Soft Play / Panic Shack, Manchester Academy. 23rd October 2024

Every time I see Panic Shack I’m blown away. Tonight warming up for Soft Play they’re on fire. Singing about big tits and small pockets, they quickly win over the Academy crowd. Wrapping it up in shouty visceral punk certainly helps. They dispatch ‘The Ick’ pretty early and the lad near me that looks like Jay minus Silent Bob loses his shit. The line “You do NOT shush me in the cinema!” gets massive whoops of appreciation. I talked last night about the gig being a bit disconnected, not tonight. This lot are totally relatable, whether talking about meal deals, stolen lighters or throwing shapes to ‘Jiu Jits You’. Most support bands get some polite applause at the end of their set, but the Academy roars for Panic Shack.

I think this might be where I last saw Soft Play. I’m not sure they were Soft Play then, but that doesn’t matter. Old or new their delivery and songs are the same, that’s not to say they’ve not grown though. They’re out in support of the latest record Heavy Jelly and lyrically it’s as sharp as ever. The crowd has certainly grown too, not only are there more people (it’s sold out), they’re more rabid too. This duo aren’t exactly known for ballads, but it’s bedlam from the off. Pints fly. Heads bang. Both Issac and Laurie strip to the waist. Issac is largely tethered to the drums, but Laurie is in the crowd with his guitar, getting a better view of the crowd surfers. That said they take a few songs for them to click with me, but ‘Issac is Typing…’ does it. There’s a bit more space, a bit more bounce, it’s fun. On record there’s a bit more depth, but live it’s a visceral bludgeoning. For every song that doesn’t quite land, there’s something like ‘Act Violently’ that’s absolutely brilliant. The pit erupts, sings and surges. Opening a ton of space near me, which is a lovely momentary comfort. Speaking of space, Issac asks for some as he and Laurie get in the crowd. Issac rolls out his origin story introing ‘Fuck the Hi-Hat’. It’s good stupid fun. Even the photographer is crowd surfing during ‘Sockets’, I’m not sure I’ve seen that before. ‘Punk’s Dead’ should come with a warning. It’s utter carnage in here as they tear through it, every single word spat back by every single voice, young, old, front to back. If I’m honest though, these high points only emphasise the slightly lower ones. They’re not bad songs, it’s just the good ones are magnificent. Even ‘Girl Fight’ that’s over in seconds. I’ve mercifully grabbed some water and moved out of the pit by this point, so avoid getting the shit kicked out of me as Issac has instructed. They close no encore bullshit with ‘The Hunter’. It’s madness, the place goes barmy and I watch one guy nurse a fresh pint from the bar and lose it seconds later. It’s the last song anyway. A great way to finish a good set, but not the best I’ve seen them. That doesn’t matter though, the crowd clearly loved it. This won’t be a popular opinion, but I enjoyed Panic Shack more.