Canadian metal heroes Kittie return to a sold out Manchester after dazzling Bloodstock Festival performance. Up and coming metal mob Split Chain and goth mistress Harpy are in support.

HARPY

A little over a year ago, At The Barrier witnessed Harpy’s Download Festival performance. Needless to say, we were bowled over. ‘I didn’t think so many people would be here so early,’ she says as she throws herself into her thirty minute support spot.

With a slew of singles and an EP in the discography, Harpy deals in a dastardly blend of industrial, electronic, darkwave and metal. Sonically, think Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Bring Me The Horizon, Lady Gaga, Skynd, Cassyette, Poppy…thematically, this is a wonderful mix of ethereal gothic grandeur. 

‘Mommy wants a circle pit!’ says Harpy as she sets up her closer, Slaughterhouse. This is after a completely intoxicating rendition of one of her finest tracks to date, Last Time. Harpy has a great presence and knows how to entertain. A great opening set.

SPLIT CHAIN

Hailing from Bristol, Split Chain clearly have their own fans in this evening. They’ve got previous with Manchester having played at festivals such as Outbreak. Incidentally, they are also back in Manchester on September 20th at Deaf Institute.

But to tonight. With a couple of old school TV’s flickering onstage, the quintet blast out of the blocks, all guns blazing. They throw themselves about with reckless abandon and instil an energy in the crowd that never abates.

Vocalist, Bert Martínez-Cowles, is magnetic as he jumps, kicks and leaps about the stage. It is hard to stop the adrenaline flowing. Not for the first time on this evening, we hear a track called SPIT. It showcases the power of Split Chain as well the ‘gaze’ elements they throw in.

Deftones are a touchpoint, as are Static-X and Slipknot. Split Chain rile up the crowd in the right way; they ask for first time crowd surfers and encourage the crowd to circle, jump and just generally get involved. bored. tired. torn. is another set highlight. It’s taken from their 2025 album, motionblur, which will be reissued as a deluxe edition in September.

KITTIE

Kittie are fighters. For thirty years, they have fought against the tides of the music industry, muting naysayers whilst proving people wrong. After bursting onto the scene the late 90’s/early 00’s, the road they have travelled has been one wrought with many trials and tribulations, but in 2026, Kittie are having a resurgence. Their Spit XXV EP has thrown new light on some of the classics and from the people in attendance, there are plenty of new fans who will have never seen Kittie before.

When they hit the stage in Manchester, the roar is huge. Entering the stage one by one, the quartet, fronted by Morgan Lander, waste no time and build on the momentum that Split Chain and Harpy have grown before them.

Their latest album, Fire, was a return after a lengthy hiatus. It is from this album that Kittie kick off; the title track serving as a blistering and driving opener. They then fly into the title track of 2011’s I’ve Failed You. Manchester is already on fire with the opening. When Cut Throat hits, there is already an air of ‘this is going to be special’ in the air. Morgan Lander really shows her skill in shifting vocal styles throughout the night, but Cut Throat really emphasises this. It also gives Tara McLeod the platform to peel off one of many solos.

SPIT

For those here for their first Kittie encounter or those stalwart fans, Spit is greeted like an old friend. Following it with Do You Think I’m A Whore is a great setlist 1-2.

From here on in, the setlist is a masterfully crafted mixing a wide array of cuts from the discography. Spit and I’ve Failed You songs make up half the set. Empires Pt. 2 again shows Morgan’s vocal prowess, as well as proving a standout moment for her sister, Mercedes, behind the drums. Ivy Jenkins underpins everything on bass, allowing for Kittie’s groove to show. Burning Bridges takes us back to 2004 with a supremely heavy version of the song. The song has a bit of a death metal feel as Kittie really turn it up to 11.

What I Always Wanted and main set closer, Mouthful Of Poison, represent how great Kittie’s Oracle record is. Again, the energy in the room is huge, and this all before, arguably, the bands biggest song.

When the Canadians return for their encore, they deliver Brackish – the song that put Kittie on the map. Manchester is emphatically unglued. It is a pleasure to see a band with such a history still delivering and getting the adulation they deserve. If this night in Manchester is anything to go by, Kittie could just be getting started. They have a great lineup and they clearly have loyal fan base that will support them unequivocally.

Kittie, you are great! Please come back to Manchester soon.

Kittie: Website

Split Chain: Website

Harpy: Linktree

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