(((O))) Live: Midas Fall • Overhead, The Albatross • Civil Service – 33 Oldham St, Manchester

33 Oldham Street was an interesting choice of venue for this line-up. A tiny, neighbourhood-style spot with a listed capacity of 100 – though you’d have to be very friendly with your fellow gig-goers to fit that many in. Or perhaps you would be by the end of the night.

On arrival, things were a little chaotic. After some wandering I found what seemed to be the right room, which was bustling with people and a flurry of gear being carted around. The night was running slightly behind schedule but we got there in the end. Civil Service opened the evening, albeit without their bassist (who recently left the band). They took to the “stage”– really, just the front of the room – without much ceremony. The band have been quietly establishing themselves in the post-rock scene, following the release of their debut album /// Light in 2024. Their sound blends classic post-rock guitar work with electronic samples, spoken word passages, and evocative visual projections.

While they’re not breaking new ground in the genre, they create immersive and engaging soundscapes. Their collaborations speak volumes: spoken word from Caroline Crawley (Dystopian Future Movies), (recorded) vocals from Liam Knowles (Hidden Mothers), and live bass bass by Stevie Darragh (Overhead, The Albatross), and contributions from Elizabeth Heaton (Midas Fall) all feature.

As the room filled up and the lighting dimmed, Overhead, The Albatross from Ireland took over. Active since 2009, they’ve somehow flown under the radar compared to peers like God Is An Astronaut, but tonight’s performance surely won them a fresh wave of admirers. Their set, largely drawn from their 2024 release I Leave You This – was an impressive weave of glitchy electronica, spoken word, and moments of real heft. They expertly layered Gallops-esque electronics with lush orchestral elements, bursts of guitar-driven rock, and poetry to create a vivid, shifting soundscape.

Despite the confines of the venue, the sound was tightly mixed and the crowd utterly absorbed. Standout tracks like ‘This Is Like Love’ and the stunning ‘Paul Lynch’ took on new emotional weight live. The latter, named in tribute to a late friend of the band, was particularly moving and served as a powerful close to their set.

Rounding off the night were Midas Fall, hailing from Scotland and touring in support of their 2024 album Cold Waves Divide Us. Formed originally by Elizabeth Heaton and Rowan Burn, and now joined by bassist Michal Hamilton, the band’s sound is as expansive as it is hard to categorise: part dream-pop, part progressive rock, with more than a hint of post-rock shimmer. Elizabeth’s vocals were as stunning live as they are on record, effortlessly carrying emotion and atmosphere. The band’s lush arrangements filled the small venue with warmth, but the mix unfortunately lacked some of the spaciousness and clarity that characterises their recorded work. The bass, while present, didn’t quite hit with the same impact, and some of Rowan’s intricate guitar textures were lost in the murk. Still, the quality of song-writing and performance shone through.

Here were three bands all with a slightly different take on the post-rock genre and were fun to see in a tiny, intimate venue. Civil Service are a band developing their craft and one to keep an eye on; Overhead, The Albatross gave a wonderful performance and added a bit of something extra to their recorded work; and Midas Fall rounded things off perfectly.