The Plot In You // Currents // Saosin // Cane Hill // Europe 2025 // Live Review // Manchester Academy
A rare break in the rain meant my journey to tonight’s city felt far less cursed than usual. For a place notorious for cancelling trains, I half expected the night to be doomed before it began—but if that were to happen, I could only hope The Plot In You would make it all worthwhile. The air outside the venue was thick with anticipation, a queue stretching for multiple blocks as fans waited for entry.
Opening the night were Cane Hill, the ferocious metalcore four-piece from New Orleans. Known for their ability to bridge the gap between modern metalcore and the heavier grooves of nu-metal, they wasted no time igniting the crowd. The pit filled fast—at least 80% full before the first chorus hit—and it was evident that a large portion of the audience had turned up early just for them. Their setlist balanced aggression with polish; the vocals were steady and confident, cutting cleanly through the low-end rumble of drums.
Each member moved with conviction, giving off the kind of energy that only comes from years of road-worn experience. Despite being the openers, there was nothing “warm-up” about their presence—it was a full-blown energy from the start. After their set, one of the guitarists graced the barrier to greet fans, a small but appreciated moment that cemented the band’s connection with the crowd.
Photography: Jayne Slater madeinerror.media
Next up, California’s Saosin took the stage, bringing a different kind of intensity—one rooted in emotion and nostalgia. The room’s energy shifted as the first few chords rang out, immediately recognisable to long-time fans who’ve waited years for their return to UK soil. Saosin’s sound is an atmospheric mix of melodic hooks and hard-hitting breakdowns, a blend that defined a generation of post-hardcore in the 2000s. Their set felt like a time capsule—familiar yet reinvigorated, with an emotional weight that carried through every song.
While Cane Hill hit hard and fast, Saosin opted for mood and build. Their music filled the venue like a wave, washing over the crowd with ambient guitar riffs and heartfelt vocals. There was a noticeable sense of gratitude from the audience; people sang along to every word, some visibly moved to see the band again after so long. It wasn’t just a performance—it was a reunion of sorts, a collective exhale from fans who’d held on for the better part of a decade.
Photography: Jayne Slater madeinerror.media
Then came Currents — the Connecticut metalcore juggernauts currently on the rise. Fresh off a solid run of international shows, they mentioned from the stage that this marks their eighth consecutive year touring, a streak that clearly hasn’t dulled their hunger. From the moment they hit the first breakdown, the mood changed entirely. The sound was massive—crushing riffs, hard drumming, and enough low-end to shake the floor (literally, a cardboard box next to me kept inching further and further away from its spot). The first crowd surfers of the night appeared within seconds, with security barely keeping up as the band tore through their heaviest tracks.
The contrast between Saosin’s emotional calm and Currents’ sheer ferocity was staggering. The lighting turned to rapid strobe bursts, syncopated perfectly with the double kicks, making the entire stage feel alive. The vocals were relentless—harsh, guttural, but articulate—and the command of the stage was unmatched. The air vibrated with energy; it wasn’t just a performance, it was a sensory overload. For those uninitiated, Currents were a shock to the system, but for their fans, it was everything they’d come to expect—and more.
Photography: Jayne Slater madeinerror.media
Finally, Ohio’s The Plot In You emerged to close out the night. Opening with Don’t Look Away, Landon Tewers stepped through a haze of smoke as the rest of the band stood elevated on a platform, the lighting casting long shadows that set an almost cinematic tone. Their stage design was subtle but deliberate—LED pillars pulsing in sync with the music, hues of blue and white that gave the space an ethereal quality. It was one of those rare setups where light and sound seemed to breathe together.
Landon’s presence was magnetic. The other members remained focused on their instruments, letting him carry the emotional weight and crowd interaction. His voice—cutting, smooth, and full of controlled power—shifted seamlessly between harsh and clean sections, proving his consistency as one of metalcore’s most dynamic vocalists. During a quieter section, a single lamp hung above him, casting a soft glow as he sang the opening to Silence. It was haunting and intimate, the kind of moment that pulls a full venue into stillness. Later, when he demanded more crowd surfers, the response was immediate—bodies flying overhead as the band tore into their heaviest material.
Their set was an example in balance—emotion and aggression, chaos and precision. By the end, the crowd was drained but ecstatic, fully immersed in the cathartic world The Plot In You had built for them.
As the lights dimmed, fans slowly filed out. Every band brought something different—Cane Hill’s ferocity, Saosin’s heartfelt nostalgia, Currents’ relentless heaviness, and The Plot In You’s cinematic intensity. Together, they created a night that felt both nostalgic and forward-looking.
With Currents continuing their European run before heading back to the States, Saosin teasing new material after a long silence, and Cane Hill hinting at a fresh era on the horizon, the future looks bright. As for The Plot In You, whispers of a new album are already circling online—and maybe it’ll be just in time for their UK festival runs in the summer.
Photography: Jayne Slater madeinerror.media
