Liana Flores at Manchester’s Deaf Institute: A Night of Soulful Reverie
On the 22nd of October, Manchester’s Deaf Institute became a sanctuary of soul-stirring melodies as Liana Flores brought her Tour of the Soul to the city. The show, in support of her debut album Flower of the Soul, was more than just a musical performance-it felt like a journey into Flores’ innermost emotions, a heartfelt communion between artist and audience.
The building was filled with anticipation as Tour of the Soul hit the first chapter of its UK journey. Opening the night was Raquel Martins, a talent who, while playing the role of support, certainly commanded attention in her own right. Her unique blend of latin-infused soul effortlessly warmed the crowd. Her delicate guitar work and rich vocals created a dreamy atmosphere, setting the perfect mood for what to come. Tracks like Fragile Eyes and Empty Flower showcased her ability to weave intricate melodies with introspective lyrics, leaving the audience swaying to her mellow beats.
Martins’ performance felt intimate, as if she were confiding in us through her music. The way she interacted with the crowd between songs, sharing stories of feeling out of place in London and Portugal, endeared her to everyone present. Her set was a reminder that support acts, when well-chosen, don’t just fill space-they help build the emotional landscape for the main act. This won’t be the last we see of Martins tonight either.
When Liana Flores took the stage, the energy in the room shifted from tranquil to deeply immersive. The Deaf Institute, with its ornate, slightly vintage feel, was the ideal venue for Flores’ warm, ethereal sound. Every corner of the room seemed to catch the echoes of her voice, which floated effortlessly over the soft instrumentation proved by her band. Within this band was a familiar face with Raquel Martins returning to the stage to accompany Liana with vocals, bass and guitar.
Opening with Orange-coloured day a track that perfectly encapsulates her delicate yet powerful approach to songwriting. The songs gentle guitar strums and whispered lyrics drew the audience in, her voice like a gentle breeze carrying us into her world. Her music often feels like an emotional safe space, and live, this sense was only heightened.
The setlist was a mix of new material from Flower of the Soul and her older songs that fans had clearly come to love. Highlights included Hello Again where her airy vocals met with layers of ambient sound and Rises the Moon her most popular song, beautifully rendered with her soft vocals and accompanied by cello that added a yearning to an already exquisite song.
What stood out greatly about Flores’ performance was her connection with the crowd. Between songs, she spoke softly, almost shyly, about her music, and her inspirations. You could sense that every word and note reflected her person. Yet, there was a universality to her music-a feeling that these stories, while uniquely hers, were also ours.
With the sharing of inspiration, she with great passion, showed us with two covers being Light Flight by Pentangle and Wave by Antionio Carlos Jobim. She captures both songs beautifully showing great care for the songs she derives inspiration from while still making them her own.
By the time the final note of her set faded, it was clear the Liana Flores had created something special in that room. Her ability to craft songs that feel both deeply personal and widely relatable is what makes her stand out as an artist. Her honesty, her vulnerability and purity of her sound left a lasting impression.
Raquel Martins had set the stage with her lush, soul-inflected sounds, and Liana Flores built upon that foundation, leading us all on a journey through her soul. The Deaf Institute, small enough to feel personal but grand enough to do justice to the richness of the music, was the perfect backdrop for this night of intimate, beautiful introspection.
For those who attended, it was more than just a concert-it was a collective experience, a moment of reflection in a comforting cocoon of sound. And for Flores, it’s clear that Flower of the Soul is not just the title of her debut album but the essence of her artistry.