LIVE REVIEW: Evie Moran @ Band on the Wall, Manchester

Soul-crushing lyricism, angelic voices, and enchanting tunes- what more could you ask for on a Wednesday night in Manchester. This was exactly what dreamy, folky, singer-songwriter, Evie Moran, delivered as well as her opening act, Bryony Lloyd, at Band on The Wall, in the heart of the Northern quarter. Behind its rainbow painted doors beheld a show just as colourful. 

Photo Credit: Jake Cook

With a low-lit ambience, opener Bryony Lloyd joined the stage, bringing audience murmurs to a halt. A sixties aura was projected through her delicate tone, accompanied by a gentle acoustic guitar as her musical craft shone with sincerity. The stripped back set was a short but heavenly adventure, filled with lyrics such as, “It’s okay to be this way, to love the colour grey”, the occasional dash of whimsy, and the streams of sweetness that poured from each sound that Lloyd played and sung. 

As one door of euphoric acoustics came to a close, another one opened as Moran’s band joined the stage. Ominous guitar chords and bass creeped into play, and with her poetry book in hand emerged Moran as she shared: “These are the scenes from the subconscious”. We soon became transported into her world, a world that gleamed with her celestial vocals, jabbed you at the heartstrings, and hypnotised you with the band’s instrumentals that seamlessly melted together. 

Photo Credit: Jake Cook

There was not a single word that flowed from Moran’s lips to our minds that was wasted. Thought- provoking, vulnerable, and entrancing lyrics like, “I would never want to feel the way I did without you” sang through her velvety vocals, amongst the captivating chords drenched us in pure yearning romance. At the heart of Moran’s songwriting stood her ability to be specific; despite the dim venue, vibrant pictures were painted as her mesmerising collection of songs moved us to an ethereal garden of blooming passion. 

Moran’s interludes of poetry were bold, empowering, and poignant, especially as she spoke the line: “I finished The Bell Jar last week, is this the fate of every ambitious woman?” With these extra pockets of Moran’s psyche, it was clear to see that she was not just a robot on stage, performing for the vibes, aesthetic, or sake of it, but a real human being, bursting with grace and spark as she shared her personal craft; an immersive treat for all of the senses. 

Excitingly, Moran revealed that her debut EP will be coming in August, with a new single to be released in July. This will be her first release since 2022, and this gig truly emphasised that this will not be music to be missed!