Circa Waves Light Up the O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester UK – A Night of Indie Bliss | 7th February 2025

March 1, 2025
International Concert Reviews, UK Concert Reviews
by Desh Kapur UK-Editor/Photographer

WORDS AND IMAGES ISOBEL EVE SCOTT

Situated near the quays in Old Trafford, the O2 Victoria Warehouse is one of Manchester’s more tucked-away venues. Built from two old storage warehouses, it’s now a thriving 3,500-capacity music venue. While it may not be as centrally located as some other venues in the city, it is well worth the trip. Tonight, it plays host to Circa Waves as they tour their latest album, Death & Love, Pt. 1.

Opening the night is local band Corella. Hailing from Manchester, they’re performing on home turf, and the support for them is clear from the start. The venue is already filling up, and it’s amazing to see that a significant portion of the audience knows the lyrics to Corella’s songs. Their track “Bloom” goes down particularly well, demonstrating just how popular their indie sound has become. Over the past year, things have really picked up for Corella, and it’s evident in their confidence and the audience’s enthusiastic reception.

The band has a headline European tour coming up in May and June, which will no doubt help build on the momentum they’ve been gathering.

Corella Setlist

1/ Drifting

2/ Waterfall

3/ Bloom

4/ Lady Messiah

5/ Come Around

6/ Rewire

7/ Barcelona Girl

Next up are Peace, an indie rock band from Worcester, fronted by brothers Harrison and Samuel Koisser. Formed back in 2012, Peace have developed an impressive discography over the years, but tonight, with only seven songs in their setlist, they’ve chosen to focus on some of their older material, mainly from their first album. It’s an interesting choice, but the audience responds enthusiastically, especially during Lovesick, a fun, pop-infused tune that lifts the energy in the room.

Their set finishes on a surprising note with a cover of Binary Finary’s “1998”. Peace has been covering the techno dance track for over ten years, and while it may seem an odd fit for their indie-rock vibe, the rearranged version blends effortlessly with the rest of their performance.

Peace Setlist:

1/ Bloodshake

2/ Wraith

3/ Lovesick

4/ World Pleasure

5/ Good Jeans

6/ California Daze

7/ 1998 (Binary Finary cover)

By the time Circa Waves take the stage, the audience is buzzing with anticipation. The pre-show playlist, filled with Britpop hits, has further energized the crowd, with many singing along. As the lights dim, the excitement is palpable, and the band kicks things off with “Do You Wanna Talk”.

From the moment frontman Kieran Shudall steps on stage, he has the audience captivated. His onstage presence is effortless, and the band wastes no time diving into their energetic set. The lighting setup is particularly impressive, with countless lights programmed to sync perfectly with each song, adding a dynamic visual element to the performance.

It isn’t until six songs into the set that we get our first taste of the new album with “Let’s Leave Together”, a feel-good, upbeat track that seems tailor-made for festival crowds. With Circa Waves set to perform at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid and Victorious Festival in Portsmouth this summer, it’s a song that feels like it’s destined to become a staple of their live shows.

Throughout their 18-song set, Circa Waves cover a broad range of material, giving something to every fan in the audience. From tracks off their earlier albums to newer hits, the band ensures that there’s a perfect balance. The night culminates with “T-Shirt Weather”, the closing song from their first album, which leaves the crowd on a high note, singing along to every word and sending them home with smiles on their faces.

Circa Waves Setlist:

1/ Do You Wanna Talk

2/ Hell on Earth

3/ Movies

4/ Let’s Leave Together

5/ Move to San Francisco

6/ Like You Did Before

7/ Sad Happy

8/ Fossils

9/ Lemonade

10/ Sorry I’m Yours

11/ Goodbye

12/ Le Bateau

13/ Jacqueline

14/ We Made It

15/ Fire That Burns

16/ Carry You Home

17/ Be Your Drug

18/ T-Shirt Weather

Overall, the night was a resounding success. From the hometown heroes Corella to the seasoned indie veterans Peace, and finally to Circa Waves, the performances were electric, and the audience’s enthusiasm never wavered. The O2 Victoria Warehouse once again proved itself to be one of Manchester’s premier music venues, and Circa Waves demonstrated why they remain one of the most exciting live bands on the scene today. With a mix of old favorites and fresh material, this tour is one not to be missed.

SETLIST