On a wet and gloomy Wednesday night in Southampton, The Engine Rooms filled up with indie music fans ready to shake off the rain and catch one of Manchester’s rising bands, Corella. The venue didn’t fill straight away, but by the time the support act hit the stage, there was an excited buzz in the air and a decent crowd building.
Opening the night was 18-year-old Alex Spencer, playing his first-ever gig in Southampton. You wouldn’t have guessed it, though. From the moment he walked on stage, he carried himself with the confidence of someone who’s been doing this for much longer. A small group of fans were clearly there just for him, singing along from the very first track, but what stood out was how quickly he managed to win over the rest of the room.
Even those who clearly hadn’t heard his music before were drawn in by the energy of his set. His band was strong, and he talked to the audience like he’d been doing this for years. As the set went on, more and more people were nodding along, and by the final track, the whole room seemed to be moving. Before stepping off stage, Spencer announced his first headline tour and got a loud cheer in return. He wrapped things up with a clever surprise – his band kicked into a cover of ‘Insomnia’ by Faithless just as he left the stage, which got the crowd jumping and added a real lift before the main act.
When Corella came on, the room was buzzing. The Manchester four-piece have been on the road for most of the year, and it shows. They looked completely at ease on stage, and the energy didn’t let up for a second. The Engine Rooms, with its standing floor and stripped-back setup, felt like exactly the right kind of space for their sound. From the first chorus, the crowd was fully involved, and it didn’t take long for mosh pits to break out in the centre of the room.
For those who haven’t come across Corella yet, they’re a solid pick for fans of Courteeners, Blossoms, and their sound is reminiscent of early Catfish and the Bottlemen. Their set was packed with moments that encouraged the audience to sing along and beats that are built for festival stages. Every track landed well, and the crowd didn’t need any convincing to get involved.
There wasn’t a lot of chat between songs, but that worked in their favour; the set flowed smoothly, and the band let the music do the talking. It felt tight and well-rehearsed without being too polished. There’s still a bit of grit in their live sound, which gives it some edge and keeps things interesting.
By the end of the night, it was clear the rain outside had been well worth braving. Corella delivered exactly the kind of high-energy set fans were hoping for, and Alex Spencer’s performance had definitely turned a few heads. As people slowly made their way out, the conversations were filled with praise for both acts.
It might have been a midweek show, but it felt like it could have been a Saturday night with everyone dancing and having a good time. Two exciting names from Manchester, both with momentum behind them, and a Southampton crowd that was more than up for it. Definitely one to remember.
