already are.
ADVERTISEMENT
Part of the obsession with them is the distinct look, culture and relationship with the fans; many of them have fully bought into the very specific mystical and gothic aesthetic, often likened to a religious following as opposed to a straightforward crowd.
With a whole subset of lore and mythology erected around them and their deity-like frontman, ‘Vessel’, for a lot of people, listening to this band is more than just popping in some headphones and pressing shuffle — so much so that they helped get them to number three in the UK and saw their latest record
ADVERTISEMENT
Set to play Co-op Live on Tuesday, 26 November — being one of the first to be given the honour of kicking off its first year of events — the Manchester date is just one date in a small handful of five shows which also includes London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff. Again, huge.
Estimated to play in front of more than 75,000 fans over the course of the limited run, this will, without doubt, be one of their biggest tours to date anywhere, and if you haven’t listened to them before now might be the time.
It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure, but if you’re into your heavier stuff and want to hear a band doing stuff like very few other artists on the planet are right now, maybe give them a go.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tickets for Sleep Token’s 2024 UK tour and their Manchester gig go on general sale this Friday, 9 February at 10am and you can grab yours HERE, or you can go for presale by signing up to the mailing list from Wednesday, 7 Feb.
We know we say this a lot but, trust us, these things are going to sell out in the blink of an eye.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Danny Jones -
5th February 2024 
