Bleach Lab, The Deaf Institute. 17th November 2025

There once was a time when it felt like I lived in The Deaf Institute. Not so much these days for some reason, but Bleach Lab have selected it to make their return to the city promoting their latest EP. Granted we’re a few months on from its summer release and the air has turned decidedly Baltic in Manchester tonight. I need warming up. This dreamy driving ethereal shoegaze will do that easily, but not before a false start for  ‘Feel Something’ on which Jenna’s mic refuses to play ball. ‘I Could Be Your Safe Place’ is full of jangly guitars that echo beautifully as the lyrics promise a wonderful air of hope. There’s a bright positivity to them, but Jenna’s haunting vocal keeps things at the right temperature on the lead track Close to the Flame’. The mic is still being unhelpful, but things finally come to life on ‘All Night’. Centre stage in a blue dress Jenna pulls focus, against the three lads in regulation black, but Josh on bass is very entertaining to watch. The bass climbs beautifully all over ‘Counting Empties’ as they start to find the flow, before hitting pay dirt on ‘Real Thing’. This is the song that first warmed me to them and it’s lost none of its magic. It’s gentle and soaring brings a smile. ‘Old Ways’ is a shade darker, it sweeps me and the rest of the room up. This isn’t an energetic gig though, the pace is calm, delicate even, especially on ‘Never Be’ with some added acoustic guitar, that sadly seems to have the same issue as the mics early on. They look happy and comfortable up there though, the technical gremlins not stopping them as they drift through ‘Saving All Your Kindness’, on which the rhythm section take a break and enjoy a beer. ‘Drown’ brings everyone back in. Frank on guitar and Kieran on drums exchanging smiles as they hit the higher gears and get heads bobbing, before perhaps the loudest cheer of the evening. Their cover of The Cardigans ‘My Favourite Game’ is pretty decent. The guitar riff taking a more Smithsy sound, it’s a nice spin. Hand claps are then encouraged on ‘Everything At Once’ as the atmosphere in the room palpably lifts. It’s a shame that it’s taken this long, but it’s a great set all the same. With songs like ‘In Your Arms’, you’re not going to get much crowd surfing. It sets a more end of the night tone, a last dance, although the last dance tonight goes to ‘If I Could Be Anything’. You can imagine the credits rolling as it teases with its quiet/loud dynamic… and at last the kind of gloves off wigout they’ve threatened all night. If that doesn’t warm you up, nothing will.