Tim Very of Manchester Orchestra Dies at 42

The beloved drummer passed away suddenly, leaving the indie rock band devastated.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Tim Very, the drummer for the Atlanta-based indie rock band Manchester Orchestra, has died at the age of 42. The band announced the news on social media, describing Very as 'the most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life.' Very joined the band in 2011 and contributed to several of their acclaimed albums.

Why it matters

The loss of a long-time band member often creates a period of mourning and uncertainty for a musical group. While the band has not commented on how this may affect their upcoming tour dates, it is likely they will need to navigate both the emotional impact of this loss and the logistical challenges of continuing performances.

The details

Very joined Manchester Orchestra in 2011, contributing to the albums Simple Math, Cope, A Black Mile To The Surface, and The Million Masks Of God. Prior to joining the band, he performed with the San Diego rock group Waking Ashland. Beyond his work with Manchester Orchestra, Very collaborated with other artists, contributing to album tracks by Foxing, Chris Staples, and Tom Morello. He also launched an interview podcast series in 2019 and co-founded the Athens/Atlanta production company Super Canoe in 2020.

  • Tim Very passed away on February 15, 2026.
  • Very's final performance with Manchester Orchestra was at the band's 15th annual 'Stuffing' Thanksgiving hometown benefit concert, where they performed A Black Mile To The Surface in its entirety.
  • Manchester Orchestra recently announced a new live LP, Union Chapel (London, England), scheduled for release on March 20.

The players

Tim Very

The drummer for the indie rock band Manchester Orchestra, who passed away suddenly at the age of 42.

Manchester Orchestra

An indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, that Tim Very was a member of from 2011 until his death.

Waking Ashland

A San Diego rock group that Tim Very performed with prior to joining Manchester Orchestra.

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What’s next

The band has not commented on how Tim Very's passing will affect their upcoming tour dates, but it is likely they will need to navigate the emotional impact of this loss and the logistical challenges of continuing performances.

The takeaway

The music community is mourning the loss of a beloved and talented drummer whose artistry and spirit left a lasting impact on the indie rock scene. Manchester Orchestra's statement highlights the deep personal connection the band had with Tim Very, underscoring the significant void his passing will leave both professionally and emotionally.