There’s nothing quite like a summer gig in Manchester, especially when the sun actually shines. On 9 July 2025, Castlefield Bowl basked in golden evening light as it played host to a stacked night of music, starting with rising star Alex Spencer and culminating in Miles Kane’s triumphant headline set.
Alex Spencer: youthful charm and heartfelt energy
Opening a major outdoor show as fans were still filtering in is no small task, but Alex Spencer, brimming with youthful vocals and infectious charm, handled it like a pro. “It’s been a dream to play this venue ever since I came here to see Arcade Fire,” he told the crowd, instantly striking a personal, relatable tone.
His set was full of ‘I-know-this-from-somewhere’ moments, including a clear crowd favourite thanks to its appearance on FIFA: Nightmares. His sincerity shone through as he introduced Waiting For The Change, explaining it was the first song he wrote at 14. It’s a detail that resonated: this was a young artist at a meaningful milestone.
The band — Annabelle Maddem (guitar), Harrison Keane (keys), and Will Harvey (drums) kept things tight and energetic, culminating in a crowd-pleasing closer from Spencer’s new EP. As he wrapped up, camera held aloft to grab a photo with the fans, he looked genuinely moved. You could spot family in the crowd (“Mum and Dad are somewhere!”), adding to the heartwarming vibe.
Highlight moment? When Spencer commanded the audience to “go down to the floor” before exploding upwards on cue, a classic, but it worked. The waterside stage at Castlefield felt alive and buzzing, ready for the main act.
Miles Kane: leopard-print swagger and singalong anthems
As the sun dipped below the Manchester skyline, the arena now packed, Miles Kane strode out — instruments draped in bold leopard print — fully intent on bringing the energy.
A slight guitar blip early on? Barely a blip. Kane bounced right back, effortlessly shifting between a regular mic and a close-up bullet mic to vary his vocal attack. His stage backdrop simply read “MILES KANE” in stark black on white, bold and direct, like his music.
“Manchester, oh Manchester come on!” he yelled, though the front-row faithful hardly needed encouragement; they were already leaning into the barrier, arms draped over as they belted back every lyric.
Cutie Pie was a standout, Kane’s funky guitar riff cutting through as the crowd yelled the chorus right back at him under flickering green and purple lights. Sunlight Shadows, a new song, arrived mid-set, awash in red and orange stage light, giving us a glimpse at where Kane’s sound may be headed next.
Between tracks, fans kept the atmosphere alive, clapping along unprompted, fully immersed. Don’t Forget Who You Are— the “la la la” anthem — brought a mass singalong that echoed around the Bowl. By the time Kane offered thanks to The Black Keys “for putting these shoes on” (a nod to their influence and legacy), it was clear this was a love letter to both his fans and Manchester itself.
Miles Kane proved once again why he remains such an electric live performer: charismatic, self-aware, and completely in sync with his audience. The detail — from leopard print decor to slick mic swaps, underscored a showman’s touch, but at its core was a pure love for performance.
And Alex Spencer? Expect to see his name higher on future festival bills — Castlefield Bowl may have been his dream stage, but judging by this set, he’s only getting started.
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