Graham Nash (with Peter Asher) Bridgewater Hall Manchester 16th October 2025
They say music is good for the soul, and last night at the Bridgewater Hall, this hypothesis was well and truly proved to be correct.
I have seen Graham Nash a few times now, not only solo but with various combinations of Crosby, Stills and Nash so I knew I was in for a good night at the very least. What I got was a more excellent evening of stories and songs.
The show opened with Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon fame. He spoke about how he got into the business, the circumstances of getting to record World Without Love, and how he went on to produce artists like James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. The smattering of songs sounded great and included a duet with late singing partner Gordon Waller. Then Graham came on at the end of his set to join him, and the audience, in a rendition of the aforementioned World Without Love.
After the break, Graham took to the stage. It was a seated performance; he later explained that he was still recovering from surgery on a broken kneecap, but that didn’t make it any less powerful. The songs still resonate with meaning, which isn’t actually a good thing if you think about it, but they also still have the power to move and rally an audience, and that really is a good thing. Song after song was delivered with the same passion and fire as when they were first written, and Graham’s voice rang loud and clear throughout the auditorium, enhanced but never overshadowed by the talented musicians in the band.
It was a dream of a setlist, opening with Wasted On The Way, one of my personal favourites, through to a rip-roaring version of Woodstock and Suite: Judy Blue Eyes to send us all, filled with joy, out into the chilly Manchester evening. Many of the audience headed for the nearest tramstop to get home, meaning we all passed by the Midland Hotel, where, while standing on the steps at the entrance, Nash had written the song Cold Rain, which I think he has performed just about every time I’ve seen him in Manchester (and Salford).
I took a few photos, just as a reminder that I was there – my phone is not very good for photos in low light. Most of the audience, at least around us, also only occasionally took photos, and all seemed respectful of people in their vicinity. It was nice just to get lost so completely in an evening of beautiful music that replenished my soul and wrapped me in such joy that it carried me most of the way home before anxiety reared its ugly head. The joy returned once safely indoors however, and the memory of the evening will make me smile for some time, I’m sure.
