Walking in from the cold queue into the venue’s soft, warm lighting immediately ignited the excitement for the evening ahead. Seeing familiar faces as we entered the venue created a community of friends, bonding over the show we were about to witness together.
The rush of seeing a free spot at the centre barricade was the most welcoming, and it became the perfect place for the show. The bars were packed, and everyone smiled and laughed, already in the Christmas spirit. The friendly atmosphere created by the local people made this THE show for us.
Sonne were the first to take the stage, and what a set they gave us! The anticipation of waiting for their opening song bridged from an extended interval of heavy bass and low drum beats – a feeling felt by all. Their biggest supporters stood right behind us, exuberating our own emotions and energy to align with theirs.
The set was fantastic and full of energy, proving to the audience why they were made for the stage. Their most notable work was definitely their leading single, ‘Bear Trap’, infusing a composition of organic guitar and bold vocals of Thomas, the lead singer. An underrated moment was Valentina’s backing vocals, harmonising brilliantly with Tom and her own bass. What worked so well with their set was their engagement with the audience and each other within the band. It was clear from the smiles in the room that everyone benefited from the band’s spark reciprocating in the crowd’s buzz. A work of art to set the tone for the rest of the evening!
Oxygen, the five-piece band from Portsmouth, continued the energy provided by Sonne perfectly with a setlist of six unreleased tracks. Their stage presence was incredible, fully immersing themselves in every song and connecting effortlessly with the crowd. Support acts play a vital role in setting the tone for a night like this, and Oxygen proved exactly why. They created the early atmosphere, which would then continue to grow throughout the night. Closing their set with the unreleased track ‘Without A Trace’ really carried the momentum seamlessly into The Manatees’ performance.
The Manatees took the stage; the lights flashed our faces between purple and blue hues, building up in intensity, increasing our own feelings of excitement. They began with arguably one of our favourite songs, ‘The Sound’, which straight away became the outlook for the rest of the set. It was full of strength and intensity, with Tyler’s and Miller’s hands working magic on their guitars to match Jay’s impressive vocals.
Three songs into the set, and now the crowd was really starting to feed off the band’s energy. The fourth song they were about to perform was then announced – ‘Headspace’, a single released earlier this year on the 24th April. A wave of excitement flooded our bodies; it was one of the tracks we had been most eager to hear. Since the day it was released, hearing it live has been a dream of ours, and it exceeded all of our expectations, just like everything this band does!
A highlight of the set for definite was their new singles of 2025, including ‘Consequence’ and ‘Without You’, both iconic to the newer fans who knew every word. The connection between the band and the audience is something indescribable and deeply rooted in all Southampton shows, and this set was no different. The band visually lit up as the fans were involved in enthusiastic reactions to their performance of these singles.
Moreover, the interactive nature of the band is something we admire most. This was seen through their intermission in the song ‘Dream in Colour’, where the audience all joined in to the associated dance. Fans of all ages raised their hands and moved to the bridge, and in that moment the crowd truly felt like one unified force. Movements across the whole floor could be seen from our spot, and it was so special to witness the bands’ connection and the scale of their achievement.
Ending the set with their most renowned performance of ‘Milan’ was a great way to conclude the night. The Manatees all had their Christmas hats on and threw tinsel into the crowd for everyone to come together and celebrate their year’s success before the festive period. Camera lights shone from every direction, and the stage lights beamed onto a pool of smiles. The first guitar note was played, and everyone broke out into singing the backing vocals, matching the pitch of the instruments. The emotions felt throughout this were so intense and personal. The most memorable moment for sure!
Seeing one of our favourite bands grow from Papillon last year to The 1865 with an expanding fan base and attendees was emotional and something they are so deserving of. Having the opportunity to be able to support a local band on the rise of popularity is one of the greatest privileges. One of the reasons why we absolutely love attending gigs in smaller venues, like those we’re lucky to have in Southampton, is the strong sense of community they create. These venues showcase emerging talent and bring people together in a way larger venues simply can’t. After the performance had ended, we were lucky enough to speak to all the bands that performed this night; each member was genuinely so attentive, making it a pleasure to congratulate them on their achievements.
An iconic lineup, all local to the Southampton and Portsmouth music scene – a great privilege to support the most dedicated and deserving group of artists. It was a night that fans, both old and new, will certainly remember for a very long time.
Words By: Tijana Mitevska & Amber Miller
Photo: Tijana Mitevska
The Noise Exchange 
Leave a comment