Four Year Strong - Manchester Academy 19.02.2025
Four Year Strong
Koyo
A night of raw energy, despite the slow start.
The Manchester leg of Four Year Strong’s UK tour, promoting their latest album 'Analysis Paralysis', was held at the Academy 2 in Manchester a venue known for its close-knit vibe. Though the atmosphere started off a bit lukewarm, it transformed into a blistering celebration of pop-punk energy.
The night kicked off with Shoreline. Despite playing to a relatively small crowd, they set the tone with a tight performance. Their music was easy to listen to, blending atmospheric melodies with pop-punk hooks, and they spoke about themes of inclusivity and equality, with a particular emphasis on supporting the LGBT community. Their message of acceptance resonated well with the audience, despite the sparse turnout. They warmed up the room in their own way, and though the crowd was small, they seemed appreciative of the band’s efforts.
Next up were Koyo, whose no-frills performance of one song after another gave off an almost relentless energy. While the crowd’s response was limited—just a few claps and cheers—there was something admirable about their commitment to simply delivering track after track. Their stage presence, especially that of the animated lead singer, added a certain energy that kept things from falling flat, despite the limited crowd engagement. Still, they managed to spark some head nods, even if the engagement wasn’t as lively as expected.
As the crowd slowly swelled for Four Year Strong, the anticipation was palpable. Unfortunately, it felt like the opening acts hadn’t quite warmed the room up enough for the main event, as the band walked onstage to a crowd that wasn’t quite as hyped as they should have been. The foggy red lighting during the intro didn’t help, obscuring the band for a moment, but as soon as 'Bad Habits' kicked in, the energy started to shift. The crowd may not have been primed, but Four Year Strong was, and the next few songs, particularly 'Heroes Get Remembered', 'Legends Never Die', saw the crowd start to respond with more passion, belting out the lyrics to arguably one of Four Year Strongs strongest tracks from 'Ride Or Die Trying', it was a welcomed hit of nostalgia from the pop punk veterans.
'Dead End Friend' got a solid reaction, and when they launched into 'Go Down in History', the crowd truly found its voice with chants and energetic clapping. Despite this, the middle of the set saw a dip in momentum, with some tracks feeling a bit flat, and the crowd’s energy dipping with them. Still, the band maintained a solid presence on stage, playing a mixture of tracks from across their discography, including a few from the new album, which added to the excitement for those who were already familiar with the latest material. As the band announced their final two songs, the room seemed to come alive again with the band reviving the crowd’s energy. But it was 'Wasting Time' that truly sparked the long-awaited connection between band and fans. This was the moment the crowd had been waiting for—clear singing, jumping, and movement, with everyone feeling like they were part of the show at last. While the show had its ups and downs, with moments of brilliance scattered across an otherwise lukewarm atmosphere Four Year Strong proved that, despite the initial tepid reception, they know how to bring the noise and leave their audience with a lasting impression. It’s a shame the crowd wasn’t more engaged from the outset, as they absolutely deserved to give the band a warmer welcome. In the end, Four Year Strong proved their resilience, pulling the energy back to the front with their final songs, leaving everyone buzzing long after the last notes had faded.
Photos & Review - Jess Jones Photography
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