Hot off the release of Ö, for the second time in six months, Fcukers performed a headline show a Manchester venue, this time stepping it up to sell out the 1,300-capacity New Century Hall. Immediately as they arrived onstage, it was like no other gig: any question as to whether they are a live band or a dance music act was settled as they proved that they are both.
Walking into New Century Hall, audience members were greeted by the sight of baggy jeans, cat-eye sunglasses, and studded belts in a mirror of the band, or more specifically, frontwoman Shannon Wise’s signature style characterised by an effortless coolness. Entering the main room, the place was packed; no one had wasted time trying to get as close to the front barrier as possible.
It felt more like walking into a rave than a gig, and Fcukers came on in a blaze of flashing white lights, inspiring immediate jumping and dancing. Wise was right at the front of the stage, jumping and dancing whilst singing hit after hit. Multi-instrumentalist Jackson Walker Lewis, just behind her, was switching between bass and synth, carrying the melodies and at several times strolling to the front of the stage to dance with the crowd.
There was no encore, but it was clear as they finished with ‘Bon Bon’ that the band did not need one. Fcukers came on in a frenzy of flashing white lights with a hit, and they exited the stage in just the same way with an effortless aura that many are now trying to replicate. A few hours later, Fcukers went on to play a free afterparty at YES Pink Room on the other side of the city centre. Queues lined the stairwell, and the smoke-filled room became packed. Instead of cooling off the night, they ended it in a way that made it feel as though it was just getting started, with remixes of their own songs including ‘if you wanna party, come over to my house’ which sent the crowd wild.
Fcukers have been destined for greatness for a few years now, having supported fellow electro-pop titans Confidence Man on their UK tour at the end of 2024. Now, though, it seems as though they’re coming into this greatness, playing venues with four-figure capacities and easily filling them out. Judging by the reaction at their show and their afterparty, they have built a dedicated, adoring fanbase, and the high quality of their recorded music and live performance proves they’re here to stay.
