There are some bands, where you can tell instantly that they will be back in much larger venues before long. As I stand watching and listening to We Three, it’s obvious that they are one. They are headlining at the sold out 470 capacity Manchester Academy 3, but it’s clear that they could (and will!) sell out much larger venues next time they’re on this side of the Atlantic.
The crowd is clearly pumped before We Three head out on stage and when they do, there are huge cheers. They make an energetic start to what is a largely upbeat set with Bad Guy, setting the tone for the night. By the second track vocalist Manny Humlie is practically in the crowd already – it hasn’t taken long and hints early on at the strong interactions the band will have with their fans throughout. It’s clear that this is a trio who really do put their fans at the heart of things – they are completely at ease talking, laughing and joking with the crowd and it’s reciprocated. The fans are constantly singing back to them, shouting, cheering, adoring.
Whilst the strong set is filled with upbeat tracks and soaring highs, there is also plenty of contrast, with the stunning song Heaven’s Not Too Far demonstrating this perfectly. Heartfelt, emotional and dramatic, it has the crowd hooked.
The sibling trio is in many ways difficult to pinpoint, as they bring in a range of sounds to their music – pop, rock, dance, funk and even swing can be heard weaving their way in at various stages, and they are certainly not immune to dropping in some 80’s style riffs. There are hints of film noir, and at times it sounds like they could easily have penned the soundtrack to a 90’s thriller, noughties romcom or 80’s action movie. It makes for an interesting and addictive mix.
There are several standout moments – their playful side comes out through Bad At Love; 30,000 ft is an absolutely winner; 3AM features an instantly addictive opening and a keys only accompaniment to Lifeline is a stunning moment.
It’s easy to see why they are building such a strong following – they are slick and polished but at the same time natural, authentic and honest. The family bond shines through as does their clear love of what they do and their fans.
image courtesy @markwiththecameraWe Three at Manchester Academy 3 - 10 October 2022
image courtesy @markwiththecamera
image of We Three courtesy @markwiththecamera
