Escape the Fate, Hole44, 18.Jun.2026

Support: The Hara The topless tattooed crew in The Hara are led by the chatty Josh, as with many Mancunians, not averse to a little chit chat or a light-hearted comedy, whether his dancing, their singular telephone prop or the pantomime panda head. An amenable, down-to-earth Northerner, the singular focus is on opening well by having a good time. Zack plays his headless guitars (all three of them looking like toys against his tall frame) to good effect, strumming out cool chords and short solos with aplomb. Jack’s detailed drumming, switching between an open and closed hi-hat to add complexity to simply refrains as well as adding rolls aplenty, brings some flair alongside his bass beats which support the songs. Ultimately the music was not that heavy but there was enough bait for the night’s first pit or a headbang here and there. Amusing and therefore ultimately enjoyable.

Headliner: Escape the Fate Having chosen the support band they did, it’s no surprise that the walk on music is also suitably upbeat and off-emo-centre, the everyone in the entire audience singing the entirety of a Queen number before Escape the Fate walk on stage. The only colours on stage (do they all dye their hair black?) come from the rainbow lighting and the guitars pinstriping, one an out-there orange, delivering the licks, the other with a paint scheme after Knight Rider. There’s big power from the tom tom heavy drumming, when Robert isn’t standing or flipping members of the audience the bird. There’s time for an indulgent guitar solo midway through, after a long walk off where the musicians escape the heat, and another highlight are the excited, enjoyable backup vocals, the best screams of the night. They pound proudly through lots of new stuff, which is mint, massively fast and hard. Ultimately though, this is metal for emos, energetic but not frenetic.