Ahead of their explosive Slam Dunk Festival debut, Nashville’s rising punk rock stars Winona Fighter ignited Manchester with a sold-out show and a sneak peek into their debut album…

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

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For musical groups that attain a sold-out debut tour, supporters exhibit enthusiastic encouragement of their success, and this phenomenon was a pleasure to observe. The numerical metrics did not significantly impact the anticipated experience. The Nashville punk rock band Winona Fighter recently dedicated the week preceding the Slam Dunk festival to a mini UK tour, representing their first tour outside the United States. Amped was privileged to attend this emerging quartet’s debut performance at The Lodge in Manchester and relished everything!

In anticipation of their exceptional debut album, *My Apologies To The Chef*, released earlier this year, the four-member ensemble performed each track from the album, alongside additional selections, resulting in a distinctive and memorable experience for the sold-out audience in Manchester. The concert commenced with an energetic rendition of “You Look Like A Drunk Phoebe Bridgers,” prompting enthusiastic sing-alongs from the crowd. This was swiftly followed by “I Think You Should Leave” and an impressive performance of ‘Subaru.’ The audience erupted in applause for guitarist Dan after a dynamic rendition of ‘R U Famous,’ which showcased an electrifying breakdown by the entire band. The subsequent song, ‘ATTENTION,’ was dedicated to their recent whirlwind experiences at home, striking a chord with the audience.

As the atmosphere within the venue intensified, the band increased the tempo with a cover of Blur’s ‘Song 2,’ which initiated the first mosh pit of the evening. During ‘Wlbrn St Tvrn,’ a member of the audience was humorously designated the ‘pitmaster,’ delighting those in attendance.

As they approached the concluding songs of the evening, without performing an encore, they presented the intense ‘Johnny’s Dead’ and the motivational ‘DON’T WALLOW,’ encouraging fans to pursue their aspirations. The performance culminated with the powerful ‘HAMMS IN A GLASS,’ which the audience greatly appreciated. Observing the crowd sing along to each lyric and reflect the band’s infectious energy underscored Winona Fighter’s outstanding performance, which effectively balanced musical artistry and engaging stage presence.