Feeder 'Comfort In Sound' Review Manchester Academy 2/10/2025

By Sarah Fisher ~ Sarah in the pit

Feeder’s Comfort In Sound tour has been what I believe to be the most special tour for Feeder fans to date. As a fan myself and speaking with others across various tour dates, some of which have attended over 100 shows. It seems synonymous that this tour has been a firm favourite for the fans.

The album 'Comfort In Sound' was written by Feeder's lead guitarist/singer songwriter Grant Nicholas, at a time of grieving and loss of their drummer and dear friend Jon Lee. Listening to Grant’s voice notes about the album, he wrote the songs and shared them with Taka Hirose, Feeders bass player, at a time where it wasn’t known if Feeder would even go on after losing one of their founding members. Grant and Taka had gone back to their roots to grieve on their own. Taka came back over to the UK from his family home in Japan to visit Grant. Grant played Taka the songs he had written not knowing if Taka would want to still make music, or even continue as a band. Taka loved what Grant had written and the album we know and love ‘Comfort In Sound’ was born.

I couldn’t write this review without feeling the emotions of loss and empathising with both Grant and Taka. I’m literally sat typing away with tears streaming down my face. So to play the entire album about the loss and grieving for their dear friend and fellow founding band member Jon Lee, for 7 Sold out shows, must have been incredibly hard for the both of them.

The show starts with with Aya Takano’s beautiful, melancholy angel (the artwork from the album) coming to life on the big screen, whilst raw and etherial instrumental version of what sounds like ‘just the way I’m feeling’ plays. It feels like the angel is apearing to bring comfort in a time of great loss. The band appear on stage and take their positions and start playing ‘Just The Way I'm Feeling’. The band run through the entirety of the ‘Comfort In Sound’ album seamlessly. Tommy Gleeson’s backing vocals and guitar blend so well with Grant’s and add that extra something to an already dynamic duo, along with Geoff Holroyd on the drums. Taka’s bass keeps the vibes and he always gets the crowd going when he needs them to clap, sing or go wild. Once the last song on the album ‘Moonshine’ is played, a loop of the drum keeps going whilst the band bow their heads in respect as a picture of the late Jon Lee appears on the big screen behind. The crowd cheer and clap for what feels like five minutes. It’s an emotional end to the album setlist and beautiful tribute to Jon Lee. The band walk off stage...

Grant reappears a few minuets later with an acoustic guitar. He explains that they wanted to play the entirety of the album without addressing the audience. I believe this was as a mark of respect for Jon Lee and also to keep the band in the zone whilst they play through these highly emotional songs.

Grant asks the audience to sing along with him. He starts playing ‘High’ a fan favourite that was played at the end of every show on the ‘Black/Red’ tour. The crowd know the assignment and start singing and waving their arms side to side. After Grant’s acoustic number, the rest of the band re-joined him on stage with a special guest on the drums, Mark Richardson, who played on the recording of the album. Mark had the crowd cheering and applauding at his presence on stage and when he started drumming to some of Feeders most iconic, loved songs, the melodic ‘Feeling A Moment’ had the crowd singing, whilst energetic ‘Pushing The Senses’ sent the crowd into hyper mosh pit mode! After playing for a couple of songs, Mark came down to the barricade to hand out his used drum sticks to some of Feeders loved fans who attend every show.

Grant then teased the riff of ‘Buck Rodgers’ and the crowd got excited! Everyone was jumping and singing at the top of their lungs! Grant originally wrote the song for another band. He spouted out nonsense lyrics in order for the other band to rewrite their own lyrics to the tune of ‘Buck Rodgers’. Feeder's Label loved the song so much that Feeder released the song with the nonsense lyrics themselves and it became one of their biggest hits to date! I’m yet to meet a person that doesn’t know the song. It’s an indie anthem!

To sum up the night, it was the best Feeder tour and show I have ever attended. Manchester was my 9th show since they played Leeds Festival back in 2008. From a reviewers point of view, it was a perfect show. The band played seamlessly and the crowd listened, sang along and jumped around. The fans I spoke to thought it was an amazing night and their favourite tour to date. I also met some people after the show who were in the audience but didn’t know too many Feeder songs. They told me that they loved every minute of the show and couldn’t wait to listen to the album back home. It was the perfect mix of playing the album seamlessly and respectfully, then having a party after to celebrate the music, the fans and the life of Jon Lee. The album brings comfort to myself and other fans whenever we hear it. It’s like a big familiar comfort blanket of sound that gives us all a big hug when life get hard and when life is good, its like singing along to your favourite songs on a sunny day.

Setlist:

1. Just The Way I’m Feeling

2. Come Back Around

3. Helium

4. Child In You

5. Comfort In Sound

6. Forget About Tomorrow

7. Summer’s Gone

8. Godzilla

9. Quick Fade

10. Find The Colour

11. Love Pollution

12. Moonshine

Encore:

13. High (acoustic solo Grant)

14. Feeling A Moment (Mark on drums)

15. Pushing The Senses (Mark on drums)

16. Buck Rodgers

17. Just A Day

Written word and photos by Sarah Fisher ~ Sarah in the pit

o date. As fan myself and speaking with other fans across various tour dates, some of which have a