THE START OF SOMETHING: Maya Lane, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026
Maya Lane, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Paul Wolfgang Webster**)
Maya Lane, the London based country singer, hit the road for four dates on her Start Of Something tour, her first ever headline tour.
Maya Lane, Start of Something UK Tour flyer
With support for the Manchester date from Grace Kelly and Ruby Lily (I’ve reviewed their contributions separately) this was somewhat of a feast of up-and-coming UK-based country talent, and a busy Gulliver’s hosted a buzzing final night of the tour.
Gullivers, travels
Gullivers is situated in the Northern Quarter of Manchester City centre on Oldham Street, and with its compact upstairs room is a great venue hosting both established and up and coming artists. offering a great atmosphere and setting.
The Start of Something
Maya Lane and Harry Howell, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Maya Lane, first burst onto the scene a few years ago, creating quite a stir and Radio 1 airplay, with her melting pot of 70s-infused folk, modern country, and soft pop.
With classic influences ranging from Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan to modern acts such as HAIM, Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift, Maya adopts a vivid, narrative songwriting to her stripped-back tracks, overlaying the personal feelings, growing pains and romantic nuances with her lush vocal harmonies.
Her first EP was Childish Games in 2022, and after further singles across 2023 and 2024 (“Just A Girl”, “Bump Into Me”, “Heart For A Heart”, “Four Leaf Clover”), saw them scooped into 2024’s 7 track EP Diary Of An Overthinker.
More singles in 2025 (“Beyond Alaska”, “Never Be Enough”, “Bitter” and “I Don’t Know You Yet”) were also pulled into 6 track EP, The Hurt And The Healing.
In advance of soon to be released album The Start of Something, 2026 has see Maya put out three singles; “Cherry Stains & Dumb Flings”, “Sun Comes Out” and “Destiny”, all exhibiting a wider and fuller sonic soundscape as she continues to grow artistically.
Maya Lane, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
She thrives in pared down settings—her Living Room Sessions tours saw her play in fans’ homes, gardens and local cafes—the intimate venues breathing life into her lyrical storytelling.
After building her craft with support slots (Far From Saints, Jade Bird, Alyssa Bonagura, Jack Kane, Margo Price, Breland, Lindsay Ell and Brandy Clark) as well as a number of festivals, her live presence has developed exponentially and has been calling out for a headline billing.
Maya Lane, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Bringing a band, consisting of esteemed session players, Ellie East, playing drums and bass, and Harry Howell on lead guitar, to flesh out her acoustic guitar, Maya dialled up both the vibe and sound for her debut headline tour, hot on the heels of a sell-out debut headline gig at The Grace in London.
Destiny
Maya Lane, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
As the band established the groove, Maya Lane, resplendent in a 70s retro bohemian chic outfit, made her way through a packed crowd to take to the stage.
Opener number “Intro”/ “Good Company” both lifted from new album Start Of Something engaged the crowd as Maya sang “I’m On My Way Up” underpinned by the rock steady beat from Ellie East and Harry Howell.
“Cherry Stains and Dumb Flings”, also from her new album recalls prime Fleetwood Mac and some echoes of Jenny Lewis, with its soaring and sweeping vocal chorus, quickly transporting the room from a rainy Manchester evening right across to the sun-kissed freeways of Laurel Canyon.
Now in her stride, “Beyond Alaska”, a single and also from The Hurt And The Healing EP of 2025, tells a story of life on the lonely road, its killer “So I Keep On For The Hell Of It” chorus catapulting its Americana infused leanings into a radio friendly concoction.
Staying with the same EP, “Bitter”, channels Taylor Swift with its personal introspection married to another strong musical arrangement.
Another new song, “Ruin My Life”, which will be on the new album, amply demonstrated the additional depths that her song writing is now reaching.
Explaining her revenge swapping of the phrase “Eye For An Eye” with “Heart For A Heart”, the song of the same name is next up. Originally recorded in 2024, the song is both the bedrock of the set and her musical canon. It’s dark tale of revenge at odds with the sweet vocal and upbeat sonics accompanying it, but perhaps all the better for that.
It’s a seriously powerful calling card.
Ellie East, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Returning to the more familiar, a stellar cover of Abba’s “Money, Money, Money”, slowed down into a country shuffle that squeezed even more passion from the song, we were soon onto an acoustic section of the set, drummer Ellie East replacing her sticks with a bass guitar, as “Gently” from EP, The Hurt And The Healing, saw Maya “try to let it go” as the stripped down song highlighted her yearning vocal to perfection.
The exquisite “Four Leaf Clover” with its “Say A Little Prayer For Me” lyric bounced around the venue and resulted in a heartfelt clap-along from the crowd, as the song’s momentum rose.
Newer song, “Sun Comes Out”, another upbeat offering; an enduring theme of feeling “God damn brand new”, again infiltrating her writing.
Harry Howell, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Maya recounted a previous visit to Nashville, her best laid plans of finding a quiet bar, putting her headphones on and opening her journal, rudely interrupted by “a guy that liked the sound of his voice too much” as she tore into “Guys Like You”.
With some audience participation brought on through another new song, “Candy Store”—its “Give Me My Check Please” refrain rang right across the venue.
Maya Lane and Harry Howell, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
New single, “Destiny” closed the hour-long set. The song already sounds like a classic, achingly familiar but fresh—Maya triumphantly leaving the stage as the rest of the band played out the remaining bars of the song.
“If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”
I’m On My Way Up
Maya Lane, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
On an evening of exquisite Country and Americana music, the diamond and rhinestones embedded in Maya Lane’s musical tapestry sparkled ever so brightly.
Indeed as the intro to her new album proclaims, “I’m On My Way Up”, and, on the evidence provided tonight, it was difficult to argue in any way at all against this.
With a mature, deep and compelling set of songs, Maya is championing her cause, proving that a quality offering of country-tinged pop isn’t just restricted to artists over the pond in America.
Hopefully with album airplay, more headline gigs and exposure, Maya Lane is well placed to be the Queen of an increasingly strong UK Americana/ Country and pop scene.
If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be!
Maya Lane, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Seat: Standing, front, either side of stage and rear of hall
Band:
Maya Lane, Vocals, Guitar
Ellie East, Drums, Bass
Harry Howell, Guitar
Setlist:
Maya Lane setlist, Gullivers, Manchester, 18th September 2026 which replicated the London set (Image: courtesy of Maya Lane)
Start Of Something: The Album
The headline tour provided an opportunity to obtain a copy of brand new album, Start Of Something, with a vinyl version exclusively available.
Maya Lane, Start of Something, Blue Vinyl LP (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Featuring a number of songs from the Manchester setlist, it is a fabulous record and is set to be a fantastic gateway into the music of this talented new artist.
It’s already almost glued to the North of Here turntable!
The album will be more widely available on the usual outlets very soon.
** Special Thanks:
I was extremely privileged to attend the gig with legendary photographer, Paul Wolfgang Webster, who was helping me learn the intricacies of gig photography. Many thanks to Paul for his help, support and incredible insights, both on the night and subsequently.
A candid shot taken by Paul below!
Co-Manager, Kwame Kwaten escorts Maya Lane onto the stage, Gullivers Manchester, 18th September 2026 (Image: Paul Wolfgang Webster)
