Nicotine Dolls

New York’s Nicotine Dolls bring their indie-rock pulse to Gorilla in Manchester on 30 September 2026. Led by singer Sam Cieri, the band balances alternative rock, pop and a touch of soul, with songs built around a front-and-center vocal and a melodic sense that stays close to a live, group-driven sound. First honed on the NYC circuit, the project also grew through raw videos and street takes, a hands-on approach that feeds into a stage presence focused on immediacy rather than production tricks.

On stage the emphasis is on collective dynamics. Guitars and drums hold a steady tension, choruses unfold cleanly, and Cieri’s voice moves from understated to full release without losing intimacy. The set shifts between slow-burn ballads and more punchy pop-rock, with subtle rhythm and blues inflections sliding into the grooves. It’s contemporary American guitar music with a songwriter’s core, delivered with a direct energy that suits a room like Gorilla and keeps the spotlight firmly on the songs.