Wolfmother hit Manchester on their 2026 European jaunt with The Howlers and Kim Jennett in support. Expect a massive dose of fuzz drenched rock and roll.
KIM JENNETT
North West singer Kim Jennett has been grafting away. Since appearing on The Voice at the turn of the decade and through putting on electric live shows, her star is on the up. She has wowed audiences up and down the land on stages as prestigious as Download Festival; tonight, Manchester gets a shot of Jennett.
Throughout her performance, there is a charm in Jennett’s demeanour. Taking the early slot does not deter her from getting into the crowd and buzzing around the stage like a fly trying to escape a hot room. Her energy is infectious and it is clear that pockets of the crowd are feeding off this. Bloody Killing Floor and Dead To Me are mid set highlights, but the show stealer is that of a cover of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song.
It is an iconic song and one that you know you have to have something special in the locker to do it justice. Not a problem for Kim Jennett. Robert Plant she is not, but she owns it in her own way and showcases her powerhouse range perfectly. The extended jam on the song makes it different and it is a real spine tingling moment. Expect to see much more of Kim Jennett.
THE HOWLERS
The Howlers are a change of pace from the frenetic pace of Kim Jennett. Instead, its meaty riffs and plenty of groove from the London based duo. Sitting somewhere between desert rock and lounge lizard Arctic Monkeys (who themselves hit the desert for their Humbug record), they set about their work with precision.
With a new album on the horizon for later in 2026, it is this that a lot of the set is culled from. Night Crawling, L.A. Morning and Viper are all aired with the crowd growing into the show gradually. They build their own rapport with the audience and demonstrate why the likes of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 have championed them.
Some of the lyrics get a little lost in the live mix as the vocals are paired back, allowing for the monster riffs and drums to dominate. Perhaps this is the intention, as the power is there. Their new album will undoubtedly turn more heads when it arrives.
WOLFMOTHER
It is 21 years since Wolfmother released their incredibly successful self titled debut. It’s also 20 years since this writer last saw the band at Leeds Festival in 2006. Since then, a slew of records and lineup changes have been the story of the band. The constant is singer and guitarist Andrew Stockdale who remains at the forefront of the band.
As frontman, Stockdale has a real Aussie charm and charisma. He cuts shapes throughout and his patter with the crowd is jovial and light. The usual ‘is London better’ jibe comes out for the cheap pop, and namechecking local bands also helps!
That being said, the trio are musically in sync. They play hard as a unit and take the crowd back twenty years playing most of their debut. It is one of the best rock albums of this millennium and clearly helps keep the band thriving with their devout following. It is the second time in two years that they have been through Manchester, and whilst not sold out, the O2 Ritz is still full and the atmosphere is red hot.
ANOTHER DIMENSION
Dimension opens the set and helps propel the audience higher. The ground shakes as the crowd moves and chants back lines from the songs. Following it up with Woman keeps the pace high and serves as the first of many crowd pleasing hits. Another early hit is the garage rock infused Apple Tree. The wild vocal delivery and frenetic tempo is still thrilling two decades on.
In a somewhat surprising twist, Joker & The Thief, arguably Wolfmother’s biggest commercial success, lands early in the set. Not a problem though. Wolfmother have plenty more in the arsenal. White Unicorn is a psychedelic beast and the albums first single, Mind’s Eye is also epic. What Wolfmother do from thereon is just lace their set with some crowd pleasing covers paying homage to their influences. Nods to Oasis, The Doors, AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin are all present. They all help create and build a special atmosphere that leaves no doubt as to just how good a live band Wolfmother are.
For all the playfulness, it is on their own material that they end. New Moon Rising from Cosmic Egg (2009) precedes Love Train…another cut from the debut. It is a fitting end in celebration of a brilliant record. Wolfmother left an indelible mark on Manchester and you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll be back in Manchester as fans know they will be in for a great night.
Wolfmother: Website
The Howlers: Website
Kim Jennett: Website