MoonLight academy - Sebright arms.

On Friday 8th May 2026, I was lucky enough to see Moonlight Academy for the second time, who have been a favourite band of mine for a while. I came across Moonlight Academy on TikTok very randomly a couple of years back, and immediately fell in love with their song ‘Deeper’. I have been following the band on socials ever since and following their journey. Their music has been a genuine comfort for me and has got me through some real dark patches. Their music truly is a light in the darkness. I especially resonated with ‘Unbroken’ and more recently ‘Loosing the Moment’. Their music is that classic and typical gritty indie rock that we all know and love with loud drums, amazing vocals and the coolest guitar solos. They are true rockstars. I saw them for the first time about a year ago in Birmingham supporting The White Lakes and they were incredible. It was the best night of my life. I immediately wanted to see them again. When I had the opportunity to see them again last week, I immediately jumped to get tickets and I have got absolutely no regrets. They played some of their of their classic songs that their community already know and loves as well as some new tracks which sounded absolutely amazing! I really cannot wait to see what else they have up their sleeve! I’ve always been able to resonate with their music in one way or another but more recently I’ve resonated with it on a much deeper level (no pun intended) and their music has genuinely become a safe place for me to escape to when my emotions get a bit too overwhelming and the connection I feel to the lyrics makes me feel just a little bit less alone. I was lucky enough to be front row in the crowd and captured some really cool shots of them (see portfolio or instagram) and some really cool upclose videos of their performance that I have edited up (see instagram). Their onstage energy is electric and you won’t be able to stop yourself from wanting to have a little boogie to their sound - its got that classic hip wiggle, head bopping vibe to it. If you want a band with music that will make you feel seen but also make your problems feel like they don’t exist for a little while than Moonlight Academy is a band you need to get on board with. I see big things for them in the future. This is a band you definitely want to catch live - you are garunteed good music and an overall good night.

I was also lucky enough to meet Ryan, the frontman of the band, who was extremely lovely to speak to. I was able to ask about an unreleased song that the band played in Birmingham last year and I feel somewhat hopeful that eventually one day it will see light. He was also super complimentary of the custom jacket sleeve I made which was so nice to hear from someone you have a lot of time and respect for. He also gives great hugs. I would also like to say a special thank you to my lovely friend Key who managed to secure a setlist from Conor (guitarist) and let me take it home as a memory - you genuinely have no idea how much that gesture meant to me. To own a setlist from my favourite band means the absolute world.

I travelled 2 ½ hours to be at this gig and dragged myself out of bed at 5am just so I could get to my shift the next day, because how else am I supposed to fund my gig addiction?. I worked a 6 ½ hour shift on about 3 hours sleep. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. Would I do it again? Absofuckinglutely. Truly a night to remember. And to my lovely friend who I met for the first time at this gig…I cannot wait to go to more gigs and make the most amazing memories with you.