American rock band Set it Off has made their return to Manchester’s O2 Ritz as part of their UK/EU headline tour.  On this tour, we have three openers: TSS, Call Me Amour and Point North. I want to start by thanking the wonderful staff at the venue. Everyone was friendly, which really enhanced my experience. They also took special care of disabled fans, regularly checking on them and providing a safe section for them. It was a great venue, and I would definitely recommend the venue! Thanks for the amazing experience! Now, on to the review!

Kicking off the night was TSS, a French metal band that completely blew me away! I went in with low expectations, thinking they’d be more on the lighter side, but they unleashed a heavy metal assault that had everyone rocking out. The energy in the crowd was electric; people were dancing, headbanging, and losing themselves in the music. Their stage presence was nothing short of captivating; you could feel their passion radiating throughout the venue. Honestly, they were the perfect opener for Set It Off, setting an exhilarating mood that left everyone eagerly anticipating the rest of the evening. What a fantastic way to start the show!  What really stuck out most was their outfits.  I loved the outfits all the band members were wearing, especially the lead vocalist, Matthieu, only a specific type of person can pull off a Demonia platform boot, but we rocked it.

Up next was the electrifying British rock band Call Me Amour, and let me tell you, they absolutely rocked the night! Celebrating the release of their much-anticipated EP, aptly titled ‘Call Me Amour,’ the atmosphere was electric from the moment they took the stage. Fans were treated to some of the tracks from this new EP; some standout tracks to me were “Happy Hell” and “Bloom.” The quality of their set was phenomenal. What truly made the night special, though, was the undeniable chemistry between the band and the audience—it felt as if we were all part of one incredible experience.  One of the highlights for me was when the lead singer, Harry, ventured into the middle of the mosh pit so I climbed up on the barrier to capture the moment and get a better view, and it was nothing short of amazing watching him engage with everyone up close. On his account we all jumped at the same time leading into their next song and it worked perfectly.

However, I couldn’t help but wish they had more time to play. Their setlist was sweet but short, leaving me wanting more, I would have loved to hear additional tracks. Despite this, their performance was memorable, and the energy they brought to the stage was something I’ll carry with me long after the show ended.

SETLIST:

Happy Hell

Blackout

Chasing Bugs

Good Day

Bloom

The last opener for the night was the American rock band Point North, and they truly made their mark. Although I had heard of them before, this was my first time witnessing their energy live, and it did not disappoint. You could feel their confidence radiating from the stage; it was clear they had plenty of experience under their belts. Their stage presence was captivating, almost like they were born to perform.

That said, I found myself wishing for a bit more crowd interaction. It would have been exciting to see the lead singer dive into the audience, similar to what Call Me More had done earlier. But overall, Point North delivered an impressive performance and set the tone for Set it Off.

It’s time for the main act, Set it Off. I have been listening to Set It Off since I was a teenager in secondary school, so I was incredibly excited to finally see them play live. I was very impressed with their performance. They started the show off with an absolute classic wolf in sheep’s clothing. The energy in the venue was electric as the band kicked off the night with one of their most popular songs. The moment the music started, I could feel the excitement radiating from the crowd. I could clearly hear everyone singing along behind me, which made the experience even more special. It’s a rare treat when a band chooses to open with such a well-known track, but it truly set the tone for the entire evening. I was immediately engaged by the atmosphere, and I knew from that very first note that the rest of the gig was going to be absolutely phenomenal.

The energy of the show was fantastic, and the only time we saw it quiet down was for a sad song. All of the audience turned on their torches on their phones and lit up the venue. It’s truly beautiful to see all the twinkling lights in the dark room.

Later on in the night, we saw lead singer Cody put down the microphone for a song and play drums on the track ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead’. It was so cool to hear Cody play the drums! As the night unfolded, the atmosphere crackled with an electric energy that swept through the crowd like wildfire. What truly impressed me was how Cody’s voice mirrored the polished perfection of their recordings—a rich authenticity that elevated the entire experience. Every note he sang resonated within us, binding the audience together in a shared moment of sheer bliss.

SETLIST:

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

Fake ass friends

The Haunting

Evil People

Creating Monsters

Kill the Lights

Lonely Dance

Hypnotized

I’ll sleep when I’m Dead.

Parasite

N.M.E

Win Win

Killer in the Mirror

Why Worry

Punching Bag

I have to give a huge shoutout to the audience at this show. You all deserve so much recognition. Every one of you brought your unique flair, and I was mesmerised by the creativity in your outfits. The variety of makeup looks was stunning, and it was heartwarming to see so many people confidently express their true selves.  I’d like to give a special mention to the amazing person in the front row wearing the traditional goth makeup; you really stand out to me. Your vibrant energy and big smile lit up the room and added to the magic of the night. It goes to show that the little things really do make a difference at concerts.

Words & images: Kelsey Hind

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