WORDS AND IMAGES ISOBEL EVE SCOTT
Released in September of last year, ‘Slowly But Shirley’ is the latest album in Minnesotan alternative rock band Soul Asylum’s extensive discography, with this being their thirteenth album to date. And with a new album always comes more live shows, with the band setting out on a UK and Europe tour in January and February of this year.
Tonight’s stop is at Club Academy. Originally, and fittingly, named ‘The Cellar’, it’s a mid-sized room tucked away in the basement of the University of Manchester’s four-venue complex. It’s become a real staple in Manchester’s live music scene, and it feels like a fitting place for tonight’s gig.
Supporting the UK leg of the tour are Unbelievable Truth, who begin their set with frontman Andy Yorke announcing they’ll be playing an acoustic set, but upon going back and listening to their studio recordings, it’s difficult to imagine how else their songs should be played. Their songs are a collection of beautifully stripped back tracks, with ‘Settle Down’ being especially nice to hear live. Forming in the 90s, Unbelievable Truth are a band that have managed to slip under the radar in recent years, but if their live presence is anything to go by, a resurgence for them is long past due.
SET LIST:
1/ Same Mistakes
2/ Settle Down
3/ Citizens Band
4/ Stone
5/ Find Your People
6/ Chemtrails
7/ Solved
8/ Forget About Me
As the house lights dimmed there was a sense of excitement filling the venue. Amongst the crowd, a heartwarming scene caught my eye. There was a boy in the front row, no more than ten years old, sporting a Soul Asylum tour shirt that hung a little loosely on him, and he couldn’t stop chatting with his dad, who was also proudly wearing the band’s merch. The pair were clearly bursting with anticipation, the shared love for the music bridging a generational gap. It’s moments like these that make live shows feel so special—when music transcends age, and you witness something as simple but powerful as a father and son bonding over their favorite band. It was a really lovely sight to see, and it added an extra layer of sweetness to the atmosphere just as the headliners took the stage.
From the first note of their set, it was clear that Soul Asylum hasn’t lost an ounce of their energy or charisma. They kicked things off with “The Only Thing I’m Missing,” the opening track from their latest album. As the first chords rang out, it was immediately apparent that this was classic Soul Asylum through and through. The track has all the hallmarks of their signature sound—gritty, melodic, and full of rock ‘n’ roll swagger—and it felt like it could have easily fit on one of their albums from the ’80s. It was the perfect opener, and the crowd responded in kind, cheering as soon as they recognized the first few notes. Even the band’s most long-standing fans were right there with them, singing along with every word and wearing huge, infectious grins that lit up the room.
Though this tour is in support of their new album, Soul Asylum didn’t hold back from giving the crowd what they really wanted—some of their biggest and most beloved hits. When they launched into “Runaway Train,” the reaction was immediate. The entire room seemed to come alive in a way that only happens when a band plays that song—the one that has become their most iconic. As their most successful single, “Runaway Train” remains a crowd favorite, and hearing it live is an experience in itself. It might not have been the largest crowd the band has ever played to, but in that moment, none of that mattered. Every person in the room was completely absorbed, singing their hearts out and reliving the emotion that made the song a hit in the first place. There wasn’t a single person standing still, and the energy in the venue was nothing short of electric.
As the night drew to a close, the band left the stage briefly, only to return for a well-deserved encore. They brought the night to a high-energy conclusion with “String of Pearls” and “April Fool,” two fan-favorite tracks that proved they were determined to go out on a high note. These songs, with their powerful rhythms and catchy melodies, were the perfect way to end the show, leaving the audience buzzing as the final notes rang out. Soul Asylum may be decades into their career, but judging by this performance, they’re not slowing down any time soon.
It was a night to remember, and as the crowd slowly filtered out of the venue, you could see the smiles on everyone’s faces—the look of people who had just witnessed something special. Whether it was the ten-year-old in the front row or the lifelong fans in the back, Soul Asylum gave everyone a show to cherish.
SETLIST:
1/ The Only Thing I’m Missing
2/ Somebody to Serve
3/ Made to Be Broken
4/ Misery
5/ Trial by Fire
6/ Little Too Clean
7/ Freeloader
8/ Never Really Been
9/ Without a Trace
10/ New World
11/ High Road
12/ Sucker Maker
13/ Freak Accident
14/ If You Want It Back
15/ Black Gold
16/ Runaway Train
17/ Bus Named Desire
18/ Bittersweetheart
19/ Just Like Anyone
ENCORE:
20/ String of Pearls
21/ April Fool
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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
