Gurriers, Projekts MCR Skatepark. 29th August 2025

I’ve been to gigs at Projekts MCR Skatepark on numerous occasions, it’s a nice quirky venue and I’m sure a great place to skate. It works well as a daytime venue for events like Manchester Psych Fest, for which tonight is serving as a warm up, but as a night time venue on a mild day, it’s not ideal. Daylight is still clinging on as Picture Parlour take to the stage under the Mancunian Way.   I’ve not listened to this lot in a while and they sound heavier, grungier than I recall. Katherine’s vocals have some snarl and menace, pure rock n roll. The riffs seem to pack more punch too. The sound at this venue is not amazing, we’re outside surrounded by concrete curving off at unusual angles, but they’ve got some clout. Sunglasses and leather jackets, they look the part and although not really reinventing anything, they sound decent. I’ll be honest they don’t blow me away quite as much as last time I saw them, but I hear enough to make me want to dig in again. They close with ‘Norwegian Wood’ (no not that one), the song that first drew me in and judging by this set alone, it’s still one of their best songs, which sounds scathing, but it really is a bit of a belter. It’s slower, a comedown song that seems to be able to lift you at the same time. They play Deaf Institute next month, I might need to be there.

After the usual hysterics watching people trying to get a better view by scaling a half pipe in unsuitable footwear. The night sets in and a chant starts up. KEO are next, who I’ve never heard of. Curiosity usually gets the best of me and I’ll have a quick listen to new support bands pre-gig, but I’ve decided to dive in live this time. They sound a bit dirtier in places, the riffs are loungy like Dinosaur Jr. More atmospheric, they’re not bad and they’ve clearly got some fans in here, but they lose me as they swerve into indie anthem territory. They’ve got something, but I’m not sure I’m totally sold.

So, to headliners Gurriers. A band I’ve only really skirted the surface of. In the spirit of tomorrow’s Psych Fest (and a discounted ticket), I’m here to hear new stuff though and what little I’ve heard of this lot, I like. Faster, punkier, sharper. They immediately inspire the pit to take shape and surge. Clearly a band looking to insight and feed off some chaotic energy. They switch it up with sone apocalyptic disco punk and despite the sound still being a bit muddy, the atmosphere is great. You could almost be fooled thinking you were inside. It helps that it’s packed. They twist and turn but everything is delivered with pace, venom and a shit ton of bass that even enables some reasonable trouser waft. It’s a great set, even if I don’t know half the songs and it feels like the sort of gig people will talk about for however long attention spans last these days. I suspect too that although I enjoyed it half way up a concrete slope, those in the middle of this place, upside down, missing a shoe will likely have bloody loved it. Perfect set up for the weekend. Tune in tomorrow for more!

Gurriers

KEO

Picture Parlour