Chaos, Satire, and Saxophones: Viagra Boys Shake Up Manchester with Raw Punk Power
- Michael Bond
- May 2
- 4 min read
Updated: May 6
O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, 1st May 2025.
WORDS AND IMAGES MICHAEL BOND
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Viagra Boys deliver their modern, warped approach to punk as they bring their ‘Viagra Boys’ album tour to the O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, on 1st May 2025.
Fresh off the release of their fourth studio album last month, the Stockholm-based punk band descends on Manchester as part of their European tour, armed with their distorted sound and provocative, introspective view of the modern world. Blending satire, chaos, and sonic experimentation, the band continues to push boundaries in a live setting that’s as theatrical as it is raw.
Opening tonight are local Manchester lads Cooper T, a duo formed during lockdown who draw heavily from their northern upbringing. While influenced by bands such as tonight's headliners and genre disruptors like Kneecap, Cooper T have developed a style of their own—gritty, unapologetic, and unmistakably Mancunian.
The band, consisting of Jack and Tommo, perform wearing balaclavas, preserving a certain level of anonymity while prowling the stage with swagger. They preach a manifesto steeped in themes of urban life, integrity, and authenticity. Their lyrics mirror the everyday grit of their environment, delivered with defiance and wit.
Their artistic circle includes collaborators like Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods, a clear influence that resonates in both their lyrical delivery and sound. As well as producing increasingly sharp songs, they’ve begun backing up their message with visually striking music videos, cementing their identity and ambition.
The band’s appearance tonight is itself a success story born on social media. After spotting Viagra Boys frontman Sebastian Murphy was in town for another event, Cooper T sent him a direct message, casually asking to support if the opportunity arose. Proof that sometimes, if you don’t ask, you don’t get—Murphy responded, and now the two acts are touring together. A testament to how persistence and digital boldness can still crack the traditional music industry.
As the stage lights dim and the crowd’s anticipation reaches a boiling point, six figures storm the stage. A topless, tattooed Sebastian Murphy kicks things off with the lead single from the new album, ‘Man Made of Meat’. It’s a track that wastes no time making an impact—built on a throbbing rhythm and surreal, biting lyrics, it delivers a clear mission statement.
Opening lines like “Overweight freaks ride around on wheelchairs motorized by electric motors made by goblins in a factory overseas” are classic Viagra Boys—satirical, jarring, and strangely poetic.
This tone continues into the next song, packed with eyebrow-raising lines:
“I’m subscribed to your mom’s OnlyFans; I spent five bucks a month to get pictures of her flappy giblets, and I spent another ten dollars a month to chat with her on the AI chat program.”
If you’re unfamiliar with the band’s ethos, this tells you everything you need to know. Viagra Boys don’t shy away from uncomfortable imagery or absurdity. They revel in it. The result is a disillusioned, often hilarious lens on society—commenting on everything from online culture to consumerism.
The set includes nine tracks from the new album, cleverly interspersed with fan favorites. It's always fascinating to see how bands weave new material into their sets. Some treat it like a test, hesitantly introducing fresh songs. But not Viagra Boys—they charge in, confident in their craft, daring the crowd to keep up.
Next comes ‘Slow Learner’ from their debut album ‘Street Worms’, followed by ‘Waterboy’ and crowd favorite ‘Punk Rock Loser’. Between tracks, Murphy graciously acknowledges the crowd’s energy and their growing familiarity with the new material.
While rooted in punk, the band brings a layered complexity to their sound. Wailing saxophone and flute lines twist over gritty guitar and bass, layered with frenetic drumming and eerie keys. It’s a strange blend—but it works. These elements give depth and color to their dark humor and unhinged lyrics.
From the pit to the balcony, fans absorb every chaotic second. The set crescendos with ‘Research Chemicals’, ending in an extended instrumental that buzzes with distortion and intensity. Then, after a brief exit, the band returns for an encore featuring new track ‘The Bog Body’, before closing with the raucous and unforgettable ‘Worms’.
Looking across the crowd, you see a truly diverse audience. Old-school punks, young alternative fans raised on Idles and Fontaines D.C., and even people who look like they’ve just left the office. There’s something magnetic about this band’s unfiltered voice and grimy honesty. They’re a mirror to society’s weirdness—held with a grimace and a grin.
Viagra Boys aren’t just riding a wave—they’re building one. If tonight's show is any indication, their influence will ripple far beyond the underground scene.
Setlist:
1/ Man Made of Meat
2/ Slow Learner
3/ Waterboy
4/ Punk Rock Loser
5/ Dirty Boyz
6/ Uno II
7/ Ain’t No Thief
8/ Pyramid of Health
9/ Troglodyte
10/ Ain’t Nice
11/ Best in Show pt. IV
12/ Store Policy
13/ Down in the Basement
14/ Medicine for Horses
15/ Sports
16/ Research Chemicals
Encore:
17. The Bog Body
18. Worms
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