Malina Moye

Band on the Wall, Manchester 11 Jan 2026

Story by Matthew Murray

14/01/2026

Malina Moye’s performance at Band on the Wall was a sharp reminder of why the Cleveland-born guitarist is so highly regarded. Blending soulful songwriting with fearless guitar work, she delivered a tight, confident set that showcased both her technical skill and magnetic stage presence.

Thanks to the inevitable chaos of Manchester United matchday traffic, I arrived at Band on the Wall already a little flustered and slightly late. Fortunately, Malina Moye was right on time - and very much worth the rush. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Moye has spent the last decade quietly building a formidable reputation as one of contemporary rock’s most accomplished guitarists. Now four albums deep into her career, her real breakthrough came with 2016’s Rock & Roll Baby, a mini-album brimming with well written, well produced full-sounding, sweetened with brass flourishes and rich vocal harmonies. Comparisons to Jimi Hendrix have followed her ever since - largely due to her left-handed playing, fondness for the Flying V, and an expressive, wah-wah-heavy style that borders on the psychedelic. Her 45-minute set drew heavily from that era, with standout performances of the Bootsy Collins co-write K-Yotic, the gritty A Little Rough, the uplifting Run Free, and a swaggering cover of Foxy Lady. The Hendrix tribute felt affectionate rather than imitative, delivered with enough confidence to remind everyone that Moye is very much her own artist. The show had moments of wild wah-wah guitar and moved into what sounded more like record scratching, how does she do that with a guitar? Moye’s playing throughout was precise yet playful, balancing technical flair with genuine musical warmth. Between songs, she proved equally engaging, sharing stories about her upbringing, the advice her father gave her, her involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement, and a few suitably dramatic tales from the road. Her list of collaborators - Bootsy Collins, Prince, even King Charles (through her role as an ambassador for The King’s Trust) – might sound like name-dropping in lesser hands, but here it simply underlined the respect she’s earned across the industry. The Prince references felt especially apt given her outfit: a striking full-body purple suit, silver high heels, and an upside-down pale blue Fender Strat slung low. Flamboyant, fearless, and impeccably styled, it was easy to see why she’s previously been voted “Best Dressed” at the Grammys. Band on the Wall’s intimate setting suited her perfectly. Every riff cut through clearly, every lyric landed with impact, and the audience interaction felt natural rather than forced. Despite the football-induced delays, Malina Moye delivered a tight, confident and thoroughly entertaining set. Hendrix comparisons may be inevitable, but on this evidence, she’s far more interested in writing her own chapter in rock history.