South Arcade Ignite the Manchester Academy with an unforgettable set setting a remarkable standard in the North versus South rivalry

Words & photos by Sabrina Ramdoyal (sabrinaramdoyal)| March 20, 2025

---

The sold-out crowd at Manchester Academy 3 erupted with excitement as South Arcade took the stage, instantly creating an electric atmosphere with hands and foam fingers raised high. The fresh Oxford pop-rock quartet proudly adopted the name “North Arcade” to celebrate with their fellow Mancunians before turning their attention to the sold-out KOKO in London.

They showcased their debut EP, 2005, alongside cherished older songs such as ‘Sound of an Empty Room, Bigger Than Anything Ever’, and ‘Danger’. The unexpected nu-metal cover of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Sexy Back’ sent the crowd into a frenzy. Manchester also enjoyed a first listen of their latest track, ‘Supermodels’, just hours before its official release.

The performance delivered a poignant contrast with ‘Riptide’, offering a heartfelt pause amid the high-energy tracks, and culminated in their dynamic closer, ‘Stone Cold Summer’. South Arcade’s unforgettable performance set a remarkable standard in the North versus South rivalry, leaving fans eager for their future endeavours.

Check out the full gallery below: