You’re Invited: The Dare Live in Manchester
On Wednesday night, Harrison Patrick Smith, better known as The Dare, brought an electrifying performance to New Century Hall in Manchester, delivering a set that blended nostalgia with a raw energy.
The anticipation before the show was visible, with the audience fully embracing the Y2K aesthetic or dressing in The Dare cosplay making it was clear that everyone was ready for a night of high energy. The room packed out minutes before The Dare took stage, decked out in suit, tie and sunglasses and an audience ready to lose themselves in the chaos of The Dare.
As soon as The Dare took stage, a surge of adrenaline kicked in, with the first track from his debut album “What’s wrong with New York?”, “Open Up” immediately confirming the tone for the night as the crowd erupted into movement. “Good Time” and “sex” followed, keeping the fans buzzing, singing along at full volume to his provocative but captivating lyrics. The atmosphere charged as “Perfume” and “I destroyed Disco” played, with people letting loose throwing bra’s on stage and dancing without restraint.
A standout moment for the crowd was the performance of “Bloodwork”, where fans zoned into the music as it seamlessly blended into Charli XCX’s hit “Guess”, which the Dare produced. The bass reverberated through the venue, making it impossible to stand still. The lighting design for the night was a spectacle in itself, complementing the mood of each song, making the night feel like early hours of the morning.
The set list was perfectly curated to briefly slow the pace with “Elevation” and “You Can Never Go Home” allowing the audience to catch their breath. During these songs, Harrison showed that he oversaw the room, captivating everyone to a still. The moment of calm only amplified the energy when “Movement” and “All Night” reignited the party atmosphere.
Closing the night with his breakout hit “Girls”, The Dare made sure that everyone left on a high. The crowd screamed every lyric, recorded the moment and revelled in the euphoric final. The show was an accurate representation of his recorded work but felt even more alive with the beats pulsating through the venue. The lights dimmed and the final beat left a ringing in ears. The crowd spilled into Manchester, their energy still apparent, proof that The Dare had, once again, destroyed disco.
