WORDS AND IMAGES DESH KAPUR
After nearly two decades together, You Me At Six have embarked on their final tour, with last night’s show at the O2 Apollo in Manchester delivering an unforgettable experience for fans. The band’s recent announcement that they would be splitting up added a bittersweet edge to what was an electric night of music, nostalgia, and emotion. The fans, many of whom had been following the band since their early days, were determined to savor every last moment.
But before that The XCERTS originally hailing from Aberdeen, where they are embraced as hometown heroes, and they came out ready to prove why. This pop-punk three-piece brims with confidence, delivering a set that balances pop-heavy melodies with the raw energy of punk. Despite scaled-back production, their connection with the crowd was undeniable. Thrashing through their back-catalogue stompers, The XCERTS played with a sense of urgency and passion, as if someone might pull the plug at any moment, making every moment feel electric.
The set began with the in-house PA blasting Oasis’ Don’t Look Back in Anger, a perfect nod to Manchester’s musical heritage and a fitting prelude to what was about to unfold. You Me At Six then took the stage, launching into “Room to Breathe” and “Lover Boy”, and it became instantly clear why they’ve enjoyed such longevity in the industry. Lead singer Josh Franceschi was a dynamo on stage—dancing, jumping, and lunging across the space with an infectious energy. The stage was bathed in bright white lighting, with laser effects cutting through the air, creating a dramatic backdrop.
As the band worked through a setlist packed with essential songs and fan favorites, the connection between them and the audience grew even stronger. The sense of nostalgia was overwhelming, with fans singing along to every word, their faces lighting up with joy despite the underlying sadness of knowing this would be one of the last times they’d share these moments. It was a powerful and confusing experience, seeing smiles paired with teary eyes, as the crowd poured their hearts out in return for the years of music that had defined many of their lives.
You Me At Six’s versatility was on full display throughout the night. They seamlessly shifted between upbeat party anthems, slower, more reflective tracks, and even a few acoustic sections, showcasing the depth of their musical catalog. Whether it was the high-octane energy of their pop-punk hits or the emotional weight of their ballads, the band proved time and again why they’ve remained such an essential part of the British rock scene for so long.
The final act of the night was the band’s encore, a three-song barrage that saw You Me At Six take two of their most beloved tracks from Sinners Never Sleep—Bite My Tongue and Reckless. The crowd erupted, with everyone bouncing, singing along, and trying to hold on to these final moments of pure euphoria. By this point, the realization that this incredible journey was nearing its end had fully set in, making the energy in the room even more intense.
As the night came to a close, it was clear that this was more than just a concert. It was a celebration of everything You Me At Six had achieved, and a heartfelt goodbye to a band that had given so much to their fans. The love and emotion were tangible—from the crowd to the band and from the band back to the crowd. Though the end of an era is approaching, You Me At Six’s legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who fell in love with their music.
SET LIST
1/ Room to Breathe
2/ Loverboy
3/ Stay With Me
4/ Save It for the Bedroom
5/ Deep Cuts
6/ Give
7/ Night People
8/ Fresh Start Fever
9/ Straight to My Head
10/ Lived a Lie
11/ Crash
12/ SUCKAPUNCH
13/ MAKEMEFEELALIVE
14/ No Future? Yeah Right
15/ Mixed Emotions (I Didn’t Know How to Tell You What I Was Going Through)
16/ No One Does It Better
17/ Liquid Confidence
18/ Take on the World
19/ Beautiful Way
Encore
20/ Bite My Tongue
21/ Reckless
22/ Underdog
FOLLOW YOU ME AT SIX
The XCERTS
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
