The Height sell-out gig draws the crowds and raises funds for Francis House

Teenage band, The Height perform to capacity crowd at Salford Lads' Club

Three members of a band performing on a stage in front of a crowd — Salford indie band The Height

Salford success

The Salford Lads’ Club, a historic landmark immortalised by The Smiths in their album artwork, has long been a breeding ground for budding artists. It has played host to some of the most influential bands and musicians in the world. Teenage indie band The Height’s decision to perform there was a bold one, and the gamble payed off as tickets sold out within days of going on sale.

Hailing from Salford, band members John Dalton (vocals/lead guitar), Brandon Greenalgh (bass) and Ted Ellis (drums) couldn’t have picked a better venue to launch their new EP ‘One to Another’ with proceeds from the sale of CDs at the gig going to much-loved Manchester children’s hospice Francis House.

The crowd, a diverse cross-section of all ages, were on their feet and dancing as the bands performed a mix of their own originals, and catchy singles which everyone could get behind, singing along throughout the night. The night ended to chants of “one more song” as John and the band wearing Francis House t-shirts performed their encore.

“Playing this gig was an honour and a privilege. We hope we did the club proud whilst raising money for our chosen charity, Francis House Children’s Hospice.”
John Denton, lead singer The Height

Black and white photo of teenage band members performing on a stage — Rising stars The Height band

The Salford Lads’ Club gig was not just a musical event; it was a celebration of youth culture. The Height were joined by fellow teenage bands, Gromit and F3int, both from Greater Manchester.

The band kicked off their set with their hit single, “One to Another,” a song that had become an anthem for Salford City FC. It was also used to launch their new kit this season. It has been featured on playlists worldwide and has gained interest from record labels, management companies and Indie music fans.

Ted Ellis, drummer said: “We chose this set-list to show off all of our new material and get the crowd going with some Manchester and Salford anthems.”

Francis House

Based in Didsbury, Francis House provides care to children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and support to their families.

The hospice provides an age-appropriate environment to teenagers in a wing known as Francis Lodge. There the young people can receive care, spend time with friends and enjoy social activities in the cinema room and TV lounge.

“John had previously contacted Francis House and asked if we’d be interested in fundraising at his gig. This was a heartwarming gesture and helped raise funds to support our charity. It was a fantastic night and we are so grateful that The Height chose to support our hospice and we are excited to see where their careers go.”
James Ferguson, fundraising assistant of Francis House

The real deal

The band has seen a rise in popularity due to their links to The Smiths guitarist, Johnny Marr, who has supported lead singer John Denton this year through grant funding by the Salford Foundation Trust Johnny Marr Award. Most recently, Johnny described John as ‘the real deal’ in a Radio 2 interview.

What sets The Height apart from other teenage bands is their ability to convey a wide range of emotions through their music. Songs like “I Know There’s More” and “Nowhere” delved into the complexities of growing up, touching on themes of walking home from school, teenage dreams, and the search for identity.

With a bright future ahead, The Height’s sold-out show at Salford Lads’ Club is just the first chapter in what promises to be an extraordinary musical odyssey.

The event raised £100 for Francis House which is expected to rise to £400 with the sale of all the CDs. The limited edition EP ‘One to Another’ is available for £5 plus postage from Vinyl Revival Manchester