The Dollyrots & Don’t Panic Live In Manchester

Back in 2023 The Dollyrots hit the UK on the debut headline tour with their friends Don’t Panic, who at the time seemed weirdly obsessed with UK Kebabs and bemused by the concept of dogging, although it’s probably best if you don’t google that one. That tour took place in February which as anyone will tell you is probably not the best time to experience the UK, this time both bands are back in the Spring, and as there are predictions of temperatures rising ahead of their tour it’s well timed. Ok it’s not going to reach the temperatures they are used to but they’ll probably feel a bit more at home, and of course we all know The Dollyrots profess to love a sweaty hug.

The UK must have made a good impression on both bands, and it can’t have just been the kebabs that bought Don’t Panic back across the pond for a deja vu tour of the UK with The Dollyrots. Last time this tour landed in Manchester in the old Factory Records offices of Fac251, musical history aside, let’s just say it’s not the best venue in town. This time they have moved to much more welcoming Aatma that sits upstairs from the Peer Hat in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. This is my first experience of the upstairs space of this unique Manchester venue as I’ve always previously been lurking in the Peer Hat‘s basement for gigs, this will probably also mean those hugs are even sweatier.

We head into Manchester early as we’ve pretty much recovered from the excesses, along with a rather unfortunate festival borne illness, of last weekend’s Manchester Punk Festival. Fighting fit, well close enough, we’re back in town in good time as it’s nice weather, and it’s not like there’s a shortage of places to find food and drink in the Northern Quarter, which we of course take full advantage of, for research purposes for our next review of course. Unsurprisingly the Northern Quarter’s outdoor spaces are packed as nothing draws Mancunians out quite like a few rare rays of sunshine.

We are the only city denied opening act Danny Gruff, which seems odd as he lives near here, but both headliners are here and ready to party so all is well and, after we demolish a plate of tacos at Kongs, we head over to Aatma. It turns out we do have a support act in the shape of Daniel Cotton (When Suddenly) who is delivering an acoustic set in place in the absence of his band mates. He is not normally the singer, or the guitarist, so fair play to him for picking up more than a bit of slack. Like a few acts we saw last weekend at Manchester Punk Fest this is an example of carrying on in the face of adversity, and if I’m honest smashing it.

Don’t Panic enter the stage to a confusing mix of last of the proms and a blend of things that sound they could belong in Team America, with an obvious Fuck Yeah quality. As with my first experience of Don’t Panic, the punk seems to be slightly pushed to the fore live in comparison to their studio recordings, that’s not to say the pop isn’t still present, it’s just overridden when they play live. From my vantage point, with its handy beer resting spot, I can see those down the front are singing along, indicating that their last uk tour made them more than a few friends, I include myself amongst their number.

Three songs in and we are greeted with a “how ya doin Glas… I mean Manchester” which is a Spinal Tap moment to treasure, although it must be said that jet lag is a bitch, there is also some form of apology for confusing the cities, they give up on this and revert to “HOW THE FUCK ARE YA DOIN’”, which works nicely. Although they don’t need to work so hard, there’s a lot of love for Don’t Panic in the room tonight. The band’s set is an effortless lesson in US pop punk, replete with coordinated bouncing, anthemic hooks and catchy as fuck choruses, they also seem to have incorporated some Jay & Silent Bob dance moves into their set. Tonight’s set apparently includes a lot of songs they don’t normally play live, which given they’ve played Manchester once previously doesn’t mean much to majority of the assembled crowd, but we’re not complaining.

This is a solid set of pop punk, or maybe punk pop, I’m past caring, Don’t Panic have made a welcome return to UK shores and like their last visit they’re guaranteed to have made friends, as well as solidifying existing friendships. Kelly Ogden joins them for an upbeat take on Cyndi Lauper‘s Time After Time from their recent covers EP, that just reinforces the feel that this is a fun tour for everyone involved, which is how these things should be. Don’t Panic rev things for their final two songs, with a triumphant finale of Fall of 99. Don’t Panic aren’t going to change to world but they do make it a slightly better place to be in.

The anticipation for The Dollyrots is now of course heightened, and they launch into My Best Friend’s Hot whilst I’m at the bar, which kicks things off in fine style, the song, not the beer. There’s an weird irresistible wholesome energy to the The Dollyrots, Everything is a prime example, this song is so sweet it would normally induce a diabetic coma, but with them it works, I can’t explain this dichotomy. This is The Dollyrots and that means that my normal cynicism gives up and goes home, leaving me to enjoy myself. Every song is just testament to the energy that this duo, along with their revolving cast of drummers (who on this tour is Simon Hancock), that is utterly appealing, there’s just something so damn right about their songs and dynamic.

If they wanted to win me over, which they already have, then including Feed Me Pet Me, which is about their cat, is a guarantee of how to do just that. I Know How To Party, which they clearly do, follows and I’m reminded just how much I love this diminutive and dynamic duo. Looks between them during the set convince me that this is a genuine punk rock love affair, ok there’s also minor bickering, but that’s part of the deal in any long term relationship, and The Dollyrots have been around for more than two decades, even longer as a couple. Every Dollyrots gig feels like a greatest hits tour, except they haven’t had any hits, so it’s just a selection of great songs from their extensive back catalogue.

We get a brief lecture on dental health, and some more bickering, before a brutal Kick Me To The Curb, which also seems to signal an improvement in the sound, which is followed by Brand New Key, which is better known in the UK as a novelty hit sometime in the early 70s, trust me, this version is better. They thank everybody, and I mean everybody, involved in the tour before launching into I Just Want To Play Dead, which is one of my favourite songs from their last album, Night Owls, as it blends 50s rock & roll with punk pop, which no one else does quite like The Dollyrots. This is followed by Twist Me To The Left which is that kind of perfect pop punk that is their hallmark.

Tonight The Dollyrots cover their entire back catalogue going right back to Jackie Chan from their debut album, Eat My Heart Out. Sadly tonight we are denied an appearance by their kids, The Dollytots, as the tour bus is parked some distance from the venue, doubtless they will be a foot taller by the next tour. Kelly recounts their encounters with Pete Shelley of Buzzcocks who booked them as support for a UK tour as they have “pop sensibilities and weren’t all tatted up” which leads to a thank you to the Buzzcocks with an orgasmic break in Dance Like A Maniac, do I need to tell you what the final song was? Tonight The Dollyrots were awesome and so was the closing track.

Afterwards The Dollyrots are out chatting to everyone, and I mean everyone, and signing everything, Kelly confesses to us she is still jet lagged and had to be woken for the VIP acoustic set, but post set she’s still out there chatting away and posing for selfies with everyone. The Dollyrots are how a band should be, they are 100% DIY, their fans love them and they love their fans, sweaty hugs were had and we left our scribbles on Kelly’s tour jacket before wandering off into the night. Only one word describes a Dollyrots tour and you know damn well what it is. 

The Dollyrots and Don’t Panic are on tour in the UK until the 3rd May, The Dollyrots will then be setting sail on Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise before hitting the road again in the Summer on the US West Coast Get On This Ride Tour with Go Betty Go. The Dollyrots have also announced they will be on tour in the Fall in the US with Bowling For Soup and Don’t Panic on the Warped Or Bust Fall Tour 2025. Tickets for all dates are now on sale here.

Live photography courtesy of Gary Hough from Shot From Both Sides