There seems to be never a moment where a fast-rising alt-pop act isn’t working to have their name in lights, but that’s what makes them all the more undeniable. Balu Brigada’s biggest break to date came from opening for Twenty One Pilots in 2024, which subsequently blew every door in front of them clear off their hinges. Ever since, their crusade across mainstream-adjacent spaces hasn’t stopped, or even took a glimpse towards petering out. Their moment is definitely now, only bolstered by their debut Portal last year, and the extra few revs that’s given to their momentum. It’s yielded a pretty sizable UK tour for them right now, arriving in Manchester’s Academy 2 and shot by Ben Whitehurst.










Photos by Ben Whitehurst (Instagram)






