Inspiral Carpets turn the Albert Hall into a Madchester revival

Desh Kapur
17 minutes ago
3 min read

Albert Hall, Manchester 13th November 2025

WORDS AND IMAGES DESH KAPUR

Inspiral Carpets turn the Albert Hall into a Madchester revival — Photo Credit Desh Kapur

On a crisp, clear Saturday night in Manchester, the Albert Hall felt like the spiritual home it was always meant to be. The stunning Grade II-listed former Methodist chapel — all Neo-Baroque grandeur, stained glass and wraparound mezzanine — provided a suitably reverent setting for a band woven into the fabric of the city itself: Inspiral Carpets.

Heading inside with my mate Chris, it was clear this wasn’t just another gig — it was a gathering. Standing at the bar with a beer in hand, we were treated to a perfectly judged warm-up courtesy of legendary Manchester DJ Dave Sweetmore. Spinning classic hometown anthems, Sweetmore had the crowd singing, dancing and grinning before the band had even hit the stage, throwing in heartfelt tributes to Mani along the way. It was the ideal aperitif: communal, nostalgic and buzzing with anticipation.

When Inspiral Carpets finally emerged, the reception was rapturous. The current lineup — original members Stephen Holt (vocals), Graham Lambert (guitar), Clint Boon (keyboards) and the recently returned Martyn Walsh (bass), joined by drummer Kev Clark — wasted no time in reminding everyone why they remain such a vital live force. From the opening notes, the atmosphere turned electric.

This was Inspirals in triumphant form: tight, energetic and emotionally charged. Clint Boon’s unmistakable Farfisa organ — that glorious, swirling engine of the Madchester sound — sat front and centre, driving the songs with infectious urgency. Lambert’s guitar work brought the necessary garage grit, while Walsh and Clark locked into grooves that kept the whole room bouncing.

The crowd, spanning generations, were fully engaged from the off. Fans sang every word, danced without inhibition and, of course, enthusiastically joined in with the band’s trademark “mooing” chants — a reminder that Inspiral Carpets gigs have always thrived on a sense of humour as much as heart.

A particularly moving element of the night came in the form of tributes to Mani with his face on the back screen and other visuals charting the band’s history — and Manchester’s wider musical legacy — flickered across the back screen, the sense of shared memory in the room was palpable. It was emotional without ever tipping into sentimentality.

The setlist itself was a masterclass in how to honour a legacy without feeling stuck in it. Classic hits like ‘This Is How It Feels’, ‘She Comes In The Fall’ and ‘Saturn 5’ triggered huge singalongs, while deeper catalogue cuts landed just as powerfully. Each song reaffirmed the band’s unique blend of psychedelic rock, garage grit and pop-savvy hooks — a sound rooted in ’60s psychedelia and Northern soul as much as the baggy beats of the late ’80s.

What stood out most was how alive the music still feels. These songs, built on catchy melodies, distorted riffs and organ-soaked euphoria, remain defiantly working-class and unmistakably northern — music that belongs to the people in the room as much as the band on stage.

By the time the final notes rang out beneath the Albert Hall’s vaulted ceiling, it was clear this had been more than a nostalgia trip. Inspiral Carpets’ live show is a celebration — of Manchester, of memory, and of a sound that refuses to fade. Decades on, they’re still inspiring joy, movement and connection. Madchester lives — and on nights like this, it thrives.

SET LIST ( from previous show)