FLORENTENES TAKE ON MANCHESTER'S GORILLA ONCE AGAIN 27/03

Opening the night at the lively Manchester Gorilla, Florentenes, a fast-rising Bolton-based four-piece delivered a tight, confident set that immediately justified the early queue outside the venue. The teenage indie-rock band emerged onstage to a steadily growing crowd, with the band launching into their first song of the night, The News with a clarity and polish that felt far beyond typical supportact expectations. Their clean, melodic indie rock sound with more punchy live edge sat comfortably in the room with the crowd of all ages nodding their heads along to the rhythm and vibe the band exuded. By the time they moved through their second newest release Madeline and the unreleased track War Horse, the audience had noticeably shifted from casual onlookers to fully engaged listeners, with Madeline especially resonating with the crowd as the band’s fun, young energy giving cause to all the mixed crowd to dance along to. Gorilla can be an unforgiving space for openers, but Florentenes handled it with ease, filling the venue with a sense of purpose, with their charismatic and fun charm rather than just warming it up

As the set progressed, the band leaned into their strengths: crisp guitar lines from guitarist Luke Holding, steady rhythmic drive, and a frontman (Will Smith) who knew how to hold attention without overplaying it. Tracks like Fuel for the Flame, which allowed Luke to shine due to the sharp and emphasised guitar riffs, and the bands newest single release Undiscovered Colours, showcased a band with a clear identity all whilst slowing the set down slightly to connect with fans; while The Gun brought a darker, more urgent tone that landed particularly well with the crowd, due to sounding similar to indie giants Arctic Monkeys’ early work. The band finished on a strong note with an untitled new song, that kept a raw and energetic tone to it with bassist Harry Stubbs and 15-year-old phenom Liam Fiddy especially enjoying their time on stage. The new track hinted at a band pushing their sound forward rather than settling into a formula and by the end of their slot, Florentenes had done more than open the night; they’d made a compelling case for why they’re a name worth following as they continue to climb through the UK indie circuit with big festivals, such as the iconic Leeds Festival, already in the books for 2026.