The New Roses – FAC251, Manchester, 21st October An Electrifying Night with Rock ‘n’ Roll Powerhouses

Review and Photos By Paul McWilliams

As a longtime fan of The New Roses, I had been eagerly awaiting this night for weeks. Having the chance not only to experience their live show but to photograph it felt like an incredible opportunity, especially with their latest album on constant repeat for me. And boy, did they deliver!

The band kicked things off with “Addicted to Danger,” and it was the perfect opener. The high-energy rock riffs got the crowd fired up right from the start. They followed it up with two more tracks from their new album, and the atmosphere in FAC251, a more intimate venue, was electric. The crowd was immediately swept up in the band’s raw energy, singing along and feeding off the infectious excitement.

Midway through, The New Roses shifted gears by diving into their earlier material with “For a While” from their first album. Hearing the entire audience singing every lyric back to them must have been a moment of pure magic for the band, and it was clear how much they fed off that connection. There’s something special about being in a smaller venue, and FAC251 created the perfect intimate setting that brought the audience closer to the music and the band.

The setlist was relentless, with hit after hit, each song building the night to an unforgettable peak. “Dancing on a Razorblade,” “Whiskey in the Backseat,” and “Every Wild Heart” were particular standouts that had the crowd totally immersed in the moment. The energy in the room was palpable, with no signs of slowing down. By the time they reached “Thirsty,” their closing number, the crowd was left wanting more, and the atmosphere was electric.

Just when we thought the night was over, Timmy Rough returned to the stage for an acoustic rendition of “Hold Me Up,” a new song that was met with rapt attention. His raw vocals and emotional delivery created a perfect contrast to the night’s earlier high-energy moments. The rest of the band soon joined him for the encore, closing out with “Usual Suspects” and “Down by the River,” leaving the audience on an absolute high.

This was, without a doubt, a bucket-list gig for me. The New Roses delivered a fantastic night of rock ‘n’ roll, and the intimate venue made it even more special. From start to finish, it was a night filled with great songs, powerful performances, and unforgettable memories.

Setlist:

1. Addicted to Danger
2. Bring the Thunder
3. When You Fall in Love
4. For a While
5. Dancing on a Razorblade
6. The Lion in You
7. Forever Never Comes
8. Whiskey in the Backseat
9. Natural Born Vagabonds
10. 1st Time for Everything
11. Nothing But Wild
12. It’s a Long Way
13. Glory Road
14. Every Wild Heart
15. Thirsty

Encore:

1. Acoustic – Hold Me Up
2. Usual Suspects
3. Down by the River