Irish rock band Somebody’s Child have been forced to cancel their Manchester show at the last minute, just hours before they were due to perform — leaving fans devastated, including one who said they had travelled “all the way from Brazil” to see the group.
Frontman Cian Godfrey is reportedly suffering from illness and has been advised to rest his voice. The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon through the New Century venue’s social media accounts.
In a statement, the band said: “We’re heartbroken to say we have to postpone tonight’s show at New Century in Manchester. Cian has been struggling with illness and needs to rest his voice so he can recover properly.”
They continued: “Manchester is one of our favourite places to play, and we were so excited for tonight. We know how disappointing this is, especially for those who’ve travelled or made plans to be there. We’re truly sorry for letting anyone down – this decision has not been taken lightly.”
The band added that they are “already working hard to rearrange the Manchester show” and expect to confirm a new date in December. Tickets will remain valid, and refunds will be available for those who can’t attend.
Fans quickly flooded the comments with messages of support. One wrote: “Damn. I came all the way from Brazil for this concert and it gets cancelled. Call me lucky.” Another said: “He did mention this at Glasgow’s gig, speedy recovery.”
Known for their high-energy performances and introspective songwriting, Somebody’s Child have become one of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary acts in recent years. The Dublin-based five-piece, led by Godfrey, blend indie rock and alt-pop influences, drawing comparisons to acts like The Killers, Sam Fender, and Inhaler.
The band first gained traction with their early EPs Make You Alright and Hope, Amongst Other Things, before releasing their acclaimed self-titled debut album in 2023. Their music often explores themes of youth, identity, and growing up in modern Ireland, layered over driving guitars and soaring choruses.
They have since sold out venues across Ireland, the UK and Europe, and shared stages with Bloc Party and Kings of Leon. Their live shows — known for both intensity and intimacy — have earned them a loyal following on the festival circuit and beyond.
Despite the setback, the band says they’re determined to continue the rest of their UK tour, with upcoming stops in London, Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool still expected to go ahead as planned.
“We can’t wait to be back in Manchester very soon and give you the show you deserve,” they said.
