Better Joy – Live – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut – sonicpr

Review By Darren McIntyre Images by Scott Anderson

Better Joy are a pop / alternative / rock outfit from Manchester who are kicking up a storm with support slots and headline shows up and down the country and they have just returned from SXSW in Texas where they went down a storm. The band take their influences from bands like The Jesus & Mary Chain, Phoebe Bridgers, The Cure & Fazerdaze, their sound is a mix of bright but also dark, fun but moody with energetic jangly guitars but lazy vocals who’s sound is influenced by 80’s guitar music. They dropped their debut EP Heading Into The Blue which brought them incredible coverage and a whole new legion of fans, they followed that with At Dusk where they honed their signature sound which allowed them to kick off their own headline tour last year and also brought them to the attention of Amy McDonald when they toured the UK opening for the Glasgow born rocker. Fast forward to 2026 and the band are embarking on their next headline tour and tonight the roll into the world famous King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut to dazzle us with their infectious brand of Manchester sound, the place is jam packed as the house lights dim and the band take to the stage to huge applause as they drop into –

This Part Of Town – Bria thanks us for coming out as the track kicks into life with a sweet, mellow guitar lick that welcomes the rhythm section as the punchy groove grabs our attention. The cool, funky, delicious bassline wanders in and really sets the tone as this toe tapping, catchy track lets Bria unleash her fantastic, soulful vocals as the boys quickly settle in and show us what they are all about as we get a real warm, fuzzy feeling from this exciting 4 piece as they pick up where they left off in Glasgow at the tail end of last year, the place is clapping along and swaying from side to side as we feel the energy oozing from the stage and let us not forget the band have literally just flown in from Texas and they are tired, weary but ready to kick ass in Glasgow tonight as we stroll into –

Situations – This is a real fast paced alt rocker track that brings infectious vocals that are wrapped in a cool, melodic guitar riff that fills every corner of this iconic venue tonight as the crowd really get into the groove. Bria lets her sweet, soulful vocals flow effortlessly through the venue as we get a handle on this red hot 4 piece from Manchester as they continue to build their imressive sound, the snare punches are coming at us as the bass kicks let the boys unleash their inner beast as this rousing arrangement really lets the band cut loose and let us feel their emotion oozing from the track, the songs are short, sharp and really pack a punch as we meander into –

Big Thief – A mellow, soulful guitar pick oozes from the stage as Bria leans in with her smouldering vocals that really give this track depth and attitude as this cute little number tells it’s own story. The rhythm section is controlling the direction of the song as the cymbal snaps give the track a little hustle as the snare punches fill the air as the foot stomping beat builds and builds as the full on bassline hits us with a real meaty, dark groove that captured the attitude pouring from Bria and the boys as this gig gets warmer and warmer as we feel the energy build as we roll into –

Plugged In – A full on bassline lets the track come to life as Bria brings her smouldering vocals to let the tone wrap itself around as we sing along to the lyrics that are laid before us. The tambourine taps add some depth to the track as we feel the emotion weaving it’s way through this real thought provoking number as we stand motionless and let this exciting outfit dazzle us with their well thought out tracks, the band are certainly showing no signs of faltering as they drink plenty of water & juice to let them power through this electrifying set. The tone, texture is giving us something different as the crowd show their appreciation as the band tell their own story of this real melodic track that lets us flow into –

Could’nt Run Forever – This is a little fast paced groover that lets the cool guitar licks wander freely through the track as the punchy snare drum kicks build as this nice little groover builds. Bria’s fantastic vocals really lift the arrangement as the boys join the party with a dark, brooding bassline that wraps itself around the track as we get ready to jump around and feel the party erupt inside King Tut’s as this tight outfit drops the groove on the fine folk of Glasgow tonight. The tracks are fast, furious, pack a punch and let us know that this 4 piece are coming for us with all they have, up next –

Quiet Thing – The guitar riffs ooze from the stage as the cymbal taps let the groove come at us as this melodic number lets Bria bring her soulful vocals to the party. The crowd are feeling the love from the band as they shift through the gears and bring us a selection of well crafted tracks, deep cuts and songs that just put a smile on your face, the place is bubbling with anticipation as the band kicks on with a cool toe tapping beat that tells us the band are ready to take on the world and then some. This is a band that just wants to put a smile on your face with every track they lay before us as they deliver killer tracks that just let the band feel the love coming straight back at them as we roll into –

