Manchester Psych Fest, Various Venues. 2nd September 2023

Gareth Crook
Sep 3, 2023
9 min read

It’s a warm and sunny day in Manchester, so maybe not ideal you’d think to be spending it inside various venues in the city. It’s Manchester Psych Fest though and the line up this year is superb!

To get everyone fired up from the get go, there’s an early opening set from The Mysterines at The Ritz. If you thought it was hot outside, wait until you’re nestled inside this packed room. It’s like a furnace, but it’s gotta be said The Mysterines are just as hot and their sound suits the heat. ‘Under Your Skin’ especially brims with power. I’ve seen them a few times and it’s easy to forget they’re still a new band, they’re that good. They’ve already raised their game though, which is quite astonishing and they set the bar dangerously high for the bands to follow.

After a trek up to Albert Hall, the staff kindly jump me to the front of the queue on account of my comedy boot protecting a broken ankle and I get in fast to catch Sorry. They’re really good, dreamy shoegaze, built with layers of seemingly effortless cool. They’re very accessible with riffs that suck you in, I’m instantly hooked. There’s a lot going on, with loops, effects and a bit of genre hopping. They’re playing again later at Deaf Institute and I’m sorely tempted.

After a quick bite to each it’s off to the wonderful Canvas, not least because its air conditioning is bloody amazing. I’m here for Pray for Mojo (which keeps making me think of Homer Simpson’s helper monkey). This lot are a heavier proposition, driven by a lively lad on drums playing like it’s his last day on earth. Stripped to the waist with their name scrawled across his chest, he’s rock fucking solid. It’s fast and heavy, but it’s when they hit a groove that they really come alive. They’ve got a lot of ideas clearly and although some of them don’t really work, it makes for an interesting set that keeps you on your toes and I have to remind myself I really shouldn’t be tapping mine. “Can you hear us alright yeah?” they ask, loud and clear, they’re bloody deafening.

Fitting then that it’s off to The Deaf Institute next. Now this is a venue I love, but I’m surprised to find myself in the groundfloor room rather than upstairs for Shredd. What a great little space though and a slightly terrifying one to be trapped in with a band like this. A meaty rhythm section propping up some pulverising punk. They’ve got that desert soaked QOTSA vibe. The sort of thing you want blaring out the windows as you pray your sun beaten muscle car can make it to the horizon. They deliver a half hour devastatingly brilliant assault on the senses that leaves me a little shellshocked and grinning like an idiot. Absolutely wonderful.

Back to Canvas, but this time in the smaller Room 2 to catch a bit of Oslo Twins. This room might even be better than Room 1, either way this is a venue that I wish more bands would play, or bands I like at least. There’s 5 of them on stage, so take the name with a pinch of salt and they look ridiculously young, but don’t hold these things against them. They’re certainly the poppiest sound I’ve encountered so far today, but there’s a dark bass unpinning these songs that keeps them anchored. The singer has a glorious soaring voice too that lifts and chimes perfectly with the full on 80s synth melodies. The sound guy needs to take hold though, as wayward squeals of feedback set teeth on edge. Aside this their sound is clean, sharp and definitely makes me want to explore more.

It’s here I’m faced with an almighty clash! Los Bitchos, Benefits, Panic Shack, She’s In Parties and Ulrika Spacek, all of which are worthy of your ears, especially Panic Shack, but I’m seeing them in a couple of months, so I opt for the just can’t miss Bodega. They’re back in the still uncomfortably warm Ritz. Although my hobbling once again lets me skip the queue. If I wasn’t so honest, I could wear this thing to all gigs in future!What can I say about Bodega then? Well they play textured art pop, with guitars folding epic soundscapes into spiky rhythmic juggernauts. Oh and the drummer stands up and that’s always cool. Of all the bands I’m planning to see today, this is one of the ones I know best, so it’s wonderful to hear them play some new stuff too and for it to sound just as amazing as this stuff from the first two records. As is so often the case it’s live where bands like this excel. Take all that tight control of the recorded songs and give them extra room on a stage and bloody hell they’re incredible. They make my hair stand on end (more than usual) and send a chill down my spine (remember it’s hot as hell in here, O2 are too cheap to stump for air conditioning). Songs like ‘Doers’, ‘No Blade of Grass’, ‘Territorial Call of the Female’ and the brilliant ‘Jack in Titanic’ showcase them as a band that really should be on the edge of selling out venues like this by themselves.

I get momentarily excited about it being cooler downstairs in the Ritz Basement for Cruush, but it quickly warms up. The drummer has the right idea, I’m tempted to take my shirt off too. They’re new to me, maybe to most in the room but they’ve drawn a crowd to their shoegaze on steroids sound and we’re rewarded with violin bows drawn across bass guitars (played by a lad that I’m sure used to be and might still be in Document) and luscious vocals sewn into quiet/loud scorchers.

Next, a spanner has been thrown in to upset my planning with the late announcement of Loose Articles at The Ritz. So I decide to split the difference and endure a bit more heat with the bounciest band of the day, before heading up the road. Except there’s no heat, because the place has emptied! Maybe word hasn’t got out, but it’s a bloody shame as this lot are amazing and would normally have these walls begging for mercy. They’re an uncompromising bunch which is why I love them. I’m sure they’d prefer a full room too but it doesn’t weaken them, far from it. “Who wants to start a disco?” they shout and the roar back is impressive. It’s not long before the spring loaded dance floor is doing its thing for ‘Up the Disco’ and it goes ballistic for ‘Buses’ which might well be my favourite song of the day so far. There’s new stuff that sounds very promising for things to come and classics like ‘Sinead Loves Bitcoin’ a cautionary tale if there ever was one. I’m loathed to leave, but skip the end to get myself to The Deaf Institute for Crocodiles. Which proves to be a mistake, as it’s at capacity and the bouncers aren’t letting anyone else in. I’m glad I only missed 10 minutes of Loose Articles!

