Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse hosted the four bands Siamese, Lionheart, Nevertel, and the band that won the Heavy Music Award for Best UK Live Act of 2025, Bury Tomorrow, on 17th October. It’s a venue known to divide fans; you either love it or hate it with no middle ground. However, it paved the way for setting the stage for the band to headline and showcase exactly why they deserved to win this award.
The first band to perform was Denmark’s Siamese, who I first saw earlier this year at the Rebellion. Vocalist Mirza Radonjica made the very same joke about playing the venue a million times. One aspect that was notably different from the previous set this year was that there was a violinist performing throughout, levelling up the atmospherics the band delivers and pairing it with red lighting that bathed the stage.
Chemistry kicked off the set, embodying Siamese’s signature electronic soundscapes, djent-infused punchy riffs, and reverbs paired with Radonjica’s soaring vocals. They grabbed the audience’s attention straight away, especially with the catchy chorus. Siamese then treated the audience to a new and unreleased song, Drown. Instantly, it brought a heavier tone to their performance, personally one of their heaviest songs to date. It contained a perfect balance of harsh and clean vocals from Radonjica and was accompanied by an atmospheric soundscape. The repetition of the word “drown” created a sense of vulnerability and intensity.
Continuing this theme of intensity was This Is Not A Song, which ignited a mosh pit and depicted themes of defiance and self-expression. The heavy groove of the song amped up the crowd. They closed the performance with Ocean Bed, where not only did the violinist return, but the audience was also treated to a guest appearance from Bury Tomorrow’s clean vocalist Tom Pendergast. It marked a collaborative and melancholy finale for Siamese.
Given that they played a larger stage, one they did not seem fully used to, I must admit that the instrumentals were more prominent than the vocals in some places. Still, they delivered an engaging performance.
Up next was the American beatdown hardcore band Lionheart. From the get-go, they showcased a set full of aggression, attitude, and groove. The band immediately asked the crowd to open the pit as they launched into DEATH COMES IN 3’S, depicting their Bay Area hardcore roots with unfiltered, raw, and confrontational energy.
Lionheart’s set took a different direction when bassist Richard Mathews stepped up to take on the vocals, meaning there were only two guitarists. That did not stop them from capturing the band’s hard-hitting attitude. Throughout the set, smoke filled the stage, adding to their rebellious theme and exhilarating instrumentals. During the performance, Mathews shouted, “What the fuck is up, Manchester?” He even attempted to make an Oasis joke, and the crowd instantly booed back in response.
Continuing their set, they played not one but two covers: Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit, which they turned from a nu-metal classic into a hardcore anthem, and Fight For Your Right (To Party) by the Beastie Boys, keeping the crossover spirit alive with a hardcore-meets-punk attitude and a touch of old-school hip-hop tones. Lionheart struck a perfect balance of brutality and nostalgia.
Tonight’s main support act was the Floridian band Nevertel. Compared to the other bands, they leaned into a more melodic route. Sacrifice was a highlight, adding emotional weight and introspection in its themes. Everything In My Mind followed in the same vein, with an atmospheric tone in the intro.
Nevertel also showcased their new song ICON, which gave off a Linkin Park tone, and you can clearly see the influence in their sound. Their set also brought the first crowd-surfer of the night, as the audience began preparing themselves for the headliners, Bury Tomorrow.
For me, it was a shame that Nevertel mostly relied on backing tracks rather than the dominant sound of their instrumentals, as that would have elevated their performance even more. Hopefully, as time goes on, they will find their distinctive style and come back stronger.
Finally, it was time for the audience to witness Southampton’s metalcore band Bury Tomorrow. Before they made their presence known, an eerie Purge-like announcement introduced the first song of the set, Choke. As soon as they hit the stage, it was like a thunderstorm had erupted. Vocalist Dani Winter-Bates demanded the audience open the place up, and they obliged. In response, Winter-Bates called everyone “mad bastards” and exclaimed, “fuck yes, Manchester!” This showed that the Manchester crowd knows how to fuel the fire that Bury Tomorrow creates with their ferocious and fierce presence. Choke was the perfect song to open with, immediate, aggressive, and full of heavy riffs and harsh vocals, including the trademark “blegh”s from Winter-Bates.
What makes Bury Tomorrow’s performance stand out is the way the stage is designed, giving each member an equal opportunity to have their moment. During their performance, Cannibal had to be restarted due to an incident in the crowd, but that did not stop them from showcasing the brutality of the track, which is a fan favourite. Boltcutter continued the heavy, rhythmic tone, lighting up the stage with pyros and adding another element of production.
The set never fell short, as the contrast between Pendergast’s clean vocals and Winter-Bates’ guttural growls balanced perfectly, especially in songs like Let Go and What If I Burn, which brought more melodic and emotional moments compared to the heavier tracks.
Before the set came to an end, Winter-Bates gave an honest and heartfelt speech, touching on what the world is currently going through. He spoke passionately about creating a safer and more inclusive environment, stating that when everything is said and done, we all end up becoming dust, which has no characteristics. He opened up about his past struggles and how working for the NHS has helped him speak with people facing all kinds of challenges. He emphasised that every day should be World Mental Health Day because we have lost too many people, both in the music industry and beyond.
They ended their performance with Abandon Us, combining powerful soundscapes with memorable melodies and leaving the audience on a cathartic, emotionally charged note.
Overall, Bury Tomorrow have outdone themselves. You cannot help but feel alive watching them, left both captivated and moved. They have definitely earned their title as the Best UK Live Act, and from seeing them last year to now, they have clearly stepped up their game. I look forward to seeing where this band goes next.
Words by Zena Morris
Photos by Will Robinson (Instagram)
