Bella Platt
Full time student and live music enthusiast, actively involved in Manchester and Newcastle’s music scene, interviewing and reviewing grassroots bands and larger indie acts.
Goat headline Manchester Psych Fest 2025, with appearances from Honeyglaze, Do Nothing and plenty of new upcoming talent
On Saturday, we braved the rainy streets of Manchester to hunt down the best sets and brightest upcoming talent at Manchester Psych Fest. From swirling psychedelia to indie anthems and everything in between, the city delivered. Each venue felt like a different world—from the sweaty basements of Ritz and YES, the hazy halls of Gorilla, and the grand stage of Academy—the through-line was clear: a festival uniting boundary-pushing artists and an audience eager to be swept up in something new. Manchester Psych proved once again that it isn’t just a showcase, but a celebration of what’s next.
A cacophony of guitar dissonance and slapped drums, Honeyglaze demanded audience attention from minute one at the O2 Ritz. Opening with the extended strumming opening of ‘Hide’ from their most recent album ‘Real Deal’, the three-piece most definitely had volume on full. Followed by ‘Don’t’, a rebellion song of lead singer Anouska, standing up against any who dare to disrespect. Catchy guitar hooks have been mastered by Honeyglaze – each song is addictive with the strong hook and spoken-word like vocals, accompanied by varying synth sounds that add constant variation.
They walk the thin line between rock and indie, with such an eclectic range of styles that anyone can enjoy. Through the set they eased into their more melodic songs, a sense of comfort established with their audience. This then allowed us to experience the joy of ‘TMJ’ and ‘Pretty Girls’, more introspective anthems with strong lyrical content and once again brilliant guitar hooks. You can read our interview with the band after their set here.
Floodlights brought aussie charm and an undeniably tight set to Gorilla. Complex guitars take a backseat in their tracks, with an equilibrium between each member and a welcome harmonica addition. Rarely do you hear the full extent and charm of a frontman’s vocals, but Louis Parson rings loud and clear, a unique sound the audience couldn’t get enough of.
Tracks such as ‘Nullarbor’ slowly climb into their full potential, a change of pace that’s mesmerising. The band don’t shy away from instrumental-only sections, displaying their competency bare for all – so it’s important when they speak that we listen (‘Small Town Pub’ is a great example of this). The band manages to fluctuate between a heavier rock sound to folk, ‘Alive (I Want To Feel)’ demonstrating this.
YES Pink Room was packed wall-to-wall for Do Nothing, and the anticipation quickly gave way to a set of razor-sharp, infectious energy. ‘Nerve’ stood out as a defining moment—Chris Bailey’s arresting vocals echoed back from the crowd, entwined with guitar hooks that felt both emotive and unforgettable. It’s a track that cements itself as a groove-laden anthem, fit for any occasion. At festivals it’s rare for one band to command such unanimous sway yet Do Nothing held the room in the palm of their hand, delivering hit after hit with unshakable confidence.
Headliners Goat performed to the Academy 1 crowd, adorned in voodoo costumes that maintained the anonymity of each member. Their embellished guises added an ethereal element to the rock-heavy alternative set, an initially unsure audience soon gave in to the band’s enchantment. As well as six studio albums and writing scores for blockbuster hits- the band performed the tightest set of the day, rightfully earning the title of headline. Merciless guitars forced through the speakers with a fuzzy sound and occasional wah-wah; ‘Run To Your Mama’ epitomised this with a sound straight from the 60s. Their world influence was clear throughout the set – a perfect headline of psych-rock for the festival.
Closing out the midnight slot at Manchester Psych were the day’s second Aussie export, Radio Free Alice. Frontman Noah Learmonth’s unmistakable vocals cut through the room for songs like ‘Paris is Gone’ and ‘Look What You’ve Done’, elevated by the sultry punch of live saxophone. Each track carried the weight of an anthem, pulling from across their three EPs, yet the band remain resolute in their own distinctive sound. Where charisma can often feel scarce onstage, theirs was in abundance—energy and passion spilling over, each song delivered like a final, unflinching confession from Noah himself.
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