Madball – Manchester Rebellion, Manchester -6TH FEBRUARY 2025 – Gig Review

Tonight was a venture to Manchester to catch Madball, Lethal Minds, Chain of Survival and Going Off at Manchester Rebellion presented by Tapestry Promotions.

Madball, the unstoppable force of New York Hardcore, returned to the UK, and tonight, it was Manchester’s turn to experience the chaos. Despite the band’s long-standing presence since 1988 (coincidentally, the year I was born!), this was my first time seeing them live—and they did not disappoint. But before diving into their electrifying set, let’s give credit to the other bands that made the night even more unforgettable.

Lethal Minds kicked things off, immediately channeling high-energy intensity into the crowd. From the first note, their vocalist commanded the stage, and the band delivered a set packed with crushing beatdowns. The audience responded in kind, turning the floor into a whirlwind of movement—a prime example of British Hardcore at its best.

Next up were Chains of Survival, bringing a raw, old-school hardcore sound. While their style had a grittier edge than the previous act, I found myself a little distracted by the overpowering kick drum, which drowned out much of the set. That said, they held their own and kept the momentum going.

Then came Going Off, and as their name suggests, they absolutely set the place off. Not to be cliché, but the energy was electric! With fierce crowd interaction, razor-sharp execution, and song variations that kept things fresh, they left me wanting more—in the best way possible. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for their future shows.

Finally, the moment we had all been waiting for—Madball. This being my first time seeing them live, my expectations were high, and they exceeded every single one. Their set was flawless, delivered with the raw passion and precision that has kept them at the top of the hardcore scene for decades. Even with fans constantly jumping on stage to crowd surf or dance, the band never missed a beat. In fact, they actively encouraged it, making the set feel even more immersive. From classic anthems (some as old as me!) to newer tracks, every song hit with the same ferocity. If you had never heard Madball before, you wouldn’t have known the difference—every track was delivered with the same relentless intensity.

All in all, it was an unforgettable night filled with incredible performances. I can’t wait to catch Madball again and experience that unmatched energy once more.