A NIGHT OF TRIBUTE AND TRIUMPH, THE DAMNED DELIVER SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL

Phil Thorns
2 days ago
4 min read

The Albert Hall Manchester - 28th January 2026

WORDS / IMAGES PHIL THORNS

A NIGHT OF TRIBUTE AND TRIUMPH, THE DAMNED DELIVER SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL — Photo Credit Phil Thorns

A shadow-draped celebration of legacy, loss and undying punk fury beneath gothic arches with a gothic frontman, a grinning guitar anarchist and a crowd loving every second.

There are few venues that feel as steeped in character as the Albert Hall Manchester. A breathtaking, atmospheric former Wesleyan chapel, its ornate balconies, stained glass, and vast vaulted ceiling create a setting that feels both grand and strangely intimate. Grade II listed and once perilously close to falling into complete disrepair, the building has been lovingly restored into one of the most striking live music spaces in the country. A venue with history, resilience, and undeniable presence. Fitting, then, that tonight it plays host to punk royalty. You could feel that the night was going to be something special with punks and music aficionados of all shapes, sizes, ages and haircuts arriving from all over the country. They knew tonight was going to be something special, a one off, an "I was there moment".

The occasion is made even more poignant following the release of 'Not Like Everybody Else', a ten-track album released on 23rd January 2026 and named after a song written by Ray Davies, originally found on the flip side of 'Sunny Afternoon' by The Kinks. The record coincides with The Damned’s 50th birthday celebrations but was far more a deeply personal tribute to founding guitarist Brian James, who very sadly passed away in March 2025. Each track has been carefully chosen to reflect the bands that influenced Brian’s guitar playing and, in turn, shaped The Damned themselves, with songs leaning heavily into the psychedelia, rock and punk sounds of the mid to late 60s.

Recorded during an intense and emotion-packed five days at Revolver Studios LA, the album features Dave Vanian on vocals, Captain Sensible on guitars, Rat Scabies returning behind the drum kit after a 40-year break, Paul Gray on bass and Monty Oxymoron on keys. The reunion element alone adds a powerful emotional undercurrent to the entire evening.

To make events even more special, the early arrivals were treated to a one-off DJ set from John Robb, punk journalist and frontman of Goldblade and The Membranes, who spun an eclectic selection of punk, prog and cult classics alongside a few unexpected curveballs. The appreciative crowd lapped it up, the buzz in the room steadily building and reinforcing the feeling that this was already becoming far more than just another gig.

When The Damned finally appear, they are greeted with a tremendous ovation, punters fully realising how lucky they are to be part of such a unique celebration. They open with 'There’s A Ghost In My House', immediately blending their trademark punk energy with classic rock swagger, stamping their authority on the track while the packed floor erupts into motion.

Vanian cuts his unmistakable gothic figure, voice rich and commanding, while Sensible balances sharp guitar work with flashes of humour and showmanship. The rhythm section is relentless, but it is the powerful drumming of Scabies that stands out throughout the night, particularly during a thunderous rendition of 'Making Time', his playing driving the band with precision, weight and unmistakable flair.

The setlist draws heavily from the tribute material, with 'See Emily Play' landing beautifully, the band embracing the psychedelic roots of the original while injecting it with their own darker, theatrical edge. One of the most emotional moments of the evening arrives with 'This Will Be The Last Time', taken from Brian James’ final live performance with the band, recorded before his passing and remixed for the album release. The performance carries genuine weight, the audience visibly absorbing the significance of the moment as Vanian delivers the vocals with heartfelt sincerity.

Throughout the show, the connection between band and audience feels deeply personal. This is not simply nostalgia or anniversary touring. This is remembrance, celebration and continuation all rolled into one, delivered with passion, humour and unmistakable punk spirit.

Just when it seems the evening has already delivered everything it possibly could, the band return for a mammoth and emotional seven-song encore. The energy somehow lifts again, the crowd refusing to let the moment end, singing, pogoing and soaking up every final second.

As the final notes ring out beneath the towering architecture of Albert Hall Manchester, there is a shared feeling among the departing audience that they have experienced something truly special. A celebration of legacy, friendship, influence and survival. An evening that felt like an absolute privilege to witness, and undoubtedly one that many inside the building will carry with them for years to come. Memorable.

SET LIST