Live Review: Coheed and Cambria – Academy, Manchester
20th October 2025
Words: Oli Gonzalez
Photos: Rich Price
It’s 6.30pm in Manchester. Autumn is well and truly here and the city is in darkness. Though the fire for Coheed And Cambria is still shining brightly well over 20 years into their career! A career that’s seen the New York rockers play festivals and headline shows all over the world. Despite their lengthy tenure, they’re a band that I have still seldom listened to and never seen live before. This would change tonight. They arrive in Manchester riding the momentum of their critically acclaimed album “The Father Of Make Believe” earlier in the year. This may have been at least partially responsible for the Cardiff show selling out 2 days prior, and the reason why the queue is snaking round the University Of Manchester Student Union LONG before 7pm doors! Once doors open, it’s a race for optimal viewing spot. The barrier is fully occupied, so to the bar for a reasonably priced pint, and then to the comfort of the sides of the venue it is. The line for merch is already astoundingly long too; another nod to Coheed’s popularity! An hour wait before the one and only support act seems unnecessarily long. Would they be worth the wait? Let’s find out…
The light’s go down and Northern Ireland’s And So I Watch You From Afar take to the stage. The release of “Megafauna” in August 2024 is still fresh in the mind of the band as they calmly open with ‘Mother Belfast’ (both parts 1 and 2). The room is still adjusting and warming to the band’s post-rock sound. Starting off as a gentle simmer filled with warm inviting intricate melodies, it’s not long before this comes to the boil in the form of huge soundscapes and atmospheric walls of sound! The band’s sonic palette allows you to shake you hips along in appreciation or to bang your head along to the heavier meaty riffs; take your pick!
Normally it takes a while to get to the ‘good bit’ in post-rock, but ASIWYFA are exceptions to the rule with every note playing a crucial role in this genre clinic. They say more as a (mostly) instrumental band than most bands can say with lyrics (though some crowd interaction would be grand). Time for the final song. They have to play it. The unmistakable opening twin guitar riff to arguably their magnus opus ‘Big Thinks Do Remarkable’ fills the room.. Along with the whole band closing the song by singing ‘The sun, the sun, is in our eyes’ in unison, this is a strong finish to a short blast of a 30 minute set. Well worth the hour wait!
A few minutes before Coheed and Cambria's allotted stage time, and the first notes of ‘Goodbye Sunshine’ ring out. Whereas there may have been a few spots nearer to the front, these are well and truly occupied now. Whilst not quite sold out, it’s damn near close (having been stood in almost the exact same spot 10 days prior to watch Testament, this makes for an interesting and suitable comparison).
Nobody seems to mind the slightly early start time. Instead, practically everybody in Manchester Academy is singing along to the infectious chorus of one of their smash hits, and almost drowning out Claudio Sanchez’s voice at times! This isn’t a one off though. No, the trend continues with more songs from the band’s glittering discography and the crowd seemingly knowing every word. At one point, Claudio is happy to mime along into the microphone and let his legions of fans do the heavy lifting. That’s when you know you’ve made a connection with the audience. A connection that makes you feel that venues of this size are going to be too small in the future for a band of Coheed And Cambria’s calibre. A connection that could see the band filling arenas and stadiums.
Did I mention that it’s Monday night here in Manchester? There’s a Saturday night buzz and feeling here though, and a palpable energy that could power a small village! Arms out in the air, fans young and old can be seen singing their hearts out whichever way you look. I find myself immersed in this experience and singing along to songs I had never heard previously. That’s when you know you’ve made a connection and a new fan. Claudio stops to express his gratitude to the crowd with a sincerity that feels genuine and heartfelt.
Fifteen songs across approximately ninety minutes feels oddly short. They could have played right up until the 11pm curfew. Though for many, it’s back to work in the morning so an earlier finish is appreciated. A fine introduction to a band for me and many a cherished memory made for the hundreds of the older fans in attendance.
Photo Credits: Rich Price Photography
i think coheed have already played arenas and stadiums