ROCHESTER, NY- On Monday night, western New York saw the return of the alternative rock quintet, Manchester Orchestra, who had slayed the Buffalo over the summer. Hitting the Main Street Armory this time around on their co-headlining tour with the Front Bottoms- with whom they’ve recently released the moody and melodic single “Allentown”- Manchester Orchestra’s live set was surprisingly  full of raw, rich energy.

Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Setlist.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Setlist.

Taking the stage to an already packed house, the band opened their set up with “The Maze”, which is an eerie track from their most recently released LP, A Black Mile to the Surface. “The Maze” seamlessly morphed into  their second song, “The Moth”, and their heavy post-hardcore sonics continued throughout their fourteen song set.

Andy Hull, the frontman for Manchester Orchestra, kicked shit up with a heavy rift as the rest of the guys followed in suit. Considered to be mainly a light-hearted alternative rock collective, I was pleasantly surprised to see and hear how heavy Manchester Orchestra was as the moshing and crowd surfing ensued.

With a vocalist who has a range similar to Robin Pecknold  (Fleet Foxes) and the instrumentals of heavy-hitters like Foo Fighters, Manchester Orchestra crafts an interesting blend of both alternative and indie rock all culminating with a dash of folk in the melting point. Playing to an even larger and more rambunctious audience than last time, Manchester Orchestra gave their fans exactly what they came for and more.

For me, MO’s live rendition of their track “Simple Math” from their third was definitely my favorite part of the performance. An exceptionally epic track that starts off with a light, airy atmosphere, it later speeds up with killer guitar riffs and intense drum licks. With absolutely powerful, bright lights shining down from the rafters illuminated both them and the audience, Manchester Orchestra wrapped up their night with a three song encore of absolute classics i.e.”I Know How to Speak”, “The Gold”, “100 Dollars”. Definitely making a new fan out of me, I will for sure be right in the middle of the mosh next time these kickass rockers come to town next.

Follow Manchester Orchestra on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Manchester Orchestra @ Main Street Armory 12/10/18. Photo by Jackson Fleming (@JacksonHFleming) for www.BlurredCulture.com.