Manchester, The Lodge at The Deaf Institute

March 25th, 2025 - Manchester, UK

Kicking off 2025 with a new record, Melbourne’s Slowly Slowly hit the road for their first ever UK headline tour. Following big successes last year touring with Stand Atlantic & Crawlers, they return to the UK with a whole new group of fans as well as the originals. Tonight, they roll into a sun soaked Manchester for the first sold out show of the tour as the take to the stage in The Deaf Institute Lodge.

In 2015, the band started their journey with the release of debut single ‘Empty Lungs,’ since then there has been some line-up changes along the way however this has never put the brakes on their progress – with 5 records under their belt and an entire CV worth of big festival & tour appearances, they have shaped the band they are today, the number of fans coming out to their first UK headline speaks volumes of the progress that’s been made over here.

With only one support band on the tour, it was down to Auz friends Bukowski to warm up what was a very tight and cosy space and that they certainly did – the Melbourne based emo-punk quartet bring the party in any room they set foot in, releasing their ferocious debut album only last month, they have certainly hit the ground running in a big way this year and set their sights on bringing in new fans on this run of shows.

Frontman James Karagiozis made sure every inch of the small stage was covered, his energy was infections as they powered through a set packed full of everything this band have to offer. With their debut I Don’t Wanna Live, I Don’t Wanna Die just over a month old, it was the perfect time to showcase what this record was all about.

Straight off the bat with one of 2024’s big hitting singles ‘Sow’ before quickly heading into ‘Till I’m Dead’, two songs setting the tone for the set while also slipping in the little running order of the new record with ‘What Do You Want Me to Be’ & ‘I’m Alone’ completing that slapping run of songs. Looking around the room it was easy to tell just how much the crowd was loving this set – their heartfelt pop rock resonates very well with those who listen, and each song comes with meaning that can relate to so many bringing in that passionate love that they have. ‘Elevator Song’ certainly falls under that category as with its meaning of trying to understand things as you grow up and questioning beliefs.

Concluding the set in style with another big tune off the record with ‘Superweak’, a song that is more laid back but still as compelling to other songs they have while also throwing in the emotional intensity. The set had it all, from the commanding vocals of James, slapping bass from Jamie and the in-your-face gripping guitar from Benji to a complete performance from Gerard on drums – Bukowski are knocking on the door to hit great heights.

It’s now time for tonight’s headliners to take to the stage – first Manchester headline show, first sell out of the tour, this were about to get special. Regardless of what their name is, things are moving at high speed for Slowly Slowly especially in the UK and nights like this will be rare to see in such a small capped venue with bigger rooms just in that area of Manchester alone screaming out their name.

Despite the change in lineup, nothing was derailing this tour or show. Starting strong with a big fan favourite ‘Blueprint’, the boys jumped in with two feet to ensure things were kicking off from the get-go and even with the little space on stage, Ben makes use of every inch he had. They are a band know for their high energy and that was certainly lived up to expectations, for the duration of the set the high levels were always there either on or of the stage with the crowd being in fine voice from the offset.

A quick scan of the room and seeing an array of Crawlers merch speaks volumes of the impression the band have left off the back of last years tour with the Liverpool heroes and it’s highly deserved. Tracks like ‘How Are You Mine?’ and ‘Gimmie the Wrench’ are the big hitters from the new record and certainly do not sound out of place in a live surrounding. Hearing the new album come together so nicely live just amplifies the work that has went into making it such a standout record with reception from the crowd making it sound like the songs had been around for years showing how much fans have connected to this.

Even with the joy of music, hearing older songs in the mix like ‘Nothing On’, ‘Race Car Blues’ and ‘Ten Leaf Clover’ all receive a hero’s welcome showing that the songs from through the years are still as loved now as they were upon release. The switch-up in vibes throughout the set was one of the many standouts of what this show offered up – from the ultimate highs of ‘Hurricane’ to more eighties groove in ‘That’s That’, it just highlights the diversity the comes with the Slowly Slowly live experience.

Coming to the end of what was a sweaty show, they round off in style with more fan favourites are older tracks that shaped so much today. 2019’s ‘Jellyfish’ set things off with a mighty singalong before concluding with ‘Creature of Habit Pt 2’ where they were joined on stage by Bukowski’s James to round of a special Aussie takeover in the North.

It's hard to really put into words just how incredible it was to watch two of the most exciting names in Australia take to the stage on the same bill in a sold-out room. Both Bukowski & Slowly Slowly have bright futures outside of their home country and judging by the numbers hitting the venues of the UK and Europe to see them, sights will be set on a takeover overseas.

Aussie highflyers Slowly Slowly take things to a whole new level with a cosy sold out show in Manchester

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Aussie highflyers Slowly Slowly take things to a whole new level with a cosy sold out show in Manchester

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