Timothy Very, drummer for the indie rock band Manchester Orchestra, has died at the age of 42.
The band confirmed his sudden passing in an emotional statement shared on Instagram on Saturday, February 14.
In the post, which included a photo of Very performing on stage at sunset, the band expressed deep shock and pain.
“The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very,” the statement began.
They described him as “the dearest human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life,” adding that they were still struggling to process the loss.
The tribute continued to paint a vivid picture of Very’s personality and presence, noting that he was instantly likable and treated everyone he met with kindness and warmth.
“His laugh was infectious and immediately made people feel invited and encouraged,” the band wrote, crediting his humor and energy as a central force within what they called the “MO universe.”
They added that strangers quickly became friends around them 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 clearly was meant to pursue.
“No words can do it justice,” the message continued. “Please know that if you are someone who loved Tim, he loved you too.”
The statement closed by highlighting that, above all, Very appreciated 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 dad,” 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.
Manchester Orchestra, formed in 2004, welcomed Very to the group in 2010 following the departure of their previous drummer.
As the years passed, his playing became a defining part of the band’s sound.
It appeared on several major releases, including Face and his acoustic companion Hope in 2014, A black mile to the surface in 2017, God’s Million Masks in 2021, and the EP of 2023 The valley of vision.
Beyond his recording work, Very was known for his thoughtful approach to drums.
During a February 2022 appearance on the Drummers on Drumming podcast, he described himself as a “songwriter’s drummer” and explained his philosophy in his own words.
“I’d like to think that after doing this for about 20 years, whatever it has been up to this point, I’m bringing something to the table that’s not just drums and beats and all that, but it’s understanding what a song should have, or could have, to hopefully improve it or add something to it, a flavor, a feel.”
He added that his goal was always to leave a significant mark.
“Leaving your mark on a song and feeling like, ‘Man, that’s better because I played it,’ that’s something I’m always hanging around and hoping to achieve: having an impact on a song that’s exactly the right thing.”
As tributes continue to pour in from fans and peers, Very is remembered not only for his musicianship, but also for the warmth, generosity and joy he brought to those around him, both on and off stage.
