No Band is an Island live review: One year anniversary triumphs at YES

It was one year to the day of the first ever No Band Is an Island gig, consisting of local bands Westside Cowboy, pushbike, Holly Head, and Martial Arts. The first event took place in the upstairs part of well-loved Withington bar Fuel, in February 2025. This time, however, the capacity was almost tenfold, with the Pink Room at YES packed to the rafters for a sold-out show. Of course, this was no simple repeat of the original gig. In the last year, headliners Westside Cowboy have had an astronomical rise to stardom, being signed to an imprint of Universal’s Island Records, selling out their January 2026 UK tour, and winning Glastonbury Festival’s emerging talent competition, securing a slot on the iconic Woodsies stage. There was an undeniable sense of anticipation throughout the night for the rodeo finale, which did somewhat undermine the other sets of the night. 

Exeter’s pushbike opened the proceedings, and held their own on the night’s stacked line-up. The set opened with the band’s bassist shouting “do you want crank wave or do you want the truth?”, which was very apt for their style of irreverent slacker-rock. Their guitarist glided across the stage, and recent release 'i read nothing' was a highlight, alongside 2024’s standout 'Bet You Know'. pushbike’s future seems promising, and the band have followed in the footsteps of line-up pals Martial Arts, having been announced for Rotterdam’s legendary Left of The Dial festival taking place this October. 

Westside Cowboy’s tour support Holly Head continued the proceedings with their math-rock-inspired post-punk, even getting a mosh pit going on their final song, the new single 'No Country is an Island' which provided some much-needed momentum at the end of the set. What did become clear during their time on stage, however, is the night’s community spirit in action. There was a conviviality between those in the crowd, with murmurs of who knew who in what band and gigs they themselves had played with those on the line-up. There was no competitive atmosphere, however, testifying more to the strength of Manchester’s community of new bands, its music scene, and array of venues that are accessible for new bands to play in.

Martial Arts’ nineties-influenced slacker-rock complemented the rest of the line-up perfectly, and reflected their years of experience with the post-punk live scene, having headlined The Windmill in Brixton with Holly Head as their support back in 2025. Their new, currently unreleased material showed as much promise as 2024 singles 'Warsaw' and 'Defector', if not more. It was heartening to see the growth of all four bands in the space of a year, and their support of each other in doing so. It's easy to see why they've been chosen to play alongside other emerging acts such as TTSSFU, and their journey is not one to stop watching.

Before Westside Cowboy took to the stage, it was time for David of new political collective Take Back Power to remind us of the importance of the evening, with all proceeds going to UK-Med’s Gaza Hospital appeal, a vital charity that helps those suffering in the midst of Israel’s genocide. David also promoted the work Take Back Power is doing in the city. However, the speech running for thirty minutes felt slightly self-congratulatory, even if everything being said was heartfelt, convincing and important.

This running over had resulted in RNCM alumni Westside Cowboy coming on stage half an hour late, and only playing seven songs. Still, their set was a triumph, including the loudest “Westside” chant intro to debut single 'I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)' perhaps ever seen. After seeing Westside Cowboy multiple times across the past few years, it's safe to say that this was their most energetic set yet. That being said, their set could have done with the removal of slow burner 'Strange Taxidermy' in favour of more upbeat songs 'Shells' or 'Drunk Surfer', because two downbeat songs ending the set did make the evening plateau a little. 

Still, No Band is an Island’s anniversary showcase was a celebration of four bands at their best so far, and an honour to the very spirit of Manchester in community coming together in solidarity and action. The night was an important antidote to the divisive campaign far-right party Reform UK ran in the nearby constituency of Gorton and Denton. The night, perhaps, was a symbol of what happens when the city unites: no band is an island - and no Mancunian, whether native or adopted, is either.