Biffy Clyro, Soft Play, The Armed – Co-op Live, Manchester – Saturday 17th January 2026

“A LONG WAY FROM THE NIGHT & DAY CAFE…”

BIFFY CLYRO

First show of the year at the Co-op and it’s a day when Manchester, for the time being is declared ‘red’. The Manchester derby earlier on has seen United triumphant so for anyone who fits the bill of being ‘red’ and a Biffy fan has a particular cause to be excited. As Ben Johnson declares from his drum stool at one point, “it’s a long way from the Night & Day Cafe to the Co-op Arena.” Just one more cause for celebration.

The Biffy core trio might currently be down a man and but pay due homage to absent bassist Jimmy Johnson (while taking a second to acknowledge the might of the subbing Naomi) but the extended Biffy big band is a colossal force. The new album Futique is also out in force. Confident enough to kick off with two new songs, the opening sequence is duly impressive.

Always the key moment in a gig when the lights go down, the band come on and the music starts, they’ve obviously given it some thought. The curtain that shields the stage (always an effective production trick, ask Kiss…) dropping to reveal … another curtain in the form of hanging drapes behind which, for the moment unseen, the seven piece outfit swing through A Little Love. “With a little love we can conquer all” might be the newest of the Biffy anthems, encouraging the first flaying arms and singalongs.

FUTIQUE-D

Of course, the drapes rise and fall via a rope/pulley system that creates an effective interchangeable ceiling for the evening. Fully lifted, they reveal sets of steps to upper levels on which the mobile members of the band, in particular the pair of Biffy strings and frontman Simon Neil himself, utilize at different points. With Hunting Season added to the opening flurry, we’re briefly Futique-d before the massive wall of sound that comes with The Golden Rule striking into a half dozen album review of the Biffy catalogue with a punky charge.

After the opening section, Who’s Got A Match is a light touch (with a touch of The Clash and The Levellers) and opportunity for a brief breather. Shot One similarly dials down the intensity. Not a bad thing especially when it leads into Space where the orchestral sweeps are proof that for all the bluff and bluster, and flashing and the strobing lighting effects which are part and parcel of the Biffy experience, the passion of the “there’s always a space in my heart for you” lyrics show a soft underbelly. Many might be returning to the wonderful orchestral version the following morning.

As if we need a release, the opening of Wolves Of Winter warns of the chance to bellow the “We are the wolves of winter, We live in a kingdom of blood” lines and remind the unbelievers of how many Biffy songs are rooted in the subconscious. So much so that the set, along with the new songs slipped in, makes for a huge ‘best of’ collection. Throw in the radio friendly and poppy sequence like the mid set section where the new Friendshipping fits in neatly with the likes of Tiny Little Fireworks, Black Chandelier and Goodbye.

MENTIONS IN DISPATCHES

At this point, note that the band is terrific. Those who join Biffy for the live experience, the in-demand (he’s the latest Cardiac remember?) and hugely reliable long term compadre Mike Vennart deserving of a mention in dispatches. No longer hidden around the darker corners, the staging that comes to a point with Neil at the apex, allows for the band to take up places where they feel more intimate rather than stretched a phone call away across a wide stage. Even the dry ice is broken out for Biblical and the inevitable goosebumpy “whoa-oh-oh” opportunity that’s impossible not to get seduced by even for the hardiest of souls, as the anthems keep on coming.

Those anthems get balanced with lower key offerings yet we’re never too far away from a blast of son et lumiere. Different People a case in point where the opening washes with cathedral textures and then the spiraling guitar riff kicks in. It’s their version of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck. At the massed chorus of “we’re alive tonight” Neil simply leans back, feet apart and beaming and simply thrives on the celebration coming from some terrific backing vocals.

For a finale there’s still several key songs – those songs which that are the first names on the team sheet – to be ticked off. The biggies from Only Revolutions – Mountains, Bubbles, The Captain and a grand finale of Many Of Horror – do the crowd pleasing job for what we’re told is the biggest indoor show that Biffy has ever played. When he says “this is Biblical,” you kind of know that Simon Neil isn’t just introducing a song. He’s making a statement about celebrating the moment.

SOFT PLAY

“There’s another support band to come...”

“Why..?“

The things you overhear at gigs…

A duo that work from the increasingly popular guitar and drums format – they tell us it’s because no-one else wanted to join them…hmmm. Perhaps no-one else could quite match the zany madness and shouty growls of Soft Play that Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent exude. Keen to emphasise they’re definitely not Cockneys – “we’re from KENT! The garden of England!” they go for the heavily tattooed shirtless look. They’re also keen to make the most of the space they’re afforded, not only on, but off stage as both venture into the front of stage pit before Laurie sees the barrier as no barrier. He even gets awash with a beer shower. At “a tenner a pint” that’s quite some sacrifice.

The transition from the intro of All Things Bright And Beautiful into the off kilter All Things with its na-na-na-na-na-na almost tripping into the Batman theme, only goes to establish the contrast between the lush and the visceral. One that that sees Fuck The Hi Hat (a reference to early critics of their stripped back instrumental set up) and their song called Act Violently living up to expectation. Yes they’re shouty and sweary but something like The Hunter and Beauty Quest might be less challenging with a Punky rap cross with Difford & Tilbrook songwriting nous. “You keep it, we don’t want it” is made for chanting with gusto. Soft Play thrive on a no frills, raw and relentless approach; the Derek And Clive of modern Punk Rock with a Metal script logo .

THE ARMED

Half a dozen songs for early arrivals who want a good spot at the barrier or a sit down after a trip into/out of town, maybe on a tin full of people (aka the Metrolink tram). The Armed – “the world’s greatest band” but also a quirky American hardcore punk musical collective – are ‘sensitive’ to the days football. “Who won the football match?” and “well, we’re on that side,” confirms them as keen to please. Adding “three more songs to come – we’ll be quick,” sees them realistically (and honestly) admit that they’re not the main attraction. They race through a ten minute finale yet seem determined to enjoy their slot and live up to the apocalyptic nature of their recent album title, The Future Is Here And Everything Needs To Be Destroyed.

A philosophy of providing a barrage of often feedback enhanced anarchy pervades the warm up music tonight. The Armed’s coming alongside the focal point of a (unnamed) guitarist seemingly bent on high stepping around the space in a therapeutic fashion and one which might well earn admiring glances from members of Idles, as his colleagues ramped out the fast and furious bombardment.

All photography by Andy Pountney (Event Photography Awards Winner 2024 and 2025). You can check out more of his work on shot_in_the_dark_photography2 on Instagram.

Biffy Clyro: Website

Soft Play: Website

The Armed: Website