FLORENTENES – A NIGHT OF INDIE BRILLIANCE

DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER, UK – MARCH 13TH, 2025

WORDS AND IMAGES ISOBEL EVE SCOTT

---

It’s yet another indie band night at Manchester’s iconic Deaf Institute, and tonight, the venue on Oxford Road is buzzing with anticipation. Headlining the night is Manchester’s very own Florentenes, performing a special one-off show that has the local crowd excited. The venue, with its intimate setting and quirky decor, provides the perfect atmosphere for an evening of rising indie talent, and it’s clear that this is a night for both seasoned fans and those discovering new music.

The first opener of the night is The Painted Ceilings, an alternative indie group hailing from Merseyside. Having formed only a few years ago, this relatively new band is still in the process of establishing themselves, but they’ve already started to make waves. Their first album, Maybe There’s a Difference, which was released in October of last year, has been steadily gaining attention, and tonight they’re here to showcase their eclectic sound to the Manchester crowd.

The band has a pretty varied musical palette, and it’s evident from the set they play tonight. Tracks like ‘You’re 23’ introduce a funky vibe that gets the audience nodding along, while ‘Luciana’ leans more into a traditional indie rock sound that wouldn’t feel out of place headlining a night like this. One of the highlights of their set is the unreleased track, ‘If I Give You My Time,’ which presents a more mellow and introspective side to the band’s music. It’s always exciting to hear new material live, and The Painted Ceilings definitely leave the crowd wanting more.

What’s particularly notable about this band is how collaborative their songwriting appears to be. Throughout the set, numerous songs are introduced as having been written by different members of the four-piece group, which adds a dynamic and diverse feel to their performance. The absolute standout for me, however, is the track ‘Ascoltami ti Prego,’ written by the band’s bassist. With its almost ska-influenced rhythm, this song brings a refreshing twist to their sound, and I can’t wait to hear it again once it gets an official release. It’s clear that The Painted Ceilings have a lot more to offer, and I’m excited to see where they go from here.

SETLIST

1/ Paranoid

2/ You’re 23

3/ If I Give You My Time

4/ Luciana

5/ Ascoltami ti Prego

6/ Caught Between Two Minds

After a solid performance from The Painted Ceilings, it’s time for the next opener, New House Farm , a shoegaze-inspired band from Bolton. Like the previous act, they’re a relatively new band, but their sound already feels well-defined and polished. It’s really great to see Florentenes supporting smaller, emerging acts like these, giving them a platform to reach a wider audience.

As they dive into their set, I notice a very clear shoegaze influence in their music, with dreamy, layered guitars and ethereal vocals creating an immersive sonic atmosphere. The crowd seems to warm up to them quickly, especially during tracks like ‘Then We Go Out,’ which stands out as a fan favourite. Another highlight is ‘Wish You’d Known,’ a personal favourite of mine with its melancholic yet uplifting vibe. With their debut EP, The Art of Figuring It Out, on the horizon, I’m looking forward to hearing more from them in the near future.

New House Farm is clearly on the rise, and their upcoming gig at Band On The Wall on April 27th for Hot House Manchester is sure to be one to watch.

SETLIST

1/ Wait For Me

2/ How We Speak

3/ Then We Go Out

4/ 60/40

5/ Untitled New Track

6/ Wish You’d Known

7/ Home

By the time Florentenes take the stage, the Deaf Institute is packed to the brim, and the atmosphere is electric. For a band that only has seven songs available on streaming platforms, they’ve managed to draw an impressive crowd, and it’s a testament to the power of word-of-mouth and the unique landscape of music marketing today. The room tightens as eager fans press closer to the stage, clearly excited to see a band that doesn’t often headline their own shows.

As frontman William Smith takes the mic, he jokes about how the band isn’t used to not having to explain who they are to an audience, highlighting how many support gigs they’ve played in the past. The easy banter immediately puts the crowd at ease, and it’s clear that Florentenes have cultivated a dedicated fanbase, even with their relatively small catalog.

The setlist tonight is an intriguing mix, with an entire half made up of unreleased music. It’s a bold move, but the crowd is surprisingly receptive, embracing the new material with open arms. If the purpose of this gig was to test the waters with their latest creations, Florentenes have certainly received a resounding “Yes” from their fans. The energy builds as the set progresses, with unreleased tracks like ‘A Step In The Right Direction’ and ‘Miss Understands’ leaving a lasting impression. Each song reveals a different facet of the band’s evolving sound, hinting at exciting things to come.

Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without a nod to their more familiar material, and Florentenes deliver in spades with their two closing tracks. ‘Just Like A Friend’ and ‘Glue’ are met with an absolutely ecstatic reaction from the crowd, with many fans clearly waiting for these songs all night. The energy in the room reaches a fever pitch as the band pours everything into their performance, creating a truly memorable ending to the evening.

Before leaving the stage, the band takes a photo with the crowd and even throws a few shirts into the audience, leaving everyone on a spectacular high. It’s a night that perfectly encapsulates the excitement of discovering new music and seeing a beloved local band rise to new heights. As the crowd slowly disperses into the cool Manchester night, there’s a palpable sense of satisfaction, and I, for one, can’t wait to see where Florentenes go from here.

SETLIST

1/ The Gun

2/ Fuel For The Flame

3/ A Step In The Right Direction (Unreleased)

4/ Did You Ever?

5/ Miss Understands (Unreleased)

6/ The News (Unreleased)

7/ Death While Standing

8/ Scarecrows (Unreleased)

9/ Gone

10/ What It Takes (Unreleased)

11/ Madeline (Unreleased)

12/ Undiscovered Colours (Unreleased)

13/ Just Like A Friend

14/ Glue