Steamroller – Bria straps on her guitar and joins Darragh as this punchy, dark, groove track kicks in the doors and lets us feel the smouldering vocals that are weaving their way through this arrangement. The boys are hitting us with a punchy bass kick that brings snare beats to really let the track breath as the toe tapping groover unleashes a real melodic, thought provoking piece that grabs our attention, the lyrics are flowing freely through the venue as the place waves it’s hands in the air and taps their feet to this melodic track that showcases this band and what they are all about as we drop into –

So Long( Never Played Live) – Bria asks to not film as this is a real thought provoking track that means so much to her as we let the sweet, soulful guitar pick weave it’s way through the crowd. Bria straps on her acoustic guitar as she lets her incredible, smouldering vocals lead the way with this incredible track, the rhythm section comes through with a cool snare / bass kick that lets the tone build through this fantastic number. The dark, brooding bassline leans in and hits us with a cool, funky beat that lets Bria take the track onwards as we watch in awe as this killer 4 piece outfit just fly and let their thoughts flow through King Tut’s tonight as this toe tapping, mellow based number really grabs our attention as we stroll into –

Wahoo – A nice little guitar note lets the track come to life as Bria lets her fantastic vocals lead the charge in this epic little track that just wanders freely through the venue as this traffic stopping track hits us. The tone, depth and thought provoking lyrics really let us feel the emotion pouring through the venue as we stand still and let the band bring this wholesome track tell it’s own story as the band dig deep and let us feel the tone wander freely through the track, the place is just feeling every note oozing from the stage as the band settle into their stride and really deliver a corker of a show that lets us wander into –

What A Day – Bria keeps her guitar close as this anthemic number weave it’s way through the venue as the band ask us to sing along as the tempo bursts through and the track just ripples into life. The rhythm section is controlling the groove as this punchy little track hits us with a pure melodic tone that gets us all singing along and feeling the love oozing from the stage as the place takes this cute little outfit to our hearts as we sing along and stamp our feet to this kick ass little tune as we reach the business end of the show as we power through the tracks and come into –

Carnival – A punchy bass kick lets this cute little number burst into life as the boys join in and let the funking, meaty bassline wrap itself around this sweet, melodic track as Bria unleashes her smoldering vocals. The snare / bass kicks get the rhythm beating as the place claps along and feels the energy coming from the stage as the band kicks on and brings us a real cool selection of tracks that is the foundation of this crackin little band as they build and build with layers that will certainly solidify their place in the indie / pop scene in Manchester as we let the crisp, crunching guitar riffs ease their way through the venue as we throw our fists in the air and let the band bring the groove as we stroll into –

I’m Here – This is a little kick ass number that lets Bria lean in with her killer vocals that allow the groove to build as we watch the stage with joy as the track bursts into life with a punchy snare kick. The crisp, clean guitar licks are weaving their way through the track as this toe tapping number really lets the groove work the crowd as we get into this power driven 4 piece as they hit us with another corker of a track that just tells us that they are going places with their high energy, melodic, toe tapping tunes that just light up a room as we drop into –

Waiting On Time – The track bursts into life with a sweet, crisp guitar lick that allows the groove to build as Bria leans in with her soulful vocals as the rhythm section brings us a meaty bass kick that gets the crowd clapping along as this bruiser leaves it’s mark. The snare punches fill the air as the cool, funky bassline hits us with a dark, delicious groove that really gets the juices flowing as the band give us a night to remember, the snare drum rolls really up the tempo as the place jumps around and really lets the band do their thing as this fun filled rock n roll night is heading for the last track in the form of –

Dead Plants – The place is going nuts for this cute little outfit as they bring us to their last track of the night as Bria thanks us for coming out and celebrating with them as they tell us that there have been so many iconic bands who have graced this stage as she teases there might be a new album by the time they come back. A punchy snare drum kick gets the juices flowing as the band lead us through this set ending track as Bria leans in and lets her awesome vocals lead the track as we feel the energy oozing towards us as we sing along to the words to this kick ass track, the dark, meaty bassline drops in with a real funk laden tone that works so well with the slick, crisp guitar licks that are easing their way through the venue as Bria strums on her guitar and belts out the words at the top of her lungs. The place has certainly been entertained for sure and if you can you must catch this kick ass little band as they are going to be huge mark my words.

Better Joy –

Bria – Vocals / Guitar

Darragh – Guitar

Kyle – Bass

Jamie – Drums

Setlist –

This Part Of Town

Situations

Big Thief

Plugged In

Could’nt Run Forever

Quiet Thing