Kris Barras Band & 10 Years Deliver an Emotional Night in Manchester on Final Tour
Kris Barras Band, alongside 10 Years, delivered a show to remember at Manchester’s Club Academy as part of their final-ever tour, which also celebrated their sixth studio album, Monsters We Made. With the venue packed with die-hard fans, 650 people descended into the basement of the students’ union, where the close proximity between the bands and the audience made every lyric feel even more intimate. As this show marked a final goodbye from Manchester’s fans to Kris Barras Band, the atmosphere was electric even before the doors opened. That energy continued deep into the night, with post-show conversations filled with nothing but praise for the two incredible bands that took to the stage. From powerful performances to deeply personal moments, the evening was a celebration of the music and memories that have defined Kris Barras Band’s journey over the past 11 years.
The Knoxville alt-rockers 10 Years set the scene for the night, transforming the room into their own personal stage. With this tour alongside Kris Barras Band marking their first UK appearance in four years, following their tour with Three Days Grace in 2022, there was no doubt they were prepared for an emotionally charged performance that would rock the room. Performing fan favourite ‘Waking Up’, an old-school track from the beginning of the band’s 25-year discography, the atmosphere shifted as vocalist Jesse Hasek sang the opening lyrics. Their chilling cover of Nirvana’s ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ further demonstrated the band’s immense reach. Every song struck a chord deep within the audience, regardless of how long they had been part of the 10 Years family, or whether they had even heard of the band before.
Cheers from the crowd had already begun before Kris Barras Band even stepped onto the stage, and they started incredibly strong with the fan favourite ‘Who Needs Enemies’, turning the venue into a massive sing-along from the very first track. Their energy was immense, matched by undeniable stage presence and incredible musical talent. ‘Unspoken’ was the first track from the new album, Monsters We Made, to feature in the set, shifting the energy in the room once again. Seeing both the band and their fans embrace the new and old eras of Kris Barras Band’s music from the past 11 years felt truly intimate and meaningful. It was a celebration of how far the band had come, yet also a bittersweet ending to such an incredible journey.
Kris Barras then shared a deeply personal tribute to his dad, who was a huge inspiration to him and whom he lost at the age of 54. His dad never got to see Kris living out his dreams as a musician, making ‘Watching Over Me’, written in his memory, even more powerful. Every emotion was beautifully conveyed throughout the song, and with the room illuminated by phone flashlights, it was safe to say that this sombre tribute resonated with everyone in attendance. Next, the mood was turned on its head with the vibrant and lively ‘Ignite (Light It Up)’, while the encore of ‘Hail Mary’ brought the room together as one big family of Kris Barras Band fans, old and new.
The tour will conclude in Torquay, the city where it all started for the band, on 16 October. Every show leading up to that final date serves as a powerful reminder of the journey they have taken, as well as an incredible achievement for Kris Barras and the rest of the band to look back on as this chapter of their lives comes to a close. Yet the fans of Kris Barras Band will always be there, cherishing every song they played in Manchester and beyond.
