Dayseeker at the Albert Hall, Manchester.

By Soph Ditchfield and Joel Arthur.

Photo by Soph Ditchfield.

It was a cold December night in the busy streets of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Whilst Christmas lights decorated the dark, black denim and dyed hair queued around street corners. 

The line was long - very long all for the Californian-based synthwave post-hardcore band, Dayseeker.

While it was a hotly anticipated event, I was dumbfounded by the scale of what a “sold-out” Dayseeker show at Albert Hall looked like. It was grandiose, heart-moving, and a truly immersive visual spectacle - One I wish to experience again as soon as possible. 

Visiting Albert Hall for the first time was a spectacle because of the church-like interior, organ pipes and stained glass windows to boot. With a brightly decorated Christmas tree, I could have believed I had arrived for a carol night instead. 

Heart of Gold took the stage first at 8pm, which was a scarily late start for people who had travelled in. Our ears were greeted by ambient piano music with bird calls and other nature sound effects which set the mood for the rest of the band’s set.

Photos by Soph Ditchfield

Kicking off with ‘Stranger’, the overall tone was funky and upbeat, if a little more mellow than the headline act. There were familiar electronic synth sounds that were reminiscent of Dayseeker whilst playing in a more melancholic, sombre styling. A standout part of Heart of Gold was watching their bassist groove along to the song so much that he could not stand still for a moment, interacting with every member of the band across the stage and then the audience too. 

Photos by Soph Ditchfield

I couldn’t help but draw parallels with bands like the 1975, especially with the guitar strumming patterns.

Whilst being a more relaxed start to the show, I found myself engrossed in the music.

To follow up, a more traditionally energetic band was the well-known Rain City Drive, who were received with resounding excitement amongst the audience. It was clear that a lot of the band’s fanbase had turned up and on the balconies were even cardboard signs for the band. 

After being warmed up by Heart of Gold, one could sense the electric energy ripple through punters as Rain City Drive played, going straight from a quick line check into their stage intro. They were backlit by the vibrant blue visualiser of their cover art from their most recent album, ‘Things Are Different Now’.

Photos by Soph Ditchfield.

The Florida-based band named after the rainy city of Manchester made a notable impression on the whole audience, having heads bobbing in time to their heavy alternative rock tunes with hard hitters like ‘Wish You The Best’ and ‘Talk to A Friend. Having heard a few before in casual Spotify listens, my impression of their live performance drastically reshaped my opinion of them. All members of the band moved with equal energy, throwing their bodies and instruments into the songs, demanding every ounce of my attention. I couldn’t help but draw parallels with UK-based bands like Caskets, As Everything Unfolds and Holding Absence, which is likely why Dayseeker fans took to them so well.

The theme of a second frontman in the band’s bassist, Colin Viera continued with Rain City Drive, his enthusiasm charging the audience when the vocalist, Matt McAndrew, needed a well-deserved moment to refill his lungs.

Photos by Soph Ditchfield.

‘Heavier’ was a standout highlight on their setlist, especially with the live delay effect on the lead guitar, and there was the treat that was ‘Medicate Me’ that featured the guest vocals of Rory Rodriguez of Dayseeker, just like the single.

Suffice it to say, we were aptly prepared for the main act.

The night had already amped up so well but I am happy to share that Dayseeker were not only the cherry on the cake, they were the whole damn bakery. 

In a suspenseful countdown, the Dark Sun Protocol began.

5… 4… 3… 2… 1.

The opening synth and robotic voice of ‘Dreamstate’ plunged us into the world of Dark Sun, replicating the opening to the titular album, before the guitars and drums brought us headbanging back to reality. It was no surprise that the room sang every word back from the very beginning of the verse but the lyrics on the visualiser prompting each significant line helped fill the gaps. With such a heavy-handed start, we were guaranteed a night of versatile timbre, especially in the breakdown of Dreamstate. I half expected the band to summon Jessica Powell of the band, Dreamstate, to pay homage to the naming coincidences. Still something I hope to see one day.

Photos by Soph Ditchfield

The band take full advantage of the screens behind them, likely having used Blender and/or Unreal Engine to create a 3D 80’s inspired world, having Deloreans dodging chromatic spheres, cherry blossoms dancing around lanterns and scrap cars defying gravity. It wasn’t just a show anymore, it was THE definitive Dark Sun experience. The only means I could see it improving is with pyrotechnics and confetti but I’m sure that’s a card saved for a later apex in their touring repertoire. 

Some of my best live production memories compare to the likes of Enter Shikari, Bring Me The Horizon and Sleep Token. Dayseeker easily reached those heights. The band’s uniform outfits, synergetic stage presence and expert instrumentalism made me envious of their commitment. With twelve years of experience under their belt, such showmanship is to be expected.

Photos by Soph Ditchfield

I was reminded that the venue was sold-out when I looked up to see every single person on the balcony standing, people on shoulders in front of me and multiple moshpits breaking out throughout the set. 

Interestingly, during a break between songs, Rodriguez asked the audience how many people were seeing Dayseeker for the first time. Despite it being their second return to the UK this year, an overwhelmingly large amount of hands shot up, including mine. 

My notes are full to the brim with points I could make about the show but,  in retrospect, I would simply advise making sure you don’t miss out next time. From piano interludes, a guest feature from Matt McAndrew of Rain City Drive, and visualiser cues on the beat of certain songs, it’s difficult to compress how much there was to take away from the show.

I was sad to have to leave early to catch my train after their stripped-back cover of Evanescence’s ‘My Immortal’ but I left fully satisfied and yet craving more.