Fear not though for we’re not from from The Met Union where TVAM are in full flow. This band were a discovery at a previous Psych Fest and I was blown away. I rarely come in here too, so it’s nice to squeeze this in. A lot of bands I see today are guitar driven and there are guitars on stage here too, but they’re bolstered by monolithic slabs of electro goodness. It’s just what my ears have been craving for. Motoronic beats with fuzzy guitars building walls of sonic ecstasy. You think I’m overselling it don’t you, I’m not, it’s fucking glorious.

I dare not get shut out of the next band though. So get back to Canvas as quick as I can. I suspect The Murder Capital and Brian Jonestown Massacre will be big draws, but I’ve seen both recently and even still, it’s an easy choice to go for Bdrmm. It does get very busy and my heart goes out to the bar staff that are struggling with beer taps running dry. Furnished with a can, it’s time to get lost. Brdrmm are like a souped up Sigur Ros with words you can understand. There’s no strings, but it’s just as cinematic with vast washes of layered guitar that swell beautifullly. The newer stuff is more complex, but no less majestic and wonderfully sprawling. It sounds like they’ve had a bit of a rough time of late, the music industry once again not covering itself in glory, so it’s nice to see the room brimming with smiling faces and nodding heads. It’s seriously immersive stuff. They’re the first band to make me close my eyes all day. This is the high water mark, a sign that you’ve hooked me, I’m in, please don’t ever let me go.

As they finish, Dream Machine are playing in Room 2 next door. That name sounds a bit retro and so do they. Not a bad thing, but the mix in here isn’t doing them any favours. Granted I’ve been to a lot of gigs and so far 10 hours of live music today, so maybe my ears aren’t to be trusted, but aside some nice bass lines, the rest is a bit muddy. The singer sounds like he’s got a decent voice, but I can’t make out a word and if I’m not mistaken there’s a backing track fighting with them too (I am mistaken, the lad with a keyboard is sat down behind the speaker stack). This lot weren’t on my list though and they’ve peaked my interest to have a proper listen in the morning.

Next a quick detour to Yes’ Pink Room to see a bit of Royel Otis (yes that’s not a typo). There’s a delay, in which the lovable Aussie keyboard player keeps us entertained before the band come in and hit us with some (left only) foot stomping rock n roll. They look like nice boys but fucking hell they pack a punch and the singer has a cracking voice. The songs are short, sharp and summery, which feels rather suitable for this barmy evening.

It’s still warm as I head out to catch King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard (still the best band name ever) at The Academy. This isn’t strictly part of the festival so there’s an extra fee, but they’re worth it and the organisers have curated the sets to accommodate this which is pretty cool. So it’s from one Aussie band to another. It may be midnight but the place is full and singing along to Belinda Carlisle as the band take the stage. They’re definitely the proggiest band today and maybe any day. This is the sort of stuff that I imagine the new students moving into the city will put on at all night parties instead of Ozric Tentacles. Nothing really starts or stops, as much as rolls on throughout. It’s brilliantly bonkers. With solos twisting and turning, through a maze of psych rock before choruses and verses slip into place. There’s some die hard fans in here that are word perfect. That’s not me, but I can certainly see why they garner such devotion. I don’t think I’ve seen them live since Glastonbury about six years ago. I’d forgotten how much fun they are and they come at the perfect time, as I’ll admit I was starting to flag a bit. It’s not all great, there’s some stuff mid-set that leaves me cold, but I guess with some 30-odd albums in their arsenal (ridiculous), there’s bound to be some filler. They could probably play all night, but I’m not done venue jumping yet, so after 90 minutes of trippy psych rock, it’s time to grab an Uber back to Canvas (even my good foot is starting to hurt now).

We’ve swapped Lizards for Sheep, with Stealing Sheep to be precise. Canvas felt heaven sent earlier, but it’s a bit chilly now. That said this might keep me awake. Although the spectacle this band create will probably suffice. As I walk in they’re banging out ferocious disco beats whilst dressed in DIY matching glittery costumes. Marvellous. What’s even better is there’s a chair I can sit in and still see the stage. Perfect. It’s not all gimmicky costumes, lovely as they are. There’s plenty of warm synths and bass buzz too. We’re at the hour where the crowds thin out and in previous years it’s felt a bit shambolic, but not this year. It maybe 2am but the ship is still tight and Stealing Sheep pull a decent crowd of die hards refusing to go quietly into the night.

There’s time for me to squeeze a 15th final band in as Tokky Horror bring some devastating drum and bass fused hardcore punk to The Deaf Institute’s main room. They are fucking terrifying, one singer covered in (fake?) blood is in the (still healthy at this hour) crowd slam dancing. Whilst her counterpart holds court on stage before kicking off herself. The closest I can think of to compare them to is Atari Teenage Riot, but that will only get you half way. You need to see this band live. It’s a short set, but absolutely brutal and a brilliant way to cap a phenomenal day. I’m done in, but with my ears ringing at 3am I’m content. Manchester Psych Fest you do this city proud.