Stiff Little Fingers

Manchester Academy – 14/03/25

Reviewed By: John A Gilman (also photo)

Stiff Little Fingers have been around for a long time – since 1977 to be precise – and from the moment they exploded out of Belfast’s punk scene with their incendiary debut single Suspect Device, it was clear they were destined for something special. Born in the midst of The Troubles, their music has always carried a fierce, uncompromising message, combining political bite with undeniable hooks. Over the years, band members have come and gone, with frontman Jake Burns and bassist Ali McMordie remaining the original torchbearers, but the fire still burns just as brightly. If anyone in Manchester Academy on Thursday night expected a band simply coasting on nostalgia, they were quickly proven wrong.

Opening with Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae was a bold and unexpected move. Traditionally a late-set favorite, kicking off the night with its infectious groove set the tone perfectly – this wasn’t going to be a gig that eased in gently. The decision paid off. The crowd, which had been a little subdued during Ricky Warwick’s solid support set, came alive the second the first chords rang out. It’s true that a lot of us aren’t getting any younger – knees creaking, lungs burning – but it was heartening to see a new generation of fans shoulder to shoulder with the veterans, belting out every word. The band’s ethos of inclusivity and unity, summed up by their “Hate Has No Home Here” mantra, was reflected in the atmosphere: loud, passionate, but always welcoming.

From there, the band barely let up. At the Edge and Wasted Life followed in rapid succession, each song landing like a punch to the gut. A real treat for long-time fans came early with a rare outing for Won’t Be Told, a track that doesn’t always make the setlist but was greeted with rapturous cheers. Between songs, Jake Burns’ easy charm and self-deprecating humor provided a perfect counterbalance to the band’s ferocity. Few frontmen can switch from delivering razor-sharp political commentary to cracking jokes about technical mishaps with such ease, but Burns does it effortlessly.

One of the night’s standout moments came with a brand-new song, Mary’s Boy Child – “Not the Boney M one,” Jake quipped before launching into it. On first listen, it’s a classic SLF track: biting lyrics, a driving rhythm, and that unmistakable sense of righteous anger. Even with nearly five decades under their belt, the band isn’t content to rest on past glories – they’re still writing songs that speak to the moment, still pushing forward.

A particularly joyful hiccup came during Piccadilly Circus, when Ali’s bass lead fell out in the intro , forcing the band to restart. “Only been playing forty-odd years,” Jake joked, drawing laughter from the crowd. Moments like these remind you that underneath the intensity, there’s a band who genuinely enjoy what they do – and that sense of fun is infectious.

For all their willingness to throw in surprises, the backbone of the set leaned – as it always does – on the twin pillars of their classic albums Inflammable Material and Nobody’s Heroes. The second half of the set was a relentless barrage of fan favorites: Just Fade Away, Nobody’s Hero, and, of course, the mighty Suspect Device. Each song landed with the same raw power it did decades ago, a testament to how timeless this music remains. It’s no small feat that after all these years, they can still pack out Manchester Academy – and this being my third time seeing them in three years (always in March, no less), it feels almost like an annual pilgrimage at this point.

The encore was the perfect capstone to the night. Barbed Wire Love was a welcome inclusion, its mix of melody and aggression still irresistible after all these years. But let’s be honest – it wouldn’t be an SLF gig without Alternative Ulster to close things out. The opening riff alone sent the mosh pit into overdrive, even if a few of us needed to catch our breath halfway through. Punk may not be dead, but it definitely appreciates a mid song breather these days. Still, seeing younger fans throwing themselves into the chaos with the same abandon as the old guard was a reminder of why this music endures. It’s raw, it’s real, and it still means something.

As the last notes rang out and sweat-drenched fans spilled into the cold Manchester night, one thing was clear – Stiff Little Fingers aren’t just going through the motions. They still have something to say, and they’re saying it louder than ever. If you’ve ever considered seeing them live but wondered whether they still had the spark, don’t hesitate – get yourself a ticket next March. I’ll see you in the pit.

Setlist:

1. Roots, Radics, Rockers… (Bunny Wailer cover)

2. At the Edge

3. Wasted Life

4. Won’t Be Told

5. Strummerville

6. Mary’s Boy Child (new song, not the Boney M one)

7. Straw Dogs

8. Piccadilly Circus (restarted after Ali’s bass lead fell out)

9. Just Fade Away

10. Each Dollar a Bullet

11. Harp

12. My Dark Places

13. Nobody’s Hero

14. Tin Soldiers

15. Suspect Device

16. Gotta Gettaway

Encore:

17. Barbed Wire Love

18. Alternative Ulster