LIVE REVIEW: HIMALAYAS, PAVÉ, Bodywater, The Bread Shed, Manchester, 30/05/25
Photo Credit: Andy Ford
There’s something electric about walking into smaller venues like The Bread Shed in Manchester on a Friday night. Home to a three to four hundred capacity space made us feel like it set the tone for an intimate night, where no moment felt wasted, and everyone could let their hair down and truly enjoy the moment. On this evening, Bodywater, PAVÉ and HIMALAYAS turned the venue into a place where rock, rhythm and reckless abandon could be celebrated.
Horror rock duo Bodywater opened the night with a theatrical flair. Before they took to the stage, a chilling voice-over played in the background and set the tone for their 80’s slasher-movie, sultry aesthetic. Vocalist Cerys and Eli’s stage presence reminded us of Joan Jett mixed with The Hex Girls. Bodywater started their performance with Taste, the song is exactly what the audience would expect. It is filled with a catchy chorus and leaves none to the imagination when they often explore darker and theatrical themes of true crime and serial killers. As they performed, the stage was laced with blue and red lighting that flickered like the crowd was in an 80’s horror film. During their performance, the duo teased the crowd into their hypnotising web by saying, “Come closer, we don’t bite“. Before the song Will You Be My Frankenstein, the audience was asked to raise the energy in the room by chanting along to the song. Even though the crowd participation was less compared to the other bands, given they delve more into a bold mix of synth-pop, provocative and a sense of dramatic flair. We thought that the set overall brought a unique and memorable touch to the evening.
Next up were PAVÉ, an alternative rock band from Manchester. The band instantly drew a raw, charismatic sound that channelled bands Yonaka and Dead Pony. PAVÉ was also thrilled to be back playing in their hometown, and from the first guitar riff, the band made it clear that they knew how to exactly command a room. Throughout the set, the lighting remains solid and tight, matching the sound of the instruments of the bass and drums. As they clearly pulsed beneath the gritty guitar lines and strong vocals from Alanya-Jade. During the band’s performance, they played an unreleased song called Into The Ether, which showcased themes of internal struggle and hopelessness, with the added pressure to meet expectations. Especially with the lyrics of “I didn’t have the guts to tell/I didn’t want to let you down“. Alanya-Jade also took the time to connect with the crowd as she asked for a disposable film camera to be passed around so that people in the audience could capture the moment, giving a particular wholesome touch. CROWDED ISOLATION was a track on the setlist that made for a drum dominating force paired with emotionally fierce filled lyrics. PAVÉ gave off the impression that they are sure of themselves as a band and one for people to watch out for.
Finally, it was the time that we had been anticipating for. To see HIMALAYAS, the Welsh rock band who took the stage by storm. A band who have previously opened for the likes of Foo Fighters and Manic Street Preachers, and each time we have seen them, they always put on a fantastic performance. HIMALAYAS kicked things off with their first song, Beneath the Barrel, which is also the opening song for their newest album, Bad Star. It showcased an angsty and brooding opener for the set as it was full of grit and suspense, which we immediately felt and lured the audience into a heavy and raw atmosphere. What we enjoyed most about the show is that the band played a collective mix of songs from their previously acclaimed debut album, From Hell To Here and Bad Star. Songs like Alone kept the intensity while adding a personal element of the feeling of isolation, as vocalist Joe Williams sings, “Headfirst where no one knows/Maybe we’re better off alone“. Leave This Place is a fan favourite, as it encapsulates the sense of defiance, tension, and rock-and-roll edge, with its flare of catchy guitar riffs and drumbeats which are paired well with William’s vocals and the lyrics of, “I never wanted to care/But you made me feel this way“, which capture the feeling of attachment and regret but also a hint of hope and desire for change. The song Somebody Else contains chugging and distorted guitar riffs and gritty vocals to carry the mood of frustration at the end of the song, William even jumps at the chance to get into the crowd and exclaims, “We are going to have a good night”. Their newer songs, such as Twisted Reflections, Heavy Weather, and What If…?, brought a melodic yet crushing feeling with themes of inner turmoil, rebellion, and modern pressures perfectly, giving alt anthems and existential rock in terms of tone and soundscapes. A miniature mosh pit even exploded into action when the band called for one. HIMALAYAS ended their performance with the song From Hell to Here, with the added element of the rendition of Gangsta’s Paradise. Making it the last time for the band to give it their all. The bold sounding closer met with hands in the air and sweat-drenched grins from the audience who followed suit.
Overall, Bodywater brought the eerie glam, PAVÉ proved their hometown hero status, and HIMALAYAS showed everybody why they have outgrown smaller venues and are destined to perform on much bigger stages.
Written By: Zena Morris
