10cc – The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester – 17th March 2026
A GRAND EVENT
Bridgewater Hall has a way of making the even biggest acts feel close and intimate, and on this night that feel became the heart of the show. With Andy Park opening and 10cc headlining, the evening unfolded with a gentle and inviting charm. From the first and to the last notes it felt less like a grand event and more like a shared moment between the audience and the band.
Andy Park opened the evening with the kind of ease that softens the room. When he took his spot on the stage it did not feel like he was trying to win the crowd over, he simply allowed his presence and music to do the work. Switching between different instruments during his set he moved through five songs that helped the audience learn who he is. His music made Bridgewater Hall a beautiful but large venue feel intimate and warm. You could tell Andy Park was not just an opener, he felt more like an extension of the night and an artist who belonged there.
What stood out the most was how comfortable Andy Park seemed on stage. Andy Park seemed to carry himself with a calm but confident charm, a charm that comes from someone who enjoys being on stage. Nothing he did on stage felt forced or overly polished, he cracked up jokes and encouraged the audience to be involved with his set. It felt refreshing watching Andy Park performing on stage sharing his music and passion in front of an audience. With an EP on the way and a close connection with the band Andy Park felt like less of a support act and more of a complementary aperitif.
PRESENCE
10cc arrived on stage with such a strong presence, it did not take the band long to get into the music and it did not take long either for the audience. You could not help but be absorbed into the music. When they covered Bus Stop by the Hollies, a classic they had helped write and bring to life, it was a quiet reminder of how deep the band’s songwriting legacy is. The band themselves have so many iconic songs and songs that nearly everyone knows but it is nice to be reminded how much more they, or Grahma Gouldman, have done.
When watching the band on the stage you could not help but notice how much fun they were having, and also how much they seemed to enjoy each other’s company up there. I think that helps to make a performance so engaging. Silly Love was a personal highlight. Watching 10cc on stage line up with their guitars in their hands and running to and from the keyboard really tied this whole song together.
There was also a sense of transition woven into the night. The new drummer brought a fresh energy to the band whilst the former drummer watched from the audience. It was nice to see this band’s legacy continuing on and still being performed on stage. For Somewhere In Hollywood the band had Kevin Godley performing on the screen.
CONNECTIONS
Seeing the audience so involved with the music and the band, you could really see the connection the audience has to the band and the songs. When the band walked off stage everyone in the venue was on their feet giving the band a huge ovation. It felt special being able to witness a band being so loved by their fans. Almost every gig I go to I do see the love and adoration the fans have, but for this audience, 10cc have been around for decades yet retain their devoted fanbase.
By the time they got to the encore, the entire audience were on their feet singing and dancing. It made the encore feel electric and made it feel more like a celebration instead of a goodbye. Watching Donna being performed a cappella felt so fun and electric. Seeing this song come to life on stage, stripped back and done playfully you couldn’t help but sing and laugh along.
As the encore came to an end, 10cc took their final bows. The roar from the audience was deafening, seeing everyone standing up and cheering this band was a gentle reminder of how special and important this night and tour is to fans.
A SPECIAL NIGHT
Andy Park’s warmth and 10cc’s humor on stage helped to add up to a special night. It was the kind of show that did not need to be a huge spectacle to make an impact, it simply invited fans to come to Bridgewater Hall and celebrate the band, the music
There was comfort in the familiarity of the songs, having grown up with them and my first ever vinyl purchase being a 10cc album it felt such an honor watching them performing live. Being able to see the audience enjoy the music 10cc have created decades after they have been released, I felt warmth in knowing and appreciating the band’s legacy that still continues. The whole evening was a reminder that the most memorable gigs are the ones where the musicians and the music speak for themselves and not try to be something that they aren’t.
10cc: Website