MILES KANE BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO THE ICONIC O2 RITZ
THE MANCHESTER CROWD TURN OUT IN FORCE FOR THE SELL OUT SHOW | BY HOLLY PIMLOTT
In my many years of going to the O2 Ritz in Manchester to see musicians attempt to bring a new life and aura to this iconic venue, I have never seen one do it the way Miles Kane did on Saturday night.
Bringing undeniable attitude and style to the stage, Miles Kane graced his Manchester audience with a set so incredible, nobody would have expected it. The undoubted swagger and effortlessly cool presence of Kane shone in a way I personally have never seen before – it’s as if his one man band had awoken a new life within the star.
Opening the set with the anthemic ‘Troubled Son’ – a recent offering off his latest album ‘One Man Band’ (2023) – the sticky dance floor was met with an incredible roar from fans, and the iconic bounce returned to the Ritz Ballroom once again, all in support of the brilliant showman gracing it’s stage. After the first 6 songs had passed in the set – all showcasing the brilliance of his most recent album – fans were teleported back to 2011; the era of the one and only Come Closer, where to be considered cool you owned only Fred Perry, Lambretta, leather jackets and in most cases the Mod haircut. Inhaler ignited an enthralling spark within the crowd – with melodic chants echoing around the balcony and stamping feet soundtracking the standing area. Furtherly, the sprinkling addition of Kane’s 2018 masterpiece Coup De Grace went down an enormous storm. Tracks like Cry On My Guitar and Coup De Grace sent fans back 6 years ago to its release and allowed for a large-scale outbreak of song and dance within fans across the venue. Other iconic Kane tunes also included within the night’s setlist were Rearrange, Colour Of The Trap and Come Closer.
What cannot go unnoticed however is the beauty of the Don’t Forget Who You Are encore that gave the Ritz Ballroom one of the biggest senses of unity I have ever witnessed in there. Crowds and crowds of people were brought together harmoniously singing the iconic ‘la la las’ all in unison together as one – creating such an enormously special connection between Kane and his fans. If the high-speed winds weren’t already a threat to the infrastructure of the O2 Ritz, Miles Kane’s performance was surely a contender for taking its roof off.
Written by Holly Pimlott | Photos by Bella Proudfoot
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