With a total of 13 songs in their set, there was never a boring moment — Boston Manor as a whole was entertaining and put on a hell of a show, surpassing expectations.
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Must See
Boston Manor with Anxious, Higher Power and Trash Boat
Hawthorne Theatre // Portland, OR // April 30, 2022
Review by Bruna Cucolo
It’s been almost three years since the Blackpool, England band came out on tour to the U.S. And nearly three years later, the band has once again played a familiar venue to them in Portland, Oregon on April 30 — Hawthorne Theatre. Now signed with SharpTone Records, Boston Manor had set out on their North America Spring 2022 tour stopping in both the U.S. and Canada. Accompanying them on the road are Anxious, Higher Power and Trash Boat. Together, the four bands put on a wildly energetic show.
Anxious, the first opener, started the night off strong. Cymbals were played first, then a guitar joined in, then the full band was playing together. Right away their energy was high getting the crowd to jump and a mosh pit going, the audience was very into it. Although called Anxious, the room was anxiety free with the atmosphere they created from the start. Next on stage was Higher Power, and before you knew it, a mosh pit was already happening during their first song. They kept the energy going within the crowd with lots of jumping and moshing, and for a brief moment the lead singer pointed the microphone to a fan who sang into it, an exciting moment for that individual. Trash Boat was the last opener. They had a large banner covering the back wall of the stage with their name printed on it. There was a mysterious music played which got louder, then suddenly it went silent as the band got on stage and the music resumed, followed by Trash Boat beginning their performance. Like the previous band, there was already a mosh pit as they played their first song. With a slightly longer set than the first two openers, Trash Boat still kept the high energy going throughout their time on stage with audience members jumping, singing along and moving around. By the time their set was over, one would think that the crowd had nothing left in them, but they’d be wrong.
The headliner’s banner appeared where the previous one was hung. In large capital letters was “BOSTON MANOR” written with a face wearing a ski mask placed underneath the words. An audio with mysterious music played through the speakers, and suddenly the English band was on stage performing “Burn You Up.” From the beginning of their set on, the energy both onstage and throughout the venue was at an absolute high. There was crowdsurfing, multiple mosh pits, flashing lights from above the stage adding to the excitement in the room and loud singing along to all their music. At one point frontman Henry Cox even got the crowd to split right down the middle and run toward each other during a song. The fans were stoked about it.
The band performed several songs across their discography including “England’s Dreaming,” “Lead Feet,” “Desperate Pleasures” and “You, Me & the Class War.” Boston Manor also played their brand new single “Foxglove” which the crowd was very into, many already knowing the lyrics. With a total of 13 songs in their set, there was never a boring moment — the band as a whole was entertaining and put on a hell of a show, surpassing expectations.
The North America tour is unfortunately almost to an end. But they’re not done yet. This summer they will be playing across Europe and the U.K. Tickets can be purchased here. Whether a complete Boston Manor fan or just thinking about catching them live, it is highly recommended to see one of their shows. You’ll leave the concert sad that it’s over but filled with pure joy to have experienced it.
