FIDLAR at O2 Ritz Manchester review

Image: Alice Baxley

As a band that have been a staple part of the alternative music scene this past decade with tracks such as ‘Wake Bake Skate’ and ‘Max Can’t Surf’ and collaborations with the likes of Kate Nash, there’s a lot of expectations held when entering a FIDLAR gig - even from the name ‘Fuck It Dog, Life’s A Risk’ alone.

You expect it to be rowdy, fun and certainly sweaty. Attention towards them appeared to dwindle over the past few years but in fact their fan base has grown leaps and bounds since their early EPs in 2012, with the O2 Ritz completely sold out and full of excitement.

First act on were Merseyside up and comers Spilt. As shown on new single ‘Lakla/Saliva’ as well as their live performance, Spilt as a support are a perfect match for FIDLAR. Their heavy dirge of grunge matches with the heavily 90s vibe that follows the proceedings of the night. 

Fidlar take to the to stage, and offered up excitement and fun tenfold for the crowd as soon as they played the first song. Mixing in new tracks, a cover of Nirvana as well as the hits felt like it could have left some old time fans disappointed and not grooving along.

But in fact, no one seemed to care as they moshed and danced their way through every tune, the pit and the dancing never stopped until the band did. FIDLAR declared the Manchester the best city, which was met with many cheers - until they insulted Liverpool, that is.

They call girls to the front at one point, which quickly descended into chaos also. It seemed at the Ritz that no matter where you came from and who you were you were guaranteed a fun night at this gig, and certainly feeling like all the sweat in your body is clinging onto you (if you’re into that).