Manchester Orchestra announced the death of their longtime drummer Timothy Very on February 14, 2026. The band described him as a beloved brother and a force of positivity in an emotional social media post. No cause of death has been reported.
Manchester Orchestra, formed by frontman Andy Hull in the Atlanta suburbs in 2004, shared the news of Timothy Very's passing on social media platforms including X and Instagram. The announcement came on February 14, 2026, with the band stating, “The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very. The most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life. We’ve all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief.”
Very, born on November 22, 1983, in Pensacola, Florida, joined the band in 2011, replacing drummer Jeremiah Edmond. He contributed to their third full-length album, Simple Math, recorded in 2010 and released that year via Favorite Gentlemen, which debuted in the top 10 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts. Very toured with the group starting in 2011, with his first live performance occurring in Camden, London, during the U.K. leg supporting Simple Math. In a 2011 interview, he recalled, “I threw up during it. It’s been awesome... this is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
He appeared on subsequent releases, including Cope and its acoustic companion Hope (2014), A Black Mile to the Surface (2017), The Million Masks of God (2021), and the EP The Valley of Vision (2023). His drumming style, known for versatility and complex rhythmic textures, enhanced the band's emotionally mature sound. Very described himself in a 2022 podcast as a “songwriter’s drummer,” aiming to “leave your mark on a song.” Influenced by Dave Grohl of Nirvana, he began playing drums as a teenager after his father, also a drummer, set up a kit for him.
The band praised Very's personality in follow-up posts: “Tim was instantly likable and interacted with everyone he met with kindness and warmth. His laugh was infectious... Strangers quickly became friends and friends became family. He had an undeniable light that was only matched by his dedication and love for the craft.” They noted his love for family, calling him “a more joyful dad” and concluding, “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 last live show with the band was a homecoming gig at Atlanta’s The Eastern in November 2025. Prior to Manchester Orchestra, he played with the San Diego band Waking Ashland and was longtime friends with bassist Andy Prince.
In a July 2025 Patreon clip, Very reflected on pursuing dreams: “If you actually believe in yourself... You can make it happen. It just won’t happen the way you thought it would.” The band has a live project, Union Chapel (London, England), recorded in 2023 and set for release on March 20, 2026, via Loma Vista.
