INCESSANTLY VIVACIOUS IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE | MASTER PEACE 'EVERYWHERE AT ONCE' IN MANCHESTER |

LIVE REVIEW | MASTER PEACE – EVERYWHERE AT ONCE FESTIVAL | SOUP, MANCHESTER | 28th June 2026 by Gracie Erskine

A weekend to highlight the importance of grassroots venues and London indie torch, Master Peace, did nothing but shed light.

An evening of pure awe, shock and surprise. Granted, should you know anything about Master Peace it’s that he’s a consistent wave of that 35p energy drink, incessantly vivacious – in the best way possible. The London singer has collaborated with an arsenal of artists from The Streets to Georgia, but ultimately brands himself at the heart of indie. And before you roll your eyes at the thought of a jangling four piece singing about street corners (as good as that might be), Master Peace bundles that iconic sound into something much more addictive, exciting and modern. And Sunday evening’s show at Soup, Manchester, revelled in the ecstasy of it.

‘LOS NARCOS’ opened the set, and there was a slight apprehension prior as there was still a bit of dancing room in the crowd, and after all it was a Sunday. But that previous assumption should have been disregarded as quickly as the inhibitions of the room were. In its purest form the track is angry, with its perpetual, pulverising beat and ballon pump bass, it rocketed in a sweaty room with a belly full of fire.

Word for word, beat for beat, the crowd were enthralled, subservient to every command. Participation wasn’t optional, but it was freeing. And it only took two tracks for the Master Peace himself to see that, repeatedly exclaiming and praising the verve of the crowd. Even if he did have to tease about the southern competition of Bristol asking for seconds, waves of ‘PLAY IT AGAIN!’ had Manchester lavishing in the second serving of ‘Panic101’ in all its Britpop inspired glory.

Master Peace (Gracie Erskine/Northern Exposure)

Ear splittingly loud for a live band of two, ferocious and engaging undoubtedly, but the best instrument was the collective of the crowd. Posing the more philanthropical question of why this indie suck-up isn’t bigger. A cult-like crowd, who’s karaoke style recital of the lyrics and cathartic crush of dancing expels an admiration for the singer that is expected of that of an arena size act.

With Bloc-Party-by-numbers banger ‘Start You Up’ loosening up every rigid bone, each song of the set continued to surpass the carnage of the last. Perhaps diminishing for expectations of the evening to be lukewarm, but no rose-tint glasses can blur the rapture that was his set. Execution, presumably derivative of the scissor-style grin that the singer donned, alongside the classic three stripes; it’s evident the performance’s success was due to an earnest passion.

Besides the prodigious juxtaposition to intimacy that the young phenom seemed to incur on the venue, he was also relatively comical. A quick retort humbling the crowd on their musical ancestry, edging them for more vibrancy (God knows how) mirroring the likes of local moguls Oasis, The Stone Roses and now, every Mum’s favourite… Aitch. And if you didn’t laugh reading that, just know the room did.

Last track of the evening ‘Home’, had the room lassoed, pinching in every back-wall, toe tapping straggler into a huddle. One that when commanded to ‘get down low’, had no individual refusing the sumo squat.

As fun as it is to relish in the greatness of Master Peace’s set, it is important to remember the cause over the weekend. The gig was part of the Everywhere At Once festival, a nationwide celebration of grassroots live music presented by Music Venue Trust and The National Lottery. More than 2000 artists performed at over 400 grassroots music venues across the UK, creating the UK’s biggest music festival, rooted in local venues and music communities.

Grassroots Music Venues contribute over £550 million annually to the UK economy, yet in the past year alone over 30 have had to permanently close their doors. With the UK’s live music economy at a record high (£6.68bn live music spending in 2024), it is integral that the foundations are supported to keep our most united cultural identity afloat, particularly in the divisive political turmoil that is the current state of the UK. Music gives our united islands something to be proud of, our largest cultural export, our most infamous, and yet the venues that catalyst our artists are crumbling for future generations.

Master Peace is set to release his sophomore album if i don’t love you, who will? in October this year and if presumed tour dates are to follow, they aren’t ones you’ll want to miss. Follow, listen and pre-order the new album now.