Little Image/Almost Monday at The Deaf Institute, Manchester 03/28/2025
May 10 2025 | Written By Jessica Pispisa
The long queue around the corner on an extremely unwelcome chilly evening should have been a sign that there is still a thirst for the type of music that is so beloved and so missed for a certain generation (Millennials) that the current one (Gen Z) is diving straight in to experience themselves. The ecstatic and delirium of loud electric guitars and drums always promises a good time, and both bands -on that front- delivered.
Little Image, the Dallas-based alt/pop trio are opening for their fellow Americans Almost Monday for the UK leg of their tour. Their brand new single, Run for Forever, was released on the same night, and their energy was certainly buoyed to their set. Opening with The Pressure, the catchy, danceable tune that is already finding success on adverts across the pond. Although the subject matter is about emotional burnout and of “breaking at the seams”, it is deliciously energetic, and reminiscent of the mid-00s pop punk sound that call to mind blink-182. Next was BLUE, a tight, fined tuned song about anxiety which is radio ready and that will have the crowd singing along to very soon (the crowd loved them, but where definitely still in the getting-to-know-you stage). That shouldn’t take too long, though. The outfit, comprised of Jackson Simmons (vocals, guitar) Brandon Walters (bass,vocals) and Troy Bruner (drums) are tight and professional, and make it look effortless, which means they have put the work in. OUT OF MY MIND their #1 Alternative Radio chart-topper, is an emo banger, with the chorus “out of my mid/ I’m not myself without you baby” instantaneously sticking to your bones as one of your favourite choruses of the evening.
It wasn’t revealed until the quasi-middle of their set that the drummer was injured and had to take a beat (pun may be intended) that night, and the drummer from Almost Monday stepped in that afternoon, learned their songs, and got the job done. Troy (obviously missed from the stage) did make an appearance for MAKEUP, the slow, romantic ballad for the lead singer’s girlfriend whom he currently misses.
Their closing song is the aforementioned brand new single, RUN FOR FOREVER, which might be their most accessible single to date. Falling in love with the chase again/ Tripping on rocks in the cracked cement/ Give it all up just to catch a glimpse/ Of what you could've had. The band’s lyrics are thoughtful, and touch you in the nostalgic feels, but never feels like a rehash of something from the past. If anything, it’s a reminder that it’s ok and encouraged to express how you feel, especially given the current climate. If anything, make it cool as this lot.
Almost Monday followed with a raucous, sunny set of their own. And, while these two bands are peers, they each carry a distinct flavour of their own. This was the type of gig that not only made the chill from the outside melt away, but made it more than worth it to go out in the first place.
RUN FOR FOREVER is out now. Little Image are touring the United States.
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