If you keep up with the world of metalcore, you’ve likely heard about Canadian band Spiritbox who are dominating the scene after the release of their album Eternal Blue. Tonight’s sold-out show at Victoria Warehouse is the band’s first appearance in Manchester, and also their biggest headline show to date, which is a testament to how much their popularity has snowballed over the last few months.
Openers were fellow Canadian’s Brand of Sacrifice, delivering gut-punching deathcore to warm up the crowd both in spirit and with sweat from compulsory circle pits. Next, Liverpool-based Loathe bring northern familiarity and a slight change in pace. Their melodic mix of nu-metal and electronic features ethereal synth to complement the dynamic mix of clean and unclean vocals.
Following a US headline tour, straight into supporting Ghost and Bring Me The Horizon across Europe, Spiritbox have finally landed in Manchester. They’re welcomed with open arms by an eager three and a half thousand-strong crowd, tightly packed between the exposed brick walls of Victoria Warehouse. The quartet launch headfirst into the first three songs of the night, opening with ‘Rule of Nines’, ‘Hurt You’ and ‘Yellowjacket’. Recent release The Void hits the spot as frontwoman Courtney LaPlante graces us with irresistibly cool dance moves. LaPlante declares it’s their first time in Manchester stating “Better late than never!”, as their previous UK tour supporting After the Burial was interrupted by the pandemic. Since then the band has developed an audience notably bigger than the 500-capacity venue they were booked to play, and it’s very well deserved.
Next, angelic ‘Halycon’ is followed by fan-favourite ‘Circle with Me,’ as the breakdown “I held the power of a dying sun / I climb the altar and I claim my place as God” rips into your soul (in a good way). It’s only right that we circle pit in solidarity. The second of Spiritbox’s new releases, ‘Rotoscope,’ brings a calmer, more seductive melody, and time for more mesmerising dancing from LaPlante. Thunderous ‘Silk in the Strings’ contrasts with pop-rock adjacent Secret Garden, where her clean vocals shine.
“This one’s for those of you who have been with us since birth” introduces ‘The Mara Effect, Part 3,’ the only track played from their self-titled debut album Spiritbox. “We only have four songs left, what could they be?” teases LaPlante. “You’ve been patient, but I know what you really want,” she says, dangling the carrot over our heads. ‘Holy Roller’ delivers chaos to a ravenous crowd, the screen ablaze with images of fire and destruction which perfectly describe the impact. A climax of energy, the rest of the performance allows for a moment of calm, with new single ‘Hysteria’.
“The last two songs are slower, as there are ways to appreciate heavy music without a breakdown,” says LaPlante, which is a refreshing take and undeniably true. The performance ends with hauntingly beautiful ‘Constance,’ revealed to be in memory of her late grandmother, and finally, ‘Eternal Blue,’ dedicated to “those who feel they don’t have a place in this world.”
The combination of LaPlante’s unbeatable range of uniquely powerful vocals works in perfect harmony alongside heavy, grunting guitar riffs of husband Mike Stringer. The sound of Spiritbox is destined to fill a venue of this stature, if not bigger, and bless all those who are here to witness it.
