A week into their Spring 2025 tour, Midlands four piece Overpass returned to Manchester for a headline show at Gorilla and they did not disappoint. Following the release of their recent EP ‘Dependent’, the rising indie-rock band have taken to the stage and successfully translated their music from the studio to live shows - and they’ve done it really well.
The night kicked off with support from Joe Chandler and Balancing Act, both of which were perfect openers to build the excitement amongst the crowd for Overpass. The 30 minute sets from each artist set the tone for the night and built up a strong atmosphere for the Birmingham headliners to come out to.
Chandler opened the show to ease the crowd in with an upbeat vibe and some great songs. His music style and enthusiasm suited the venue and his set fit in really well with the lineup for the rest of the night. Whilst the venue was not yet full, he still had quite the crowd to play for, and he’s definitely one to look out for in the indie music scene.
Balancing Act was next to get the crowd hyped up before the headline and keep the energy levels high. Manchester was where the band originated before officially forming in London, meaning their support slot was a hometown show for them. Starting out, their set began with ‘Before I Shoot’, a great song to introduce the band and well defines their style of music. Frontman Kai Roberts has an unmatched stage presence that makes Balancing Act’s performances work so well, solidified by Jackson Couzens on guitar, David Carpenter on bass and Patrick Hanbury on drums. Fan favourites were ‘Laylow’ and ‘She Plays The Theremin’ and the band successfully created an exciting atmosphere in preparation for what's left of the show.
It’s eventually time for Overpass and frontman Max Newbold, bassist India Armstrong, guitarist Elliot Rawlings, and drummer Jake Bishop enter the stage to deliver a night of infectious music and undeniable stage presence. From the moment the show started, the four brought such a thrilling and powerful vibe to the venue. They started strong with ‘Be Good To Yourself’, which worked really effectively as an opener and laid the groundwork for an impressive set. With Newbold’s distinctive vocals, the backbone from Armstrong’s basslines, Bishop’s drumming and Rawlings’ impressive guitar riffs, the talent this band holds cannot go unmissed and they demonstrated it from start to end.
The setlist was extremely well-crafted and without fault represented the band’s evolving sound. ‘Like No Other’ proved to be a fan favourite, with the crowd becoming increasingly more excited and singing the lyrics back to the band. Songs such as ‘Slow’ and ‘From The Night’ showed Overpass’ skill in changing the dynamic, with the two having a slower, more intimate energy about them. Both songs allowed for a well-built connection between crowd and artist. Fans were also given an insight into what’s to come in the future with two unreleased songs making their way into the set - ‘Sandman’ and ‘Union Station’. The two stayed true to the band’s iconic sound, whilst also demonstrating how they are only getting better.
‘Take It Or Leave It’ was another fan favourite and undoubtedly a highlight of the night. This was where the crowd reached peak energy, the loudest they’d been all night and where the mosh pits started. The energy of the band themselves, coincided with the crowd really well and Newbold’s delivery of the song reinforced the personal nature of the track’s theme: a refreshing take on self-reflection in relationships. The crowd’s energy remained for the end stretch of the set, where songs like ‘3AM’ and ‘Otherside of Midnight’ further cemented Overpass’ signature sound and kept liveliness levels amongst the audience up. Ending the set on a high with ‘Beautiful’, the atmosphere was in fact, beautiful. It flawlessly closed a night of strong tunes and brought everyone in attendance together.
Beyond the music, the Birmingham four-piece displayed an impressive connection with their audience. Whether it was from the band’s talent or collective enthusiasm, it became evidently clear that they were not just there for a performance, but they were sharing an experience with their fans. The intimate setting of Gorilla only amplified this, and it was a perfect venue for them to play. If the Manchester show was any indication of what’s to come, then it’s safe to say that Overpass is only just getting started.
Neve Pomfrey
@Nevepomfreyy
Images: Hannah Pemberton