By Terry Marland, Rock At Night Manchester

Live Review: Cast with Woo at Ritz Manchester, Manchester, UK – March 2, 2024

This is the second night of Cast’s full UK tour that has been revving up for a few weeks with a mix of acoustic and Record Store shows to promote their new album  “Love is the Call”. Tonight it’s an all Liverpool billing with the support slot provided by fellow Mersey-siders Woo.   

Woo  

Early arrivers are rewarded with a blistering opening from five piece indie-rock band “Woo” whose half hour set goes down a storm with the crowd.  Their sound embraces a range of styles spanning Brit -Pop ,Classic Rock and Psychedelia all delivered with an in-your-face directness.  Their set tonight includes the hypnotic “Babylon” and opening number the infectious “My People” both songs are available on streaming platforms and are highly recommended. With high profile support slots scheduled for the summer, expect to hear more from this promising band.   

Check out the video of ‘My People”  HERE:

Cast   

When a band is regarded as a live nostalgia act it can be a tricky manoeuvre to introduce new material.  Tonight  that’s not a problem for Cast who delivers a dynamic set that skilfully blends the best from the band’s 90’s heyday with new material.  

Cast frontman John Power brandishes a wide smile as he takes to the stage, as well he might. Things are good in the world of Cast.  Their recently released album “Love Is The Call” was their first to hit the national chart in 25 years and has been critically acclaimed  in the music press (see the RAN review HERE) The band is playing to packed houses and they have a  high profile touring schedule in place for the rest of the year.    

Power, a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club (a rival of both Manchester clubs) is wearing a tee shirt displaying his allegiance and no doubt celebrating his side’s victory just hours before that consolidated their table topping position.      

The set kicks off with a couple of 90’s bangers in “Sandstorm” and “Fine Time” that have the crowd bouncing. Then its straight into the new stuff with four consecutive tracks from the new album starting with the folky “Bluebird” which is a JP solo with acoustic guitar accompaniment. Initially I was surprised that this track came so early in the set but it works. The full band re-engage for sublime renditions of title track “Love is the Call” and “Love You Like I Do”.   

In total tonight there will be seven tracks from the new release. The new material is lapped up by  the crowd who are already familiar with the recent release and some are singing along on the chorus of the infectious “The Rain That Falls”.   

The new album is a quality product that has the hallmarks of classic Cast that’s been refreshed for the 2020’s. Die-hard fans seem to agree that it’s the best thing they’ve done for decades.  

The band, that includes classic  line-up stalwarts Liam (Skin) Tyson on Guitar  and Keith O’Neil on drums is on fire and obviously enjoying the moment. In Power’s own words they are “Living The Dream”.   

Elsewhere in the set, their platinum debut album “All Change” features heavily , an expected highlight being a heartfelt rendition of the anthemic  “Walkaway” that has the crowd participation going to the next level, swaying and singing as one with phones lit-up around the venue. As the night draws to a close the three song encore ends, with a blistering version of “Alright” that leaves the Ritz crowd more than content.  

This tour stops at Birmingham and Leeds next weekend and then continues until  mid-March. The band has a busy schedule for the rest of the year both as headline acts and supporting both Liam Gallagher and Ocean Colour Scene . Full details here  http://www.castband.co.uk/tour 

PHOTO GALLERY

MARCH – HEADLINE TOUR

1st – Glasgow, SWG3

2nd – Manchester, O2 The Ritz

8th – Birmingham, O2 The Institute

9th – Leeds, O2 Academy

15th – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town

16th – Liverpool, Mountford Hall

JUNE – SPECIAL GUESTS TO LIAM GALLAGHER

1st – Sheffield, Utilita Arena

3rd – Cardiff, Utilita Arena

10th – London, The O2

11th – London, The O2

15th – Manchester, Co-op Live

16th – Manchester, Co-op Live

23rd – Dublin, 3Arena

24th – Dublin, 3Arena

27th – Manchester, Co-op Live

28th – Manchester, Co-op Live

Follow Cast:

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Terry Marland

I’vehad a passion for music from an early age starting with the classic rock bands of the late sixties and early seventies. A few years ago I was able to combine my love of music with my interest in photography when I started to secure press passes for bands appearing in local venues close to my home in North Wales. I also had a stint with the good people at Down the Front Media where I worked at a variety of venues across the UK.Aside from gigs I have been a match day photographer with Chester FC for eight years and you’ll find me pitch-side most Saturday afternoons during the football season.

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