By Emma Turner
Continuing the Internet Hometown Hero World Tour, MICO’s next stop was none other than the O2 Ritz in Manchester, one of the biggest crowds yet. Celebrating his latest album of the same name, this crowd were in for a night that exceeded their expectations.
Hailing from Toronto, MICO is a Filipino-Canadian singer-songwriter who first found his audience online. Since then, he has taken his emotionally honest songwriting on the road, building a devoted following worldwide. In Manchester, that connection was clear from the moment he stepped on stage.
First though, singer-songwriter Hunter Daily welcomed everyone in with her bright, bubbly personality. Coming all the way from LA, she made this audience feel like we were her best friends. Through her songs, Daily laid herself bare, almost as though we were listening in on her personal diary entries. Her lyrics were personal, and for those who, like her, stayed too long, missed the warning signs, and struggled with letting go, they cut deep. Delivered through dreamy soundscapes and delicate vocals, each track was truly ethereal.
During her more upbeat songs, such as California Poppies and Video Games, she got the crowd involved by giving them a sequence of dance moves and, as everyone copied it, she seemed to be filled with joy. As an opener, it was clear Hunter had made a great impression on fans, as they sang along, cheering every time she spoke – enthusiastic to hear more from her. Her set was completely unique – for her last song she even threw her ‘ex-boyfriend’s hoodie’ into the crowd as a symbolic way of letting go. And for one lucky fan, a great chance to catch her merch.
It wasn’t long before the lights dimmed, ready for the arrival of MICO. As his band entered the stage, a voice came from the speakers, which we later found out was named M.Ai.Co. The voice encouraged everyone to be as loud as they could for the entire night: to dance, sing and clap along, something Manchester delivered from start to finish.
The purpose of M.Ai.Co was to help decide part of the setlist in each city, running through different song options, hinting that a cover was on the way. For Manchester, of course, it was The 1975’s It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) which sent the room into instant cheers as they recognised it from the first few notes. Creating a unique moment for each city is a rising phenomenon that works for pretty much every artist. It’s the perfect way to give them a special moment that no one else has. Little did everyone know that this was only the beginning of what would be a monumental night of the tour.
down! was a track that stood out, as it began with minimal instrumentation – a slow introduction to the song led us into some of the strongest vocals of the night. It gave MICO the opportunity to strip back the set for a moment and let his voice take centre stage. Briefly stopping the song to joke about how the sound of the crowd was too pretty, immediately heavy drums and a strong bass kicked in to carry it on. MICO knew how to command the crowd, cracking jokes in the right places, and maintaining a high energy from the moment he stepped onto the stage. It was undeniably impressive, and this song highlighted that.
His genre-blurring, alternative, hyperpop sound remained consistently engaging, offering a set full of unpredictability. With punchy basslines and glitchy electronic elements, their intensity strengthened in a live setting. From fans jumping around during prove me wrong to singing their hearts out to Deserve this, every emotion MICO had, fans mirrored. It made such a huge venue feel that much more intimate as they shared a collective emotional release. His entire discography tackling struggles with love, growing up and mental health allowed for the O2 Ritz to become a safe space for him, and for fans, to relate to one another and connect.
As we neared the end of the night, fan favourites such as cut my hair, senses and HOMESICK truly came to life. Rather than winding down, excitement only grew. With the return of M.Ai.Co over the speaker, fans were encouraged to scream as loud as they could if they wanted to hear more, which had become a recurring moment throughout the tour.
Better and another soul were meant to draw the show to a close, however Manchester somehow got MICO to come back on for one more – treat your friends – a never-before-done segment that caused an insane uproar from the crowd, cementing this night as a true highlight of the tour.
When MICO comes back to Manchester, it’s one not to miss.
Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Emma Turner/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Alexandra Pullen