WORDS DAISY BESTALL / IMAGES MATTY BEZ
A Night of Unwavering Devotion: Nothing But Thieves at Manchester O2 Apollo (Second Night)
On a crisp and autumnal night, the Manchester O2 Apollo became the gathering place for Nothing But Thieves and their loyal fan base. The dedication of their followers was unmistakable, with one fan proudly holding up a sign declaring it as her 80th Nothing But Thieves gig—a testament to the deep connection forged between the band and their admirers. This performance was a part of the ‘Dead Club City’ tour.
But before we got to that, there was time for punk alt rockers King Nun to rip up the stage (which was just bathed in red light) and give us a serving of their Pixies-inspired bangers. Yelled vocals, sonic guitars and a so very intense and edgy lead singer, Theo Polyzoides, manically throwing himself around the stage, at times it seemed chaotic and on the verge of collapse, but that’s what this band do so well and I love that. So if you like your music hard and edgy and your lyrics a little dark and you want to see a no holds barred live performance then King Nun is the band for you.
Next up on the almost glowing red stage were Kid Kapachi, and they wasted no time in raising the bar even higher. Hailing from Hastings, they burst onto the stage with an electrifying energy that nearly knocked you off your feet. From the first chords ringing through the venue, it was clear that this band meant business.
Kid Kapachi delivered a relentless barrage of the finest hard punk and brutal riffs, driving the crowd into a frenzy. The punchy vocals and raw intensity of their performance, creating an atmosphere that was nothing short of electric.
What truly set Kid Kapachi apart, however, was their show-stopping stage presence. They owned the stage with an infectious confidence and a powerful connection with the audience. Each member of the band seemed to feed off the crowd’s energy, and in turn, they amped up the excitement to a whole new level.
After witnessing Kid Kapachi in action, there’s no doubt that they’ve earned a top spot on my ‘must-see live’ list. Their performance was a relentless, high-octane showcase of everything that makes live music truly exceptional. If you get a chance to catch Kid Kapachi in concert, don’t miss out; you won’t be disappointed!”
Lead singer Conor Mason, stood on the stage, drowning in red light, with a touch of concern in his eyes, addressed the audience about his recent bout with a “nasty illness” that led to the cancellation of the Bournemouth gig. Despite his worries, Mason’s vocals were nothing short of exceptional, effortlessly navigating the range of emotions embedded in the band’s eclectic repertoire. To grant his voice a moment of respite, the band treated the audience to stripped-back renditions of ‘Tomorrow Is Closed’ and ‘Impossible,’ a delicate interlude that showcased the vulnerability within the sonic tapestry.
The setlist, carefully curated to traverse the spectrum of their discography, unfolded like a musical exploration through their diverse sounds. Opening with the hauntingly beautiful ‘Welcome to the DCC,’ the atmosphere swayed between the anthemic ‘Is Everybody Going Crazy?’ and the introspective ‘Real Love Song.’ Each note resonated through the venue.
The heart of the evening lay in the intricate melodies of ‘Ce n’est Rien / Gods / Number 13’ and the ethereal ‘Green Eyes :: Siena,’ evoking a sense of captivation that held the audience. The collective hush during the stripped-down performances allowed the lyrics to linger in the air, a shared moment of vulnerability between the band and their ardent fans.
As the night reached its peak, the encore beckoned with the magnetic allure of ‘Amsterdam’ and the resounding ‘Overcome’—their most potent symphony to date. The O2 Apollo pulsed with a shared energy.
Nothing But Thieves at the Manchester O2 Apollo (Second Night) was more than just a concert. In this space where loyalty resonates louder than notes, Nothing But Thieves and their devoted followers created an experience that left a lasting impression.
SET LIST
1/ WELCOME TO THE DCC
2/ IS EVERYBODY GOING CRAZY?
3/ YOU KNOW MW TO WELL
4/ REAL LOVE SONG
5/ KEEPING YOU AROUND
6/ CITY HAUNTS
7/ LIFE’S COMING IN SLOW
8/ SORRY
9/ DO YOU LOVE ME YET
10/ CE N’EST RIEN / GODS / NUMBER 13
11/ PHOBIA
12/ GREEN EYES SIENA
13/ TOMORROW IS CLOSED
14/ IMPOSSIBLE
15/ TRIP SWITCH
16/ FUTUREPROOF
17/ POP THE BALLOON
ENCORE
18/ AMSTERDAM
19/ OVERCOME
FOLLOW NOTHING BUT THIEVES
FOLLOW KID KAPICHI
FOLLOW KING NUN
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago