Live Review: Nova Twins – O2 Ritz, Manchester
15th October 2025
Support: Ashaine White, HotWax
Words: Matthew Williams
Photos: Nic Howells
This was another step into the great unknown for me, as the first time I’d heard about the Nova twins, was when my local record shop in Nantwich announced that they were doing an album signing session at the store. I’d had a few people tell me snippets of information about them, but in my quest for new musical experiences, off I went.
As I walked into the sparsely filled 02 Ritz on a Wednesday night, Ashaine White was singing “Animal". She’s constantly smiling and has a very relaxed manner, as she casually strums away on her green guitar. A funky little song followed next called "Whole Lotta Me" which has a very catchy chorus and was easy on the ear.
She encourages the crowd to come over to the merch table later and buy one of the “three thirsty guys” on stage with her a beer or two before they go into a new called "Crickets" as she wanted to "try it out" tonight. It's a slower paced effort, with the rim of the snare drum getting some attention. With a coil shaped cymbal making a different sound, they finish with "Let me Down" on what's been a "truly magical night".
Up next are a three piece from Hastings called HotWax, who have a fuzzy distorted bass sound as they begin with opener "Hard Goodbye". The vocal harmonies between Tallulah Sim-Savage and Lola Sam sounded a bit off at the start but improved thereafter. There's a slight pause in proceedings as Sam holds her bass vertically aloft before they launch into "Rip it Out". There's very much a 1990’s Riot Grrrl feel to their music and stage presence.
Singer/guitarist Sim-Savage, announces they are "very happy to be here" as the next few songs plod along with bits of energy here and there. Then they surprise me, as "Change my Name" has something different and more potency from the trio, which seems to wake the crowd up as well. "The next two songs are about love" quips Sim-Savage and there's a hint of Sonic Youth about 'Chip my Teeth for You" which is pleasing to hear. They finish with “She’s got a Problem " before they head off into the Manchester night to carry on their party.
With their latest release “Parasites & Butterflies” Nova Twins have embarked on a twenty four date European and UK tour, and it was great to see that they played all but one of the songs from the new album. The duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Amy Love and bassist Georgia Smith, are a bundle of energy as they kick off with “Black Roses” followed by “Sandman”.
With four big flowers placed either side of the drummer, I had no idea what to expect from the band, but I’m assuming that Smith has a plethora of effects pedals, as some of the bass sounds she created were extraordinary. “Cleopatra”, a song dedicated to the Egyptian Queen, or is it the 90’s pop group from Manchester, I’ll let you decide, signalled their intent, as they get the crowd up and bouncing.
They are a very watchable group, with constant guitar and bass changes, and a clutch of songs that encourage the crowd to sing along with them. “Welcome to the Parasites & Butterflies tour” says Love, who can really hit those high notes and continues to roam the stage, but it’s Smith who impresses me most with her bass playing. The expansive range of notes and sounds she emits is very impressive and it was a theme throughout.
“N.O.V.A.” was an anthemic song and they follow it with “K.M.B.” a song dedicated to “losing your ex-partners, who come and go” as the fuzzy, reverb bass sound rocks the venue. There’s a bit of drum n bass with “Drip”, but it gets the place dancing. Personally, I think they sound better when Love is playing her guitar, but she has more freedom without, emphasised when they both disappear into the crowd for “Choose your Fighter” and HotWax and Ashaine White continue the stage vocals. “Piranha” is another big sounding song, with moody lighting and the vocals from Love are excellent as she twirls her finger around, signalling the first circle pit of the evening and they complete the set with the softer tones of “Hummingbird”.
You can feel the excitement and sparkle in the room and the jumping continues with the first song of the encore, “Antagonist”. They address the crowd as one, “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, and we only have two more shows after this” as they unfurl a Love Over Hate flag on stage, which is met with huge applause. They burst into “Monster” and celebrate having “the best time on tour” by promising to come back to Manchester very soon before finishing on a high with “Glory”.
Photo Credit: Nic Howells
