By Jack Walsh
Fresh off the release of their latest EP, Outlier, The Rolling People have certainly been making a name for themselves as of late. With the biggest gig of their career at New Century Hall beckoning, I made my way to Manchester to see what this four-piece indie rock band was made of.
Bursting onto the stage first was the Liverpool band Permanent (Joy), whose mission was clear: to kick the evening off with a absolute bang. Did they succeed? 100%. I remember turning around to a fellow photographer at one point and saying, “Now that is an opening band.”
Wait, is that a megaphone they’re bringing to the stage? I couldn’t look away, and neither could the crowd. The energy and passion for their craft were on full display. A killer opening act.
Stand out track – Aeroplane.
Building up the momentum left behind from Permanent (Joy), the second support of the evening, The Kairos made their way onto the stage with a thunderous cheer from the crowd. You could really tell they had a dedicated fanbase in attendance this night. Ripping into each track, this crowd showcased their wild nature as limbs and bodies bounced around like ping pong balls to the beat of the drums and bass echoing throughout the venue.
A new song, you say? Well, crank it up! Never Met a Mess Like You delivered. Matching the energy and spirit brought on by Permanent (Joy) was no easy task, but as the dust settled and the lights dimmed, I must say The Kairos put on one mighty support.
Ready for the final act of the night? As each member of The Rolling People walked on, the crowd, who had been partying nonstop since the doors had opened, showed neither signs of fatigue nor tiredness but a general thirst for more mayhem to add to their already wild and frantic evening. Tracks from their latest EP, Outlier, made their way through the hall as fans who couldn’t make it to their last tour in December got their first-hand taste of the newest tracks the band had to offer. A Crack In The Glass was a personal favourite of mine. The crowd loved it too, as a full sing-along was in motion. Not enough mics for everyone, though, what a shame!
“How are we feeling?” singer Charlie McNichol shouted, as Better Man belted out to a giant cheer. Phones and hands were up in unison as everyone made their voices heard, living together in a singular moment. This night was full of these moments. Especially when Another Day was played, a song about alcoholism, where the crowd grew silent to Charlie’s request so that the weighted lyrics could be fully heard and visualised. A very impactful song indeed.
As the tracks rang on and the crowd continued to give everything they had, it was monumentally clear that The Rolling People were something very special in the making. To pack out their biggest gig to date was one thing, but to have so much love and affection from an ever-growing fan base was something else entirely. Who knows just how far these four lads from Stockport can go?! One thing was for sure, though: I can’t wait to see it all unfold.
Photography & Text Copyright 2026 © Jack Walsh/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Alexandra Pullen 
Chloe Morris 
Kyle Horne