Fresh from the finish line of the Manchester Marathon, RedHook turned the Deaf Institute into their own arena—blending chaos, charm, and catharsis in a set that proves they’re ready for much bigger stages

Words & photos by Sabrina Ramdoyal (sabrinaramdoyal)| April 30, 2025

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The Manchester Marathon had just finished minutes before the doors opened at the sold-out Deaf Institute, setting the stage for an electrifying performance by RedHook, hailing from Sydney, Australia. On this successful tour, the band brought an energy that promised to make the evening memorable. The packed venue underscored their potential to expand to larger spaces that could better accommodate their dynamic blend of alternative metal infused with pop-rock influences, making the stakes higher than ever.

RedHook opened their show with ‘bomb.com,’ immediately capturing the audience’s attention. The performance featured the elaborate use of pyrotechnics with two bubble machines during ‘Hot Tub,’ along with an inventive use of a hand puppet that mimicked the lyrics in ‘Pyromaniac.’ However, it was the visceral energy and formidable vocal prowess of Emmy Mack that truly connected the band with the crowd, especially during the hype-charged ‘Low Budget Horror’.

” The band’s sonic architecture expertly balanced heavier instrumentation with catchy melodies, and bassist Ned Jankovic’s intense performance added to the overall power of their sound. Their versatility shone through even in lighter tracks like ‘Soju,’ which featured a saxophone played by guitarist Craig Wilkinson and a great drum solo, not to mention great fills from sticksman Alex Powys.

An intimate moment was shared during ‘Jabberwocky,’ which led into the energetic ‘Cannibal.’ The night reached a communal climax at the bar with their anthemic closer, “Bad Decisions,” leaving everyone on a high note. This trajectory showcased the deep connection between RedHook and their fans while highlighting their evolution as artists. It’s clear that their time in smaller venues will not last for long; their momentum felt truly unstoppable.