ROLE MODEL 0611-34

LIVE REVIEW | ROLE MODEL | O2 Apollo, Manchester 6th November 2025 by Jenna Laband

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Indie-pop sensation Tucker Pilsbury, known widely by his stage name Role Model and not-so-widely by his alter-ego Sabrina Carpenter (if you know, you know), brought the energy to Manchester’s O2 Apollo as one of four sold-out UK dates on his tour “No Place Like Tour (The Longest Goodbye)”. Walking out to a crowd full of cowboy hats, pigtails and gingham (a homage to his song “The Dinner”) Tucker kicked off the show with the upbeat hit song “Writings On The Wall”, followed by “Look At That Woman” and “Scumbag”, Tucker brought unbelievable amounts of energy to the stage, owning the whole space as he danced around.

From the moment he stepped out on stage, it was clear to see how he was blown away by the adoring crowd. Pointing out fans whom he recognised from the crowd and taking moments to reflect on the thousands of people singing his song back to him. Aguably the best fan interaction of the night, being his response to the sign “My photopass got denied, pls can I come in the pit?”. After discussing the logistics, Tucker took the fan’s camera onto the stage to take the photos himself, capturing a series of selfies, photos of the crowd and even photos of each of his band members. To see the results, check out @picsbyrosiearron on Instagram!

With one of the best setlists ever, showcasing all of his hit tracks, the momentum of the night just continued. There was certainly not a dull moment with the crowd singing and dancing along to “Superglue”, “The Dinner” and “Frances”, before his cover of The 1975 song “Somebody Else”.

The show then took a slower turn as Tucker explained he was about to play one of his favourite songs he’s ever written. Joking over his “small brain”, he brings out his leather book, which he says he has to write the song in to remember all of the words, telling fans “, I’m gonna read it to you like it’s a story”. The lights dimmed and he took his seat centre stage as he softly sang fan favourite “Something, Somehow, Someday” as dedicated fans recited back every word.

After various comments throughout the set about his London shows, Tucker told fans that when he regarded London as competition for Manchester, this next song was what he meant. “Some Protector” was met with possibly the loudest crowd ever, with the iconic bridge being screamed back by almost every member of the crowd. Manchester saw this competition with London and took it very seriously; it looks like they could be giving the London crowds a run for their money!

The widely anticipated Manchester version of “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” had the whole crowd on their feet. With a loyal fan being chosen as ‘Sally’, dancing along with Tucker on the stage, having the time of her life. Whilst many fans anticipated a possible celebrity cameo, the return to fans being chosen as ‘Sally’ brings us back to what these moments are all about, with the whole crowd applauding the fan as she danced around the stage. Closing the show with the infectious, upbeat track “Deeply Still in Love” was the best serotonin boost to end the night with, closing a night of fun, song and dance in the best way possible.