6th November 2023
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On Wednesday, me and my friend Lucy got the chance to attend Renee Rapp’s Manchester concert, set within the iconic AO Arena as part of her current Bite Me tour.
For the most part, the event was amazing but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some drawbacks. Allow me to explain.
Disclaimer: This is my second ever concert, with my first being Beabadoobee in November 2024.
Me and Lucy got into Manchester around 4pm, entering via Oxford Road. In doing so, we immediately made our way to some sort of pub, with the both of us being incredibly indecisive (and yet also pretty picky, especially me). We settled on Sam’s Chop House, where I got my usual classic of Malibu and Coke – I’ve just got a sweet tooth I suppose. Lucy chose a lager, very brave of her. She took her sweet time finishing it but that’s a matter for another day.
After this, we walked towards the food court in pursuit of some cheeky scran, finally choosing Slim Chickens; during this entire time, we had been constantly mentioning it but dismissing the idea, so it seems like it was almost inevitable. I ordered a chicken tenders meal, while Lucy ordered the craziest set of hot wings I’ve ever seen.
They were so hot that they lingered long after we left, with my mouth still lowkey burning by the time we reached the AO Arena. Someone call up Hot Ones because I think we found some competition.
Spoiler alert: Those hot wings were NOT finished. Genuinely way too hot. Plus they made my fingers look like Woody’s in Toy Story 2 when he steps on Al’s Cheetos. Somehow ended up on my neck. Anyway.
We arrived around half 6, expecting a huge surge of people. Our expectations were certainly met. Online discourse suggests it may have appeared rather unorganised, where it seemed like security checked very few bags (me and Lucy both brought bags and weren’t checked), an informal queuing system and a confusing navigation. This perspective is demonstrated from a TikTok by user @ugh_molly, linked here. I do partly agree since mine and Lucy’s tickets weren’t scanned but instead we received a nod of confirmation, which surely can’t be correct.
According to AO’s website, back in 2022, they were the first European arena to use a weapons detection security screening via Evolv Express; this is an “AI-based threat detection screening system…screen[ing] guests as they arrive at the arena for events, without the need to stop or remove items from their pockets or policy-complaint bags”. Therefore, if there’s a cause for concern, the system will inform security and the bag will be checked.
So, I reckon a part of this is that many aren’t aware of this screening procedure (myself included).
However, I understand people’s concerns and the argument to be made that physical checks should still be carried out. After all, this is the same place in which the infamous tragedy of the 2017 Manchester Bombing occurred. And AI isn’t always reliable. Regardless, I believe that the staff simply carried out the duties they normally do.
What I will say is I don’t know how it was authorised for people to start running into the standing area, due to potential injuries. Moreover, the amount of people passing out was rather concerning, with Renee being forced to stop and point this out. Within this TikTok post by @xotwilightzone, one of the individuals who had passed out had endured a seizure, forced to wait over 10 minutes on the ground until someone came to help. Something like this shouldn’t be occurring and venues must be held to a professional standard. I actually saw this person earlier on, so I hope they’re ok and I’m really sorry they had to go through that.
It seems there was also apparently people smoking in the pit, which violates AO’s strict no smoking policy.
In summary, the situation itself is a messy one and there is no clear definitive answer. Some will say security handled the venue poorly, while others will identify their use of the scanning systems and some bags being checked. Some say water was handed out early on, while others state this only happened once Renee made a stance on stage. It’s simply a matter of opinion. While I do think that there were definitely some bad things that happened, I believe that you should decide for yourselves as individuals where you stand on the circumstance.
Regardless, me and Lucy made it in successfully and lined up for the merch stalls. She ended up buying the zip hoodie and I purchased the black t-shirt. We also received some cheeky set of pins and the Mad hat for free as part of our package. Very snazzy.
