Ghost Woman, Yes Basement. 6th March 2023

I remember not all that long ago, hearing people saying that there were no decent new bands and that new music was dying… or something ridiculous to that effect. People are ridiculous aren’t they. The truth really couldn’t be further away. There’s so many great bands around, that it completely slipped past me that one of my favourites, Ghost Woman, had snuck out a new LP last month! Not to worry though as a I’ve blitzed it over and over this afternoon, wallowing in the tripped out, dust soaked guitars that build gloriously on the sounds of its self titled predecessor. Sure it’s an old sound. That’s the point. A hazy reverb of 60s jangle and woozy vocals that pitch you somewhere off an empty highway on a warm evening as the sun says goodbye. I’m going to cheat and forego song titles tonight, truth be told this band take you off to a place where such things don’t really matter. Yes’ Basement is busy but comfortable. There’s certainly more people than their last visit to the city for Manchester Psych Fest, when they were put on far too late and cut short in The Deaf Institute. Tonight they’re delivering the more that we were left pining for that night. There’s a tone in the room. Helped perhaps by the ominous amp stacks on the stage and vintage kit that Evan spends time fiddling with before the lights go down and the smoke machine wakes up. A fair bit of anticipation builds too as we’re made to wait for the duo to take the stage. It’s worth the wait though. They remind me of The Raveonettes in places or even BRMC, but purer, with more harmonies and dare I say it authenticity. To be fair though I don’t know a whole lot about them. Do we really need to, mystery is more fun. Evan on guitar and vocals, Ille bangs the drums. That’s all you need to know. Together, guitars slide and shred and vocals echo. It’s a heady mix. Sadly unlike last time some of the sound is on tape. It’s not ideal, but with the added restraints of the stupid choice to leave the EU, it’s harder for smaller overseas bands to play here. Think about that next time you vote. Ghost Woman is Evan’s studio baby though, so it make sense and live it still works. Brilliantly in fact, it still sounds loose and effortless. Guitars slicing every which way and Ille’s ferocious drumming having me wondering what state my ears are going to be in tomorrow. On record they do feel a bit more layered. Encased in a concrete basement it’s a bit more like being lovingly bludgeoned. It’ll never cease to amaze me how much power you can convey with just a guitar and a drum kit. If you know what you’re doing and Evan and Ille do. For all the atmosphere. Live it’s all about the riffs and those drums. It’s as great an hour as you’ll hear anywhere and if you’ve not yet listened to Ghost Woman, fix that now. Before I go, tonight’s support, Pyncher are worth some aural exposure too. Sultry roadhouse menace with brooding bass and buzz guitars tell one half of the story, but there’s some wonderfully playful stuff going on too. I only catch half a dozen songs, but I need to hear more. No decent new bands my arse.