Some nights warm you up gently. This one eased you in, then grabbed you by the collar and finally cracked your heart open a bit. Oh also it was a complete sell out gig at the Coppers Bar Tuesday night.
Mark Kelly
Mark opened the evening straight in from Switzerland and straight into the room. A familiar face from a few Manchester bands, but this felt like a proper reset. His voice didn’t push, it travelled, drifting calmly across the crowd like it knew exactly where it was going.
He chatted about a three-day digital detox, which somehow felt completely believable, and then introduced his banjo, Henry, named after his dad… or possibly his dog. Either way, Henry did a stellar job.
There are clear echoes of John Butler Trio and Ben Harper in his sound, but it never feels like cosplay. Coming Home leaned into his love for Manchester and you could hear the sincerity in every note. He clearly believes in what he writes and that passion carries the set.
Dry Mouth really stood out for me, a strong, confident tune that lingered long after it ended. Seventeen years away and he returns sounding grounded, assured, and genuinely present. A lovely, warm opener that set the tone perfectly. I was ready for the beer-drinking louts to follow.
Frank and the Beats`
Frank arrived with clean shoes, dirty glasses as useual , and zero intention of easing in. From the off there were nods of approval rippling through the crowd. These lads are one of the tightest bands I’ve seen in a long time. Locked in, sharp, and clearly loving it.
The Day I Met DeVinci landed and I was physically pushed aside so people could dance in front of me. That’s when you know the fans have arrived. Shoot the Cameras followed, their top tune on Spotify, and the sing-along confirmed what was already obvious. This band has a proper following.
Never Forget Where You Come From made me crave a dangerously good curry from The Kean’s Head in Nottingham. If you know, you know. If you don’t, fix that next time you’re in Notts. Frank’s hometown, by the way.
Through the Night kept the energy bubbling before I Found Heaven pushed it even further. Recorded just last Friday, which makes its confidence even more impressive. There’s momentum here and it’s gathering speed.
Life Will Be the Death of Me might be my favourite of the set. That sentiment hits hard and resonates deeply. Lullaby followed, beautifully written, beautifully sung, moving the crowd with a gentle REM-like familiarity.
Careful What You Wish For closed things out as a strong, bouncy finish to a seriously solid supporting set. Honestly, they might be the best new band of 2025. Best of luck to them in 2026, though I suspect they won’t need much of it.
NAOMI KALU
Then came Naomi, and the room shifted.
There was something quietly significant about seeing her here. The Copper Bar holds a special place in Naomi’s heart. It’s where she made her live debut, and you could feel that history humming under the surface. This wasn’t just another gig, it felt like a full-circle moment.
A dynamic multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Naomi moves effortlessly between vocalist, acoustic guitarist and pianist. Her sound pulls from across genres, soulful at its core but rhythmically rich, blending indie, folk, alternative, soul, and flashes of punk energy when it suits. A rising presence in Manchester’s grassroots scene, she owns the stage with a magnetic calm, drawing the crowd in without ever needing to demand attention.
She opened with Never Last, immediately setting a different emotional temperature. From there into Home, the room leaned in, quieter now, more attentive. Her voice is powerful but never forced, full of emotion and authenticity. You can hear why comparisons get made. Tracy Chapman in the tone, Lauryn Hill in the presence, but it never feels like imitation. There’s too much of her own character running through it.
Sweet and Supple followed, bringing a romantic softness that felt tailor-made for a first dance at a spring wedding. Unless you’re a metalhead. Even then, it might still sneak under your skin.
With Better People, she painted a hopeful, almost nostalgic picture of the world. A vision where everyone’s trying a bit harder, being a bit kinder. It’s joyfully naive in the best possible way. Somewhere along the line I need to clean the punk rock earwax out of my ears and let my heart back in. Music like this helps. Know You Knew You kept that emotional thread tight.
Debut EP Time
The new EP Seas Are Rising became one of the most affecting moments of the night. A beautifully written track about recognising the struggles ahead but holding onto a positive glow for what’s coming. There’s a maturity to her writing that feels earned, not rushed.
Then came the flip flop of the EP Don’t Look in the Mirror, a sharp left turn I wasn’t expecting. The tempo shifted, pulling in two-tone and ska edges, brushing right up against punk. It was fun, bold, and a perfect showcase of her genre-blending spirit.
What began as mesmerising solo performances has clearly evolved into something bigger. With her full band behind her, the sound expands and contracts effortlessly. Jazzy drum grooves, atmospheric synths, textured electric guitar, introspective bass and the warmth of acoustic guitar all weaving together. They move from intimate to expansive, from reflective to high energy, keeping the room locked in from start to finish.
Naomi’s journey so far speaks for itself. From performing at festivals like Manchester International Festival, Moovin Festival, Sheba Arts Festival and Shy Fest, to sharing stages with artists such as Liam Bailey, Pan Amsterdam, Jeremiah Ferrari and Lou Gold, she’s built this moment brick by brick. Radio support across Tameside Radio, Reform Radio, Fab Radio and ALL FM hasn’t hurt either.
The crowd begged for more, and rightly so. Naomi Kalu and her band don’t just perform, they create an experience. One that rolls emotion, raw energy and presence into something genuinely hypnotic.
With her debut EP landing on 3rd February 2026, this felt like a marker in the ground rather than a destination. A reminder that Manchester’s grassroots scene is still quietly producing artists who mean it.
And Naomi Kalu is very much one of them.
PHOTO CREDIT – SIMON LEE
FOLLOW FRANK AND THE BEATS HERE
FOLLOW NAOMI KALU HERE
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