Future Palace brought their explosive blend of alternative metal, post-hardcore and electronic sounds to Manchester Academy 3 on 5 November 2026 as part of their Deep Blue Tour. More than just a night of heavy music, the performance offered an emotional message about mental health, resilience and the importance of holding on to hope.
Opening the evening were Luna Kills, the Finnish modern metal band fronted by Lotta Ruutiainen. Their combination of crushing riffs, electronic elements and contrasting vocal styles delivered an energetic introduction to the night’s proceedings. Also joining the line-up were British five-piece Defences, whose atmospheric approach to alternative metal and metalcore, led by vocalist Cherry Duesbury, provided another powerful performance. Both bands perfectly complemented Future Palace’s emotionally charged musical identity.
When the German trio took to the stage, vocalist Maria Lessing immediately demonstrated why she is such a compelling presence. Moving effortlessly between delicate melodies and fierce screams, she brought extraordinary emotional depth to the band’s performance. Supported by Manuel Kohlert’s guitar work and Johannes Früchtenicht’s driving drums, Future Palace did a great job balancing aggression with atmospheric electronic passages.
But probably the evening’s most meaningful moments came through the band’s openness about mental health. Their latest album, Resurgence, released on 31 July 2026, explores trauma, depression, isolation and the difficult journey towards rediscovering oneself. During their conversations with the audience, the Maria explained how personal struggles can become creative expression and how sharing these experiences can help others feel less alone. She delivered a particularly memorable message: "Never stop losing hope for a better future". Those words captured the essence of the evening. Beneath the heavy guitars and powerful screams lies a band determined to encourage vulnerability, understanding and emotional recovery.
The intimate setting of Manchester Academy 3 made these words feel especially personal. The audience was not simply watching a performance, but sharing an experience built around music and human connection.
Manchester was part of the band’s four-date UK run, which continued in Glasgow and Leeds. Future Palace is now heading back to Europe, with Milan on 12 November and Zürich on 13 November, followed by further dates across Central Europe and Germany.
