LIVE REVIEW: MAN/WOMAN/CHAINSAW AT CONCORDE 2, BRIGHTON 30/09/26
London six-piece Man/Woman/Chainsaw delivered an electrifying performance at Brighton’s Concorde 2 on September 30th. The band has recently released their highly anticipated debut album Cannonball and are named as one of the UK’s most exciting, fast-rising acts. Through September and October, they toured the UK to celebrate their debut album before heading across the Atlantic later this autumn for their first-ever US shows. The six-piece band consists of Billy Ward (vocals/guitar), Vera Leppänen (vocals/bass), Emmie-Mae Avery (vocals/keys/synth), Lola Cherry (drums), Clio Starwood (violin) and Billy Doyle (guitar).
Man/Woman/Chainsaw were supported by Uncle Junior, an alternative rock three-piece whose raw, dynamic set brought a good chunk of punk chaos before the headliners took the stage.
As the six members gathered on the small stage, one thing became immediately clear: Man/Woman/Chainsaw have a very distinctive sound. They shifted seamlessly between moods, moving from delicate songs to more explosive, guitar-driven ones. Leppänen’s striking vocals and the band’s catchy melodies kept the audience engaged, while tracks such as ‘Canyons’ demonstrated the band’s love for dramatic transitions. The song begins as a quiet piano ballad before erupting into a heavy rock arrangement – their song ‘Get Up And Dance’ follows a similar pattern.
The contrast between Leppänen’s soft voice and Ward’s rawer vocals also adds another dimension to some songs such as ‘Goddamn, Lizard Man’. Throughout the night, delicate violin melodies were blended effortlessly with rugged punk-rock elements, floating between classic and chaos. The band’s close bond was equally noticeable. Most of the members have been friends since school; this familiarity translates into a natural on-stage chemistry. The room was packed as fans gathered to watch them perform, with the band playing in front of a backdrop that showcased the cover of their debut album Cannonball.
They opened with ‘Only Girl’, moving through songs such as ‘Goddamn, Lizard Man’, ‘Snakebite’, and their biggest hit ‘Nosedive’, in a set that felt like a celebration of the new record. Fans sang and danced throughout, encouraged by Leppänen’s instruction to dance and have fun. And just like the band, the audience also wasn’t able to stand still. The set ended on a playful note when Leppänen fittingly pulled out a plastic chainsaw, which released bubbles into the air. It was a joyful finale that captured the spirit of the show, creating a contrast to its often darker, heavier songs. Throughout the set, the six-piece band unmistakably had just as much fun as the fans did, making one thing evident: they love what they do.
By the time Man/Woman/Chainsaw left the stage, it was clear that the audience had just witnessed a band beginning to outgrow its surroundings. Their Brighton show was more than a celebration of Cannonball; it was a confident statement that the excitement surrounding them is entirely justified. Melodic, unpredictable and spellbinding, the performance offered a glimpse of a band that is only at the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable rise.
Words and photos by Nadine Goetz.
