Timothy Very, long-time drummer for indie rock band Manchester Orchestra, has died aged 42.
The band confirmed his sudden passing in an emotional statement shared on Instagram on Saturday, February 14.
In the post, which featured a photo of Very performing on stage as the sun set, the band expressed deep shock and heartbreak.
“The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very,” the statement begins.
They described him as “the most beloved human being we were ever fortunate to know in this life,” adding that they were still struggling to come to terms with the loss.
The tribute went on to paint a vivid picture of Very’s personality and presence, noting that he was immediately likable and treated everyone he met with kindness and warmth.
“His laugh was contagious and he immediately made people feel invited and encouraged,” the group wrote, attributing his humor and energy to a central force within what they call “the MO universe.”
They added that strangers quickly became friends around him and friends became family.
They also highlighted his dedication to music, saying he had “an undeniable light” that matched his love for the craft he was clearly destined to pursue.
“No words can ever do him justice,” the message continued. “Please know that if you are someone who loved Tim, he loved you too.”
The statement ends by emphasizing that, above all else, Very cherished his family.
“The only thing Tim loved more than creating music was being with his family. You’d be hard pressed to find a happier father,” the band wrote.
“We love you Tim, thank you for loving us. You are a force of positivity that will be a constant presence in the rest of our days.”
Very’s cause of death has not been made public.
The Manchester Orchestra, formed in 2004, welcomed Very to the group in 2010 following the departure of its previous drummer.
Over the years, his playing has become a defining element of the band’s sound.
He appeared on several major releases, including Cope and its acoustic companion Hope in 2014, A black kilometer to the surface in 2017, The millions of masks of God in 2021, and the EP 2023 The Valley of Vision.
Beyond his work on record, Very was known for his thoughtful approach to drumming.
During a February 2022 appearance on the Drummers on Drumming podcast, he described himself as a “songwriter’s drummer”, explaining his philosophy in his own words.
“I’d like to think that after doing this for about 20 years, whatever it’s been at this point, I bring something to the table that’s not just drums and grooves and all that, but it’s about understanding what a song should have, or could have in it, to hopefully enhance it or hopefully add something to it, a flavor, a feel.”
He added that his goal was always to leave a meaningful mark.
“Leaving your mark on a song and being like, ‘Man, that’s better because I played on it,’ that’s kind of what I’m always circling around and hoping to achieve: having an impact on a song that’s just right.
As tributes continue to pour in from his fans and peers, Very is remembered not only for his musicality, but also for the warmth, generosity and joy he brought to those around him, on and off the stage.
