Music, News, Review

Holly Humberstone @ Albert Hall review – An evening with an indie-pop princess

0 221

Featured image and gallery: Gracie Hall


Alaska-based Medium Build, aka Nick Carpenter, opens up the evening with a soulful and rugged set. Carpenter, sporting a blue boiler suit, fills the former church with a growly tone and personal lyrics. ‘Crying Over U’, a song about missing someone deeply, is a standout moment.

Holly Humberstone starts the second leg of her UK tour in Manchester tonight. Having only been releasing music since 2020, Humberstone has seen a speedy rise to fame, appealing to fans of the likes of Maisie Peters and Taylor Swift. Despite the grandeur of the venue, she exudes a down-to-earth charm that makes her instantly relatable. 

Backed by a talented band of Seth Tackaberry on bass, Jack Rennie on guitar and Carpark’s Lauren O’Donnell Anderson on drums, Holly delivers a setlist that showcases her impressive range as a songwriter and a performer. Opening with ‘Paint my Bedroom Black’, the title track of last year’s debut album, she flits from introspective ballads to anthemic indie-pop tracks, each song delivered with an authenticity and raw emotion that resonates. 

Medium Build comes back on stage to duet with Holly during ‘Cocoon’, Humberstone’s whispery vocals blending seamlessly with Carpenter’s rougher cadence. ‘Flatlining’ is a highlight; it’s more beat driven then most of Holly’s output, more akin to the likes of Girl in Red or Olivia Rodrigo, telling a story of a relationship gone bad.

‘Falling Asleep at The Wheel’ and ‘London is Lonely’ are firm crowd pleasers as the entire hall sings like a church choir back to her. With an encore of ‘Friendly Fire’ and crowd activator ‘Scarlett’, the night closes as the audience screams the words she wrote right back at her.

About the author / 

Gracie Hall

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • New Year’s Eve in Manchester: Where is Hot to Go?

    Featured image: WendyWei.pexels With the most anticipated night of the year right around the corner, the big question is looming: where are you going to celebrate it? Whether you dread it or count down the days, are new to the Manchester nightlife scene or are a regular, we’ve got your New Year’s Eve plans sorted….

  • Fashion predictions for 2025

    By Georgia Robinson Featured image and gallery: Ruby Sharp Get one step ahead of your 2025 aesthetic and plan your outfits for the new year with this guide to all the trends we expect to see next year. Why not jazz up your wardrobe with trending accessories or browse Depop and Vinted for a pre-loved…

  • Warehouse Project Presents: The Prodigy @ Depot Mayfield review – a night of war cries and warrior dances from rave electronica pioneers

    Featured image and gallery: Kaitlyn Brockley The rumble of trains passing through Piccadilly station, the hollers of touts (“tickets, buy or sell?”) and security (“have your IDs ready”), and the excitable chatter of gig-goers all audibly backdrop the outskirts of Manchester’s Mayfield Depot this dark, damp evening.  Leaving the outside chill and travelling along the…

  • The QuietManDave Prize crowns 2024 winners

    Featured image and gallery: Leo Woollison Crook Angela Cheveau and Kate Carne were crowned winners of the 2024 QuietManDave Prize on Friday. The short-form writing prize is held biennially to honour the memory of the much-loved and well-known Manchester writer and critic Dave Murray, who passed away in 2019. The writers were each awarded £1000…