The Dresden Dolls | Sam Buttery
Albert Hall, Manchester
September 10th 2026
It’s been twenty years since Boston punk-cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls last played Manchester, so tonight’s return came with high expectations. On the first of only two UK dates, they proved exactly why their reputation has endured, bringing a wild mix of drama, noise and dark humour to the stage. Charismatic frontwoman Amanda Palmer commanded the piano while the formidable Brian Viglione unleashed the drums, giving the songs their pounding heartbeat.
West Midlands born singer, actor and comedian Sam Buttery opened the evening with a support set that quickly warmed the room, winning the crowd over with powerhouse vocals and brilliantly cheeky chat about their huge boobs. Half an hour later, she returned to the stage to introduce The Dresden Dolls, giving them a rousing welcome to thunderous applause
The Dresden Dolls took to the stage in full vaudevillian splendour, faces painted white, dressed in black and surrounded by dramatic lighting, flower-strewn instruments and a striking backdrop created in collaboration with Nicki McQueen Art. The evening crackled with electricity; the spark was still unmistakably there, carried by the wonderful onstage chemistry between Palmer and Viglione.
Their punk-cabaret had lost none of its bite: raw, charged and gloriously unruly, the two-hour set lurched between jagged chaos and startling intimacy. Palmer ruled the stage with fearless conviction, unleashing waves of visceral punk force before knowing exactly when to pull everything back.
Palmer’s between-song talk was as much a part of the night as the music, pulling the crowd closer as she spoke candidly to the audience. At one point, she spoke openly about being put on trial by the press and the bullshit, also noting that no one had asked to interview her, or review her shows and urged the audience to write their own reviews of the shows instead and post them onto social media and share the love around.
Of course, the room had clearly been waiting for the dark and quirky song Coin-Operated Boy, and when it came, it hit with exactly the right mix of sweetness, menace and mischief, with Viglione sending the whole thing spiralling into carefully controlled chaos; it was utterly outstanding. He was impossible to look away from, his facial expressions and gestures shifting every second. A master of his craft, he brought precision, character and energy to every moment.
Palmers customary balcony appearance during a gritty rendition of Jacques Brel’s Port of Amsterdam was a clear highlight, when she delighted the upstairs crowd, singing the bawdy ballad among them, and hanging over the balcony with one leg teetering over the ledge. Meanwhile, left alone on stage, brightly lit and caught in the spotlight, Viglione switched from drums to guitar, showing yet another side to his musicianship.
Sam joined the duo on stage for Delilah, a song about women in abusive relationships, and later for the vaudevillian number Sing. In light of the recent press, Sing felt particularly fitting, with its message about finding your voice when you’re scared, hurt, or being told to stay quiet.
The encore came in the form of the manic cabaret-esque Girl Anachronism, giving the night one last furious kick.
At the end of the two-hour solid set, no one seemed ready to let the night go. After waiting twenty years to witness The Dresden Dolls live, they didn’t disappoint, more than living up to their raucous reputation with a show that felt wild, urgent and completely alive. Hopefully, it won’t be another two decades before they return. It has to be said, this was my gig of the year so far, a night that reminded me exactly why live music matters.
Please note: Use of these images in any form without permission is illegal. If you wish to contact the photographer, please email mudkissphotos@gmail.com. © Melanie Smith / Mudkiss Photos. All rights reserved
Setlist: Sex Changes | Backstabber | Dirty Business | My Alcoholic Friends | First Orgasm | Coin-Operated Boy | Mrs. O | Modern Moonlight | Pirate Jenny (Kurt Weil cover) | Me and The Minibar | Delilah | Houdini | Mandy Goes to Med School | Amsterdam (Jacques Brel cover) | Sing
Encore: Girl Anachronism
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Sam Buttery can be found on Instagram
The Dresden Dolls are celebrating their new album Yes, Virginia (Tailor’s Version), which is a full re-recording of their 2006 album Yes, Virginia – out now.
Dresden Dolls can be found at their website | Facebook | Instagram | X
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All photos and words by Melanie Smith – Louder Than War | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Portfolio
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