WORDS AND IMAGES GOSIA CZYZNIEWSKA
The O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester was buzzing with anticipation as New South Wales’ alt-rockers Ocean Alley took the stage. The six-piece band—comprising Baden Donegal (vocals), Angus Goodwin (guitar), Lach Galbraith (keyboards), Mitch Galbraith (guitar), Nic Blom (bass), and Tom O’Brien (drums)—brought their signature mix of soft rock, reggae, and soulful vibes to a packed-out venue, delivering a chilled yet electrifying performance.
Crystal Tides a beach pop band based on the South Coast of England who take influence from classic noughties guitar riffs and modern feel-good pop melodies. The indie five-piece have recently signed a deal with Modern Sky UK & Run On Records. They opened the night with high energy, visibly thrilled to be there after nearly missing the gig. The five-piece band engaged the crowd with ease, even teaching the audience a singalong during their set. Despite their initial concerns about attendance, the warm reception proved them wrong. They made sure to plug their upcoming appearance at Neighbourhood Festival as they continued their tour.
Hockey Dad followed an Australian surf rock band from Windang, New South Wales. The band consists of drummer Billy Fleming and vocalist and guitarist Zach Stephenson. Since 2013, they have released one EP, Dreamin‘, and four studio albums – most recently, Rebuild Repeat, on 14 June 2024. Playing as a three-piece tonight whose minimalist setup initially seemed dwarfed by the large stage. However, their powerful sound quickly filled the room. Veterans and newcomers to their music enjoyed their nostalgic 90s grunge aesthetic and laid-back stage presence. Their shout-out to Ocean Alley (“Are you excited to see Ocean Alley?! So are we!”) added to the anticipation of the main act.
From the moment Ocean Alley took the stage, a distinct late-night bar vibe enveloped the room. The smell of incense, Persian rugs spread across the stage, and silhouetted figures against the stage lights set a mellow, immersive atmosphere. The performance remained relaxed but impactful from start to finish.
The set was punctuated by standout moments, including a massive singalong during “Yellow Mellow” and a roof-raising ovation after their hit “Confidence,” where the crowd erupted in excitement as Baden Donegal danced with a towel on his head. Fans jumping on shoulders and belting out lyrics added to the atmosphere.
Tracks like “Paradise a Burn” featured big, booming drums, while “Partner in Crime” brought out a scorching guitar solo that had the crowd singing along passionately. Before launching into their signature track, “Simple Pleasures,” Baden gave a heartfelt shoutout: “F***ing good to be back in Manchester—this is our biggest song,” to resounding cheers from the audience.
While the band’s artistic performance was solid, with big notes resonating throughout the venue during songs like “Happy Sad,” the interaction with the crowd felt minimal. Much of the banter was muffled, making it hard to catch, but the music did all the talking.
The band left the stage briefly before returning for an encore, a gesture the crowd had been cheering for. With a final applause and “Thank you very much Manchester,” Ocean Alley concluded a dreamy, sonically rich set, leaving fans on a high.
SET LIST
1/ Touch back down
2/ Tombstone
3/ Knees
4/ Tangerine
5/ Home
6/ Double Vision
7/ Stained Glass
8/ The Comedown
9/ Drinks and Cigars
10/ Simple Pleasures
11/ Yellow Mellow
12/ Paradise Burn
13/ Perfume
14/ West Coast
15/ Partner in Crime
16/ Holiday
17/ Confidence
18/ Happy Sad
ENCORE
19/ Baby Come Back
20/ Lemonworld
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