No one does it better – You Me at Six bow out in style in Manchester for the Final Nights of Six farewell
March 28th 2025. Manchester, UK
Since 2005, rock royalty You Me at Six have filled the hearts of millions worldwide with their fun-filled and heartstring pulling anthems that have packed venues far and wide. When the Final Nights of Six were announced, emotions flooded out with this band being such a huge part of many fans lives for 20 years – since they burst on to the scene with their debut Take of Your Colours the band have risen from the “Underdog” to be one of the most loved bands in the UK rock scene. From tiny rooms to festival main stages and everything in between, it’s been a career that’s had it all. The story of how this band began as teenagers is a true fairytale and since then, they have lived the dream achieving incredible things in the process.
Tonight, the band roll into Manchester for the second last time as they build up to say goodbye to the north with the first of two sold out shows in the O2 Apollo. Making their first appearance in this venue in 2010, it’s quite fitting they bow out in style in such an iconic room for the final time. With the success of the February shows in Manchester, the final lap is set to be something special and emotional.
photo by Craig McInnes
It will come as no surprise that Manchester is cold, however that does not stop the line of dedicated fans braving the bitter wind that battled its way throughout the city hours before doors. The commitment fans have for this band just show much they are still loved even after all these years. Fans came from far and wide including hardcore follower Renee Sass who came all the way from Melbourne, Australia to follow the band that she loves - attending 16 shows across the UK as well as 5 shows back home showing exactly what this band means to her. To see the effort people have gone to be on this tour highlights the impact You Me at Six have had on so many lives – getting to meet and chat to people like this and to play even a small part on their journey makes all of this worth while and adds to just how important loving music really is.
With doors open and heat acquired, it was time for tonight’s only support – with a change of support across the tour, it was time for Leicester trio Mouth Culture. Their addictive sound brings out a solid mixture of alt-rock and pop-punk that makes their live set mesmerising to watch. Frontman Jack Voss once shared his dreams coming true of Josh Franceschi sharing the bands music on his Instagram story – fast track to now and sharing a stage with the band is quite fitting.
You can see from the get-go why this band belong on this tour, their electric blend of alt-rock, grunge, and indie set the place alight with energy. Voss does all he can to rally the Manchester crowd into a frenzy from going right down to barrier to get up close with fans to setting the room up for mosh pits, something the crowd happily obliged to.
Mouth Culture continue to show time and time again why they are on the rise and this set is a good indication why – their energy on stage is certainly infectious on the stage for some fans watching on. Their set had exactly what you would expect from a live show including massive “No Shame” & “Sharkbait.” They even threw in the added bonus of new song “Ratbag” that’s set to be released on the 11th of April setting this up to be what’s looking like an exciting few months for the band. With this tour being a dream for the band, its fitting to see the addition of “Happier” to the set – a song that was written about chasing your dreams. Closing off a killer set with “Don’t Pull Up.” this was certainly a statement made from the Leicester boys setting themselves up nicely for the remaining dates on this run before hitting the road with Manchester’s very own Hot Milk.
photo by Craig McInnes
photo by Rachael Sweeney
The room is now packed to capacity and “Don’t Look Back in Anger” is sung is unison – Manchester is ready to say goodbye.
The screams are deafening as the band enter the stage one by one before kicking straight into “Room to Breathe” setting the place off as Josh introduces the night and for many, will be the last time. A strong start with banger after banger as they take fans back to the early days with “Loverboy,” “Stay With Me,” and “Save It For the Bedroom” one after the other before “Take Off Your Colours” rounds off quite simply an insane start – both band and crowd in exceptional form, each word sung with so much passion and emotion with the feeling of sadness kicking in pretty early – even as I sit on the balcony and watch over the scenes below me, the tears are flowing at just how special tonight is only 5 songs in.
Tonight’s set really is special – with massive records spanning over such a long period, the choice to narrow down a setlist into the show would certainly not have been easy. From old school to what would be their farewell album, the selection could not have been more perfect. The happiness on stage from the band, the raw emotion on the floor from the fans, it’s the perfect end. More tear triggers of the night came in the form of “Lived a Lie” singing loud and proud “we are believers,” something this band have lived by even before this song was a thing, these lyrics hit home with many Sixers and the emotions behind this song make every hair stand on end. “No One Does it Better,” “Mixed Emotions” and “Fireworks” were all sung beautifully by the Manchester crowd however the one sit back and let it sink in moment was Josh telling the story of You Me at Six and how they started, naming each member one by one and how they met went straight to the feels - this speech came right before a stunning acoustic version of “Liquid Confidence,” the very first song that brought me into the world of You Me at Six. Hearing the story, hearing the passion this band has before playing such an important song was a personal highlight.
photo by Rachael Sweeney
photo by Rachael Sweeney
photo by Rachael Sweeney
It’s difficult to fit in just how good this show is, from the production to the setlist, the fans and even the venue we are in just adds to every single emotion we are all feeling - each song coming with their own nostalgia for every fan that takes them back to a certain time or place, for me looking back to when this band came into my life as a lonely teenager, they made everything feel okay and to be able to sit her and sing these songs one last time after all these years, it makes me wish I could tell 13 year old me it does get better. It wouldn’t be a You Me at Six show without some mosh-pits now, would it? “SUKAPUNCH,” “Jealous Mind Think Alike,” and “No Future? Think Again” fill the room with chaos - Josh requests that the crowd live in the moment and keep the phones away while they spread open the room for the biggest pit of the night. It’s been a night where we’ve laughed, cried, moshed and sang our hearts out – the time has come for the final bow. The mammoth “Bite My Tongue” brings out the crushing screams from Josh for the part of Oli Sykes. “Reckless” follows before the final dance to our national anthem “Underdog” where the crowd let out possibly the loudest vocals of the evening.
The saying ‘don’t be sad it’s over, smiled because it happened’ couldn’t be more fitting for this entire experience – You Me at Six have been welcomed into our homes, our headphones, our speakers and our hearts for the last 20 years. They are not just a band, they are our band, they are our family - they have saved lives and shapes lives into inspiring the future of music to carry on their legacy. I came across this band on Kerrang TV at the age of 13, and at 30 years of age, they are still such a huge part of my life and seen me through so many things that other bands just can’t. They have been and they always will be You Me at Six. Thank you for everything - Believers forever. Sixers for life.
photo by Rachael Sweeney