Meanwhile, I texted my friend Mel as she had messaged me that morning to let me know she was also going to be attending. However, me and Lucy were bougie and able to get premium tickets (the thing with concerts though is that your finances never stop with just the tickets-), where we visited the Skyline Terrace.
I never felt so upper-class and ‘down with the peasants’ in all my life. It was incredible. But also a little alienating, embracing an experience so unfamiliar to me. I tried Old Mout Cider for the first time. It was quite nice but not something I could easily down compared to my typical cocktail endeavours. Knowing I was doing this to eventually sit like royalty in actual seats was definitely a rewarding experience.
Despite this, we still stood up when Renee came on stage as a sign of respect. Although, it felt like no one was dancing with us. Holy buzzkill.
Once we brought the Old Mout with us via plastic cups, me and Lucy travelled to our seats (Block 103 in Row G), where we got the following view:
Not too shabby, if you ask me. At the same time, I think there is something incredibly intimate and exciting about being stood on the floor, being mere feet away from a performer. Also, Mel seemed to have a great view, so I was a little jealous of how close she was to Renee.
Regardless, the show shortly commenced after we reached our seats, with the opening act of South London R&B-inflected pop star Absolutely. I’ll be honest, I’ve never heard of her until I saw her on stage. But she was amazing and the music appealed to my own tastes. My favourite songs of hers were Elevator and I Just Don’t Know You Yet; her vocals in person were phenomenal, heightened by the strobe lighting and other members of her band.
Once Absolutely gave us a stellar opening, we were treated to a video of Renee discussing her collaboration with Save The Children, encouraging us as fans to donate if we could. This was a nice thing to see, helping to break down these barriers that emerge between celebrities and the everyday person. After this, she came out with a fury in a very much Britpop-inspired fit.
Her mannerisms and behaviour was very tongue-and-cheek, which I’m sure made lots of people happy. I found her performance to be very engaging – despite some moments which did make me laugh unintentionally. For instance, the black and white filter used on the screens when she was discussing a sad, tender moment (supplemented by a melancholic piano tune). Or the mirror display in the centre screen which made her arms merge in this weird spider-esque look.
I understand they wanted this deep, dramatic look but it came across as genuinely hilarious.
Moving on, we should address the songs.
Now, I don’t remember every song (since I wasn’t making notes), so I will instead discuss the songs I do remember and what I liked/disliked. To start, my favourite was Good Girl. This is just a personal bias amplified by her live performance, I can’t lie. Whenever I hear that song, it makes me boppy (plus, it’s the one I know a good portion of the lyrics to).
I enjoyed Swim (largely because of mine and Lucy’s ridiculous dance moves, such as our little scuba diving gesture). Leave Me Alone, Mad and Kiss It Kiss It were so fricking good. So was Poison, Poison, I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone and Talk Too Much.
Shy was decent. Not My Fault was incomplete because Renee was forced to point out another person who had passed out. However, from what I’ve heard, she only does some of it anyway because of course it was a collaborative piece with Megan Thee Stallion.
In the Kitchen was absolute cinema and so was Sometimes. That’s so Funny just isn’t really my vibe, a bit too depressing for my liking (this is coming from a guy who loves Don’t Tell My Mom and Swim-).
Also, did she even end up doing Colorado? I saw it on a Spotify playlist (linked here) which said it had the setlist for this tour but I don’t remember her singing it. If she did, it clearly didn’t stick in my head.
In conclusion, I did really enjoy my night in the AO Arena, getting to see an artist which has grown on me so much and discover a new niche one via Absolutely. However, the night brought with it a good bit of unease and instability. I hope everyone who came to the concert is doing alright and that next time, people don’t leave with the same conflicting experience as mine and others.
What are your thoughts? Did you attend the concert? Email me at johnjoyce4535@gmail.com!
Check out my last article: Nostalgia Done Right – A Resident Evil 9 Review
Or why not check out my website! I published a blog called Linguistics: 101 a while back, serving as an intro to linguistics.
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