Manchester Psych Fest, Various Venues, 4th Sept 2021

Kicking off Manchester Psych Fest with a confession that I’m planning to run around and catch as much as possible. This means that I’m going to clip a couple of sets missing the beginning or end, whilst hoping that I don’t get stuck in too many queues.

Things don’t start well, with a wait in line of over an hour to get my wristband, meaning I miss the beginning of Loose Articles at Gorilla. It’s an incendiary start though, the room hot and heaving. There’s a well deserved buzz about this lot. They’re clearly enjoying it and after a couple of fast Yorkshire punk gems I’ve totally forgotten about that sodding queue.

That is until I head over to The Ritz for Porridge Radio. Shout out to the door staff though they shifted that queue bloody rapid. This is attending gigs in 2021. Covid passes required at every door. Personally I’m all for it. Some of these spaces are packed today and it’s reassuring to know that everyone is trying to do their bit to keep the show on the road.

Porridge Radio are worth queuing for too. A much more sedate pace than Loose Articles, but I love this lot and it’s an early contender for set of the day. Swirling shoegazy monsters with Dana Margolin’s powerfully sublime vocals driving 40 minutes of pure punk power.

The Lounge Society are next as I ping pong back into Gorilla. Even hotter now. I’m still not totally sure about this lot, but when ‘Generation Game’ begins to stomp with its refrain of “What will the US do?” the the room responds and it’s fucking brilliant.

You’ll never guess where to next… that’s right The Ritz. There are other venues I promise but all the bands I want to see early on are at these two, including PINS. They’re awesome, it’s been a few years since I last saw them play and crikey the sound is tight as they kick off with ‘Hot Sick’. I’m always a little cautious to compare bands with others, but if you think Goldfrapp at their most bombastic, but with loud guitars you’re getting close. Funky baselines, it’s all sex and aggressive swagger. As one of the more established bands on the bill I’m really quite surprised they’re not bigger than they are, but The Ritz is full and bounces along beautifully on the spring-loaded dance floor and even get into some choreographed dance moves. If I’m honest they seem like one of the least Psych bands I see today, but then this does seem to be a bit of a catch all genre.

It’s a short trip downstairs to the Ritz Basement. I’ve not been down here for a gig before. The last time I was in this room I was dancing to The Cure (not as long ago as that might sound). Today though it’s Deep Tan. It’s the most intimate set I witness by far. The monitors buzzing with that caged club sound. They are the most goth-tinged band I see too. Sparse haunting rhythms and darkly ethereal vocals. Bassist Celeste is bloody brilliant, they all are. It’s their first time in Manchester, I hope they’re back soon. I really need more than 25 minutes of this band.

At festivals there’s always a danger of clashes and this is my first as I nip upstairs at The Ritz to catch fifteen minutes of Girl Band before decamping to Yes. Despite the moniker, there are no girls in Girl Band, which to me seems a little jarring, as up to this point almost every band I’ve seen has been largely female. This lot are a bunch of noisy young men, make no mistake as instruments are attacked as much as played. It’s a brilliantly brutal assault on the ears with maybe the coolest sounding drummer I’ve heard in quite some time and I’m loathed to drag myself away.

I must though, for over at Yes, Bdrmm are taking the stage in The Pink Room. This is where things come unstuck a little. Yes just isn’t big enough to meet the demand of people wanting to see Bdrmm and the queue is horrendous. Thankfully I’m close enough to catch the first song through the door, but there must be a hundred people behind me. I’ve no idea how many made it in. It’s far too busy, borderline dangerous near the bar and it does spoil it a touch. Until I push my way through to the front where there’s more room. The sound makes up for the logistical nags and we’re treated to some new stuff that sounds huge! As much as I loved Porridge Radio, Bdrmm up the ante for set of the day.

It seems that the secret is out about Bdrmm or it could be that up next on stage is Yard Act, so I’m staying put at Yes. Despite it meaning I miss Bo Ningen back at Gorilla (play Manchester again soon please). I saw both Bdrmm and Yard Act in Yes’ Basement just last month, it’s crazy how quickly they’re growing. Bdrmm’s stunning debut is already out. Yard Act’s though still eagerly anticipated. Tonight’s set only adds fuel to the fire. Razor sharp lyrics and catchy tunes that whip the crowd into a jubilant frenzy. I love all the bands I’ve seen, but Yard Act are something more, something special. They feel vital, the perfect band for these times and surely justified in taking that step to event bigger audiences than those that threaten to bring Yes to its foundations. Staggering to think they’re doing this with a stand in drummer. Amazing.

Whoever I choose to follow Yard Act are going to struggle. That dubious honour goes to TVAM at Factory. I wasn’t a big fan of this venue when it opened, but it looks like they’ve made some improvements, not least in the sound which is spot on, with one caveat that I’ll get to. TVAM are a punt, I know the name, think I like a couple of songs, but I could be wrong…. I’m not. It’s blissful stuff, full of warm synths, processed vocals, jangly guitars and pulverising rhythms. There’s some real bangers that get everyone dancing. The vocals occasionally though do get a bit lost in the heavy mix. It’s a shame, but doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. I need to go listen to more TVAM! Seriously, surprise of the festival!

A quick pit stop back in The Ritz to catch the headliners Stereolab, although really it’s because I need to sit down and The Ritz has comfy sofas. I never really got into Stereolab. I’ve listened to some of the new stuff and it’s not bad, but sounds a bit safe and predictable compared to everyone else on the bill. They play ‘French Disko’ though and I love ‘French Disko’, it does sound stunning live! So maybe I’m being cruel or missing something, or maybe I’m just getting tired.

I need The Mysterines to wake me up… and some cider! Back in Gorilla, mercifully it’s not as packed as earlier and someone’s switched the aircon on. If anyone’s capable of staving off sleep it’s this lot. It might be a bit more straight up no nonsense rock and roll, but fucking hell they’re good and singer Lia Metcalfe has probably the best voice of the day. A proper ‘don’t fuck with me’ classic rock heart stopper. The Liverpool 4 piece are brilliant, blistering through the set full throttle but Metcalfe is undoubtably the magic. Even better than I’d expected.

I’m back to ping ponging as we reach midnight with the criminally unattended (and ungoogleable) JOHN. There’s two John’s you see (Google Johntimestwo), but you can make a lot of noise with just guitar and drums. This was supposed to be at Night People before the venue had to pull out and it’s a bit big for them at The Ritz, but they fill it with rib cage destroying fast and furious post punk aggression (I knew I would get to the end of this without using that phrase) and as we roll into Sunday I’m getting a second wind.

I’ve only one more stop though. Back to finish off in Gorilla. Firstly with Stealing Sheep. Who bring the electro balm that my ears need. They look great too. Dressed as demonic futuristic beekeepers bathed in neon. It gets pretty poppy and it’s not something I’d put on in the house, but live it’s a lot of fun, as the suits inflate and they dance around like demented marshmallows. It’s brilliantly bonkers.

Lastly it’s TV Priests who’ve been drafted in to cover for Scalping who can’t make it due to Covid. My heart goes out to all these bands running the gauntlet for out entertainment. TV Priests are a great band to close with. It’s a shame that a lot of people seem to have given up and gone home. To be fair it is nearly 2am. I’m not sure the band care, they don’t show it. It’s IDLES meets The Fall. If that sounds great, it’s because it is.

Whoever pulled this line up together today, hats off, you’ve done a stellar job. It’s going on for 3am though and after 12 hours of live music I’m goosed. What a day though. Magnificent!!