13-12-2025 2 min to read

Inspiral Carpets @ Albert Hall Manchester

A stomping hometown return from true Madchester originals

🎸 Inspiral Carpets Albert Hall Manchester

13th December | Albert Hall

I’ll admit it straight away I have a soft spot for Inspiral Carpets.

This is a band I followed locally when they were just getting going, back when you’d catch them in sweaty rooms like The Mare & Foal, The Castle, The Hurricane, and anywhere else that would have them.

I’ve got the rare vinyls.
I’ve seen the band grow, change and endure.
And nights like this remind you exactly why they matter.

🐄 Madchester Royalty Back on Home Turf

The Albert Hall felt like the perfect setting for this show grand, atmospheric, and buzzing with anticipation. From the moment the band hit the stage, it was clear this wasn’t a nostalgia exercise.

This was a stomping return.

The crowd was right there with them, packed tight and ready to bounce, and the band delivered the kind of set that reminded everyone why Inspiral Carpets were and still are a vital part of Manchester’s musical DNA.

🎶 New Music, Same Spirit

One of the biggest thrills of the night was hearing new material a proper sign that this band is still moving forward.

They rolled out a couple of tracks from their upcoming album due for release in the summer:

“Drag the Bag”
“There’s a Better Way”

Both sounded punchy, confident and unmistakably Inspiral familiar enough to feel right, but fresh enough to prove there’s still plenty of fire left.

⭐ A Band That Never Phones It In

Clint Boon remains a force charismatic, joyful and completely locked into the crowd
Graham Lambert, Martyn Walsh and Stephen Holt keep that driving groove tight and relentless
And Kev Clark joining the band after losing a great lad and drummer in Gilly feels part of the groove now and thats a credit to him and the band.

This is a band that plays like it means it no coasting, no going through the motions.

❤️ Why I’ll Always Show Up

There are bands you see because you like a few songs.
And then there are bands you see because they’re part of who you are.

Inspiral Carpets fall firmly into the second category for me.

They’ve soundtracked youth, nights out, record hunting and gigs where you’d stick to the floor and come home hoarse. Seeing them still doing it this well still writing, still touring, still absolutely smashing it, is something special.