ASH Bring Timeless Anthems and Fresh Fire to New Century Hall

Toni Slater
2 days ago
2 min read

NEW CENTURY HALL, MANCHESTER – 19th NOVEMBER 2025

WORDS AND IMAGES TONI SLATER

“Shine On in North Wales - Aussie Floyd Deliver a Cosmic Masterclass at Venue Cymru” — Photo Credit Toni Slater

ASH Taking Us On A Nostalgic Walk Down Memory Lane

The crowd arrived early, queuing on a cold November evening and eagerly awaiting a night in the company of ASH, who were making their return to Manchester with a sold-out show. They were joined by their very capable support act, Coach Party.

New Century Hall is relatively new as a music venue. With its vintage lighting and sprung dance floor, it offers an art deco feel. The space is inviting and carries just the right energy for tonight’s bands. Fans ranged from die-hard ASH disciples to newer listeners drawn in by the band's enduring reputation. The atmosphere was quietly electric—not chaotic, but expectant, as though the crowd knew they were in for something special. The faithful were quick to find their places at the barrier, ready to embrace the experience from the very start.

This meant that there was a healthy audience for the support band. Coach Party, a four-piece rock outfit thriving on energetic indie rock, delivered a short but crowd-pleasing set that perfectly set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Then it was time for ASH. The well-established rock band from Downpatrick, County Down, formed in 1992. Their 1996 breakthrough album 1977 was named one of the 500 greatest albums of all time. This tour supports their new album, Ad Astra. They opened with “Zarathustra” and included tracks like “Fun People,” “Ad Astra,” and “Keep Dreaming” from the new release.

The 90-minute set was a wonderful blend of old and new, including classics such as “Goldfinger” and “Shining Light.” For the encore, Tim Wheeler performed an acoustic “My Favourite Ghost” before the band launched into “Buzzkill,” closing the night with “Girl From Mars” and “Burn Baby Burn.”

Throughout the evening, Tim Wheeler’s vocals were sharp and earnest, cutting through the mix with clarity. The band sounded tight, their effortless musicality bouncing around the walls. There was a sense of connection between them and the audience; crowd members sang along, swayed, and cheered at all the right moments.

ASH’s performance at New Century Hall demonstrated a band still more than capable of delivering a focused and engaging live show. While the highlights leaned heavily on their earlier catalogue, they played with assurance and clarity—supported by a venue well-suited to their sound.

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