Lynyrd Skynyrd – AO Arena Manchester (15/07/2025)
Review & Photo By John A Gilman
Back in the early eighties, a certain 12” vinyl of that song was a permanent resident on my beloved Hi-Fi turntable. That unmistakable southern drawl easing into ‘I can’t change,’ that solo, that ending – it was all a massive influence on my early forays into music. It fuelled my teenage dreams of being in a band myself and cemented Lynyrd Skynyrd as one of the bands I would forever hold close.
Fast forward to this week, and here we are, witnessing their 50th anniversary tour celebrating their iconic debut album. I knew this was not one to miss. Honestly, I had my doubts about them playing arena size venues– the last time I saw them was a decade ago at the much smaller Apollo, and it felt right-sized then. But as the large crowd steadily poured in, my worries melted away. The place filled up with old rockers, lifelong fans, and a healthy sprinkling of younger faces proudly wearing Skynyrd shirts inherited from parents or freshly bought for the occasion.
They opened with Working for the MCA, tearing straight into a set packed with fan favourites alongside curveball album tracks that delighted the die-hards. Third song in, That Smell had everyone up on their feet, dancing and singing along. Johnny Van Zant had a playful dig at the quietness of the crowd early on, but he needs to remember – this demographic is made up of the old guard now. We’re not spring chickens anymore; we take a bit longer to loosen up, knees aching as we stand, but our spirits remain unbreakable. Besides, the younger ones among us soon filled in the gaps with raw energy.
By the time they hit Gimme Back My Bullets, the arena was well and truly rocking. Highlights for me included a gritty Cry for the Bad Man, a powerful The Needle and the Spoon – with Johnny’s heartfelt advice to “stay away from that shit,” – and a beautifully poignant Tuesday’s Gone that had many visibly moved.
The big hitters were yet to come. A stunning version of Simple Man had phone lights flickering across the arena like fireflies. Tributes to the late Gary Rossington featured throughout, reminding us of the band’s resilience and the legacy they carry forward with every note. Then it was back to the boogie-tinged Gimme Three Steps, a rollicking Call Me The Breeze (a JJ Cale cover done justice), and of course, Sweet Home Alabama which had the whole arena singing as one, from the front rows to the highest seats.
After a short break, it was time for that song. The band returned for Freebird, opening with its hauntingly iconic intro accompanied by footage of the classic seventies lineup projected across the stage. As the song built to its legendary climax, Johnny quietly left the stage, leaving Ronnie Van Zant’s vocals from that classic live performance to soar over the band, his trademark hat resting on the mic stand centre stage in a deeply moving moment. Ricky Medlocke absolutely nailed that iconic solo, note for note, infusing it with just enough of his own fire to make it both faithful and fresh.
They may no longer be the original lineup, but these guys continue to honour and extend the legacy of one of rock’s greatest bands with authenticity, passion, and respect. It felt like a celebration of everything Skynyrd was and still is – a powerful tribute to their past and a testament to the timelessness of their music.
Setlist:
1. Working for the MCA
2. What’s Your Name
3. That Smell
4. I Know a Little
5. Saturday Night Special
6. Down South Junkin’
7. Gimme Back My Bullets
8. Cry for the Bad Man
9. The Needle and the Spoon
10. Tuesday’s Gone
11. Simple Man
12. Gimme Three Steps
13. Call Me The Breeze (JJ Cale cover)
14. Sweet Home Alabama
Encore:
15. Freebird (extended solo)