Timothy Very, the longtime 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 included a photo of many performing on stage at sunset, the band expressed deep shock and sadness.
“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 most beloved 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 went on 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 contagious and he immediately made people feel invited and encouraged,” the band wrote, crediting his humor and energy as a central force in what they called 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 meant 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 concluded by emphasizing that, above all else, Very loved 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 for the rest of our days.”
Very’s cause of death has not been released.
Formed in 2004, Manchester Orchestra welcomed Very into the fold in 2010 following the departure of their previous drummer.
Over the years, his playing became a crucial part of the band’s sound.
He contributed to several major publications, i.a Clear and its acoustic companion Hope in 2014, A black mile to the surface in 2017, God’s Million Masks in 2021 and the EP from 2023 Valley of the Vision.
In addition to 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-drummer”, and explained his philosophy in his own words.
“I’d like to think that after doing this for 20 years or so, whatever it’s been at this point, that I bring something to the table that’s not just drums and grooves and all that, but it’s understanding what a song needs to have or could have in it to hopefully enhance it or hopefully add something, a flavor, a feeling to it.”
He added that his goal was always to leave a meaningful mark.
“To put your stamp on a song and feel, ‘Man, it’s better because I played on it,’ that’s kind of what I’m always circling around and hoping to achieve: to have an influence on a song that’s just right.”
As tributes continue to pour in from fans and peers, Very is remembered not only for his musicianship, but for the warmth, generosity and joy he brought to those around him, both on and off stage.
