Sports Team Concert Review: 'We're so back'

Without doubt, Sports Team never fail to put on a full-energy performance, bringing their incredible indie rock spirit to the Manchester Academy.

Sports Team performing at Manchester Academy// CREDIT: Kyle Roczniak

The band’s distinctive style of music shone through a mixture of music from their previous albums, as well as their latest album Boys These Days, with their deluxe version being released on the same night! Illustrating the band’s ability to craft an amazing setlist – a small quality that fans find massively admirable.

Kicking off the set with their upbeat banger “The Game,” preparing the whole room, ready for the lively show ahead.

The night was all the more exciting due to the great audience engagement, not to mention that the venue was packed with a mixture of ‘OG’ fans, newbies, and music lovers who will walk away from the night with a new favourite band.

The constant mosh pits, crowd surfing, and the cheering between each and every song — the atmosphere was everything you could imagine when thinking about an iconic night to remember.

The band themselves not only had the perfect sound, but also the perfect image. They were impeccably dressed too, playing a significant role in the band’s whole persona — from shirts, collars and pinstripe blazers to rocking all the classic 90s colours.

Frontman Alex Rice is truly unstoppable with his eccentric stage presence. Between launching his sunglasses into the crowd and incorporating impulsive antics, such as climbing on top of the speakers during “Kutcher.” Clearly fuelled with passion and adrenaline, there was never a dull moment.

Sports Team released their first album Deep Down Happy back in 2020. However, the significance of their tunes to their fans lives on. This show was evidence of that, particularly when they finished with the iconic track “Here’s The Thing.”

Back in 2019, I first saw Sports Team and was immediately taken aback by their performance. As a music lover, it was amazing to witness how the seven members have grown as a band. The statement “We’re so back” yelled by Alex really resonated.

There isn’t anything not to love about Sports Team; they have got everything that makes a band loveable. As well as being insanely talented musicians, the night was truly brought to life with the band’s humour and character. In addition to their original songs, they also sang a snippet of “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Call Me Maybe,” adding a silly karaoke moment to the night.

No matter the size of the venue, the band’s reputation for having a friendly and interactive approach with fans continues to shine.

Despite being professionals, rather than treating the crowd as numbers, they value their opinions. In the moment, there was a very strong resemblance to iconic indie bands such as The 1975 and Catfish and the Bottlemen, who are known for leaving the fate of their songs in listeners’ hands.

If you thrive on live music and haven't attended a Sports Team concert, you're seriously missing out!

I believe that the band have got so much talent and personality to share with their followers and encourage people to give them a listen and support their exciting future in the music industry.