Sudan Archives Puts on a Unique, Thrill-Packed Set at Manchester Academy 2 [Photos]

Brittney Denise Parks, better known as Sudan Archives, brought her 2025 album The BPM to life in Manchester, delivering a set of club-soaked rhythms and relentless beats that proved the perfect soundtrack to a night out.

Opener Cleo Reed may have been unfamiliar to many, but they connected instantly with the crowd through a quirky stage persona and a stripped-back opening of just guitar and vocals. The sparse sound captivated the room, and with two mics, a laptop, and a healthy dose of punk attitude, the New York artist guided the audience through a short, increasingly energetic set.

Their fresh take on protest songs—sharp, engaging, and lyrically potent—touched on the power of strikes and the liberation of quitting shitty jobs. By the time they left the stage, they’d made a real statement, leaving the crowd eager to check out their brilliantly titled new album, Cuntry.

The anticipation for Sudan Archives was palpable, and when she finally emerged, the room erupted.

Onstage, Sudan stood as the clear focal point, framed by a minimalist setup: a central podium and a scattering of instruments. The sparse design gave her full command of the space, helping forge an immediate connection with the audience.

From the first note, the sound was relentless—bone-crushing beats, shadowy lyrical themes, and violin lines merging into an exhilarating wall of rhythm that had everyone moving. With demonic contact lenses and a fierce bodysuit, Sudan’s presence was intense, occasionally even satanic, mirroring the darker undertones of her music.

The Irish-inflected fiddle lines of “Come and Find You” blended seamlessly with her experimental beat work, club textures, and African influences. Switching effortlessly between violin, drums, keys, and electronics, she built a vast, shifting soundscape that was nothing short of thrilling.

Sudan Archives crafts a sound like no one else—layered, intricate, and hypnotic. If she isn’t already on the path to total domination, she’s certainly accelerating toward it. She beats to her own rhythm, making her one of those unique and fascinating acts that you cannot take your eyes off – and now is the time to catch her in a mid-sized venue, before she becomes absolutely huge.

Our photographer, Frank Ralph Photography, brought back this gallery from the gig.