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It’s a spring evening at Manchester Academy 2, and there is a stir of anticipation. An amicable, yet certainly eager crowd flock to the front of the sold-out venue, itching to secure a satisfactory view of the stage. Of course, Balu Brigada are worth the urgency. Formed in 2016 by multi-instrumentalist brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley, the pair have reached new heights since the release of their 2025 indie-pop album, Portal.
Support act Ryeberry amplifies the existing energy and anticipation, bringing the room to another level with his bass-heavy set and contagious movement. Not only does his set succeed in piquing the crowd’s interest, but his interactions with them secure their fondness, particularly as he encourages the audience to introduce themselves to each other, making for a truly memorable opener.
It’s a long way from home for the New Zealand-hailing brothers, though they are far from shy. Oozing with confidence and a hint of subtle swagger, Balu Brigada mark their entrance with opening track ‘The Portal’ from their latest record.
“It’s basically a Saturday,” Henry, the older brother remarks on the brink of a bank-holiday Monday, receiving bellows and whoops from the crowd before him.
Momentum is key for the brothers with rapid and flowing transitions from track to track, forming a bouncy and fiery atmosphere. This is seen especially with ‘Designer’, one of the band’s viral tracks, inciting an increased sense of movement and vibrancy within the crowd.
Tracks from Portal establish the band’s signature style, combining dashes of groove and funk alongside full beats, allowing the duo to showcase their raw edge with a playful and eccentric twist. ‘Backseat’ offers an intense and euphoric experience with its fast-paced tempo, deep bass and raw vocals, heightened further by striking red lighting. Meanwhile, ‘4:25’ receives high reception with its consistent tempo and strong beats, proving strong chemistry between the two brothers as they jammed together, facing one another.
Tied with indie-funk hits, the band incorporate humour and a personable approach in their set, with youngest brother Pierre joking how he spilled two drinks within five minutes, improvising a song about the tragedy. This off-the-cuff song certainly wins the hearts of the crowd, with one fan bellowing, “Best song yet!”
The band’s creativity does not stop there, however, as they follow later with a cover of Gorillaz track, ‘Dare’, which blended seamlessly into their funky, indie approach.
Ending with fan-favourite, ‘So Cold’ the band conclude their set with a vigorous finish, but not before returning for an encore with a cover of Daft Punk’s ‘Robot Rock’ and ‘Find a Way’ from their 2023 EP, wielding a perfect mix of electronic and indie. Upon the last track, Henry steps down from the stage, immersing himself into the audience with his guitar, marking a potently powerful conclusion to their set.
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