Gustaffson
Low Four Studio, Manchester
21st November 2025
Gustaffson play the first of two intimate gigs (the other in London) following the release of their acclaimed new single, Dance To The Algorithm…
The nights have well and truly drawn in, and you can tell the festive season is quickly approaching by the volume of traffic heading into Manchester city centre. Whether it’s people travelling/attending early office dos, the Christmas Markets or one of the many gigs that’s happening, it’s busy… and it’s cold, bloody cold.
Low Four Studio isn’t a venue I’ve been to before, but I’ve heard good things about it. Nestled behind the historic thoroughfare Deansgate, Deansgate Mews is a mix of independent cafes, bars and assorted eateries. A hidden gem which could easily be overlooked. Despite the evening’s weather, Low Four Studio is a bright, warm and welcoming space, already filling up as I arrive for the evening’s proceedings. I can see why bands choose to play here, and it’s the perfect place for Gustafsson to welcome their friends and fans.
The room is almost full as Andrew Gower positions himself on the centre stool in front of the stage, flanked by the band’s producer Craig Potter and Chris Hawkins (of 6 Music) for an informative ‘in conversation’. The camaraderie between the Elbow keyboard player and Gustafsson frontman is plain to see as they recount how they first met on the set of the 2020 film Running Naked and how they first worked together. Anyone who has heard the band will be familiar with the narrative in the band’s songs, focusing on people, society and culture, something that Gower discusses tonight, explaining that the latest single came about after attending a premiere for the Beatles ’64 documentary and a comment that Giles Martin had made about people now following ‘the algorithm’.
An air of anticipation builds as the conversation finishes and we wait for Gower to return with his band, made up of his lifelong friend and guitarist James Webster, David Gleave on bass and Graham Bennett on drums. Over the next hour, we’re treated to a mix of the album, Black And White Movie, released earlier in 2025, and the new single and three tracks which are set to be recorded in 2026. The quality doesn’t let up throughout the set as they kick off with the longstanding crowd favourite Champagne Socialist.
The sound in the venue is impeccable, perfect to show off the band’s intricate instrumentation, which weaves around Gower’s vocals. New single, Dance To The Algorithm, is played early in the set, just after debut release, The Jacaranda, and is followed by a couple of new tracks, St Francis and Red Town. These are followed by two of the highlights of the album, Flowers and Closer, before another new song, Avignon. The set closes with the triple whammy of Underground, On Broadway and, to rapturous applause, Northern Baby.
Tonight has been a rare opportunity to see a band that, as musicians, are all clearly already at the top of their game, yet still prove the old adage that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. By the time you read this, the London gig will have passed, but keep your eyes open for the band performing in 2026…
For more Gustaffson visit their Facebook, X/Twitter and Official Website
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All words by Iain Key. See his author profile here or find him via his LinkTree
Photography by Debbie Ellis
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