Dayglow (O2 Ritz Manchester)

O2 Ritz in Manchester has long been one of my favorite venues, and once again, it did not disappoint. With multiple bars, a spacious floor, and balconies providing great views from every angle, it’s the perfect place to experience live music. Dayglow took full advantage of that, delivering a set that fit the venue effortlessly.

I’ve been aware of Dayglow for a few years now, always enjoying their sound, but this was my first time seeing them live. There’s something special about hearing a song that suddenly clicks when performed on stage—‘Close to You’ was exactly that. A track I hadn’t paid much attention to before, but when it hit, and the crowd started bouncing, I knew I needed to revisit it immediately.

The songs I already loved translated beautifully to the live setting, ‘Radio’, ‘Then It All Goes Away’, and they even played one of my personal favourites ‘Like She Does’, sounding just as good—if not better—than when played through my car speakers. While the crowd’s energy was a little more reserved than at some gigs I have been to, that almost worked in Dayglow’s favor. Their music is vibrant, detailed, and carefully crafted, and a more laid-back audience allowed me to truly appreciate every sound, every note, and every moment.

Special shout-out to the drummer, who made drumming look effortless from start to finish. The precision and energy he brought to every song elevated the whole performance. Dayglow are a band with such a great sound, and the Ritz was the perfect venue to showcase it.

This was the start of three consecutive gig days for me, and it was kicked off in majestic fashion. Well done, Dayglow—you will see me again.