Tag Archives: Live Music 2024

THE HORRORS: YES, Manchester. 3rd December 2024.

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In 2005 I found a band that instantly won me over. I listened to them religiously. 2006 I went to uni, and this band became EVERYTHING to me. I had their posters on my wall, I had cuttings from magazines of them on my wall. They got me through my first year when I felt homesick. They became everything and more. They got me through a lot, and as luck would didn’t have it- I never saw them live. No correction- I never saw them do a full set. I saw them once support Florence And The Machine at Ally Pally a good few years ago, and I cried. But last night was IT. Last night I saw them in a tiny venue in Manchester. No other venue could hold them like YES. No other venue would be better- well actually, SOUP would have been amazing. ANYWAY. I was absolutely beside myself to FINALLY see them live.

Sure, the line up isn’t the original but who cares? The songs are what matters here. They play a solid range of old and new (nothing from Strange House sadly!) The set had all the hits from Primary Colours and Skying of course. Hearing everyone belt out the words to Mirror’s Image (this song was my LIFE at one point) and Still Life was so beautiful. The newer songs were loud, and unreal. They were like a drill to the skull and released everything you’d been keeping locked in. Whiplash opened the set, and you knew right away you were in for the best night possible. The smoke machine and stage lighting did overtime last night, it was perfect. Faris reminds me a little of Lux (The Cramps) with how he towers over the crowd and throttles the mic stand. Rhys’ face paint kept making an appearance throughout the intense smoke machine and lighting. Also, is there a better guitarist in this country than Josh?

To see the band that I’d essentially grown up with and go through my teenage years into adulthood was something really special. I still don’t know how I managed to get tickets to this one, and it may just be the best purchase I ever made! That and the £30 I spent when I got my cat! Three Decades and Mirror’s Image follow each other, and they honestly couldn’t have made a better setlist. Well, maybe, if they gave us something from the Strange House record. I’d have probably passed away to be honest. Hearing songs like Little Victories live would have blown my mind! I don’t think I’d recover.

On record, The Horrors ALWAYS sound fantastic- you cannot fault them at all; you can hear the hard work and passion that goes into what they do. I had no idea what to expect in a live setting, especially with the slight lineup change. Whatever I was expecting was exceeded a billion and one times over- I just don’t think I’m going to feel this way about a gig ever again now, am I? They’ve ruined it, in the best way possible.

The new songs that they treated us to are divine live! More Than Life, Trial By Fire and The Silence That Remains are exceptional live. The Silence That Remains is haunting as hell live- it’s one of those songs that when you hear it on record, you are left a bit speechless because you can’t get your head around what’s going on. But when you hear it live, it doesn’t something else. Every single song was heightened by how brilliant the band are live. Amelia’s vocals on The Silence That Remains really make it as haunting as it is, and it’s one of those songs that when you witness it live, it massively changes how you appreciate it on record. Going by these 3 new songs from Night Life, I reckon it may just end up being the best record of 2025 and maybe THEIR best record.

I can’t write about last night without mentioning how euphoric and healing it is to hear Sea Within A Sea live. I remember where I was when this was released. I was in the house I was living in during my 3rd year in Stoke on Trent. I had their website open counting down to the video as it was a live stream of the music video, and I made sure I was home to watch it. I sat and stared at the screen for 7/8 minutes as this song was playing and this hypnotising video was taking over my brain. I felt something shift in my head. I knew I was facing a LOT of change in 2009 (some good and some bad) and this song became my comfort blanket. I’d play it over and over, and everything would be alright. I still feel that way about it. It’s that one song I can play and just zone out to. It’s honestly one of the best songs of all time. Witnessing it live was like a dream where you feel utterly weightless and safe. Floating through space and time without a care.

Still Life needs mentioning because again, another masterpiece. I don’t think the band are given enough credit for their ability to create such heavenly music but in a heavy way. Still Life is a gentle song, and again, is another comfort song. Everything feels better and safer when you listen to this.

Faris is an exceptional frontman. He doesn’t need to talk endlessly to the crowd with pointless chat at all. He says something between songs, and only an idiot would disagree: “Free Palestine, and fuck anyone who thinks otherwise.”

The encore consists of Endless Blue and Something To Remember Me By; and what a beautiful way to wrap up the most perfect gig. I honestly have no idea how I’ve managed to sum up last night as clear as this, but when something makes an impact on you, you find the words. From messaging Faris on MySpace in 2006 to see if I could interview him for my first ever article at uni (he did!) to seeing them play YES, and seeing their career grow and grow. I couldn’t be prouder to be a fan and to have been in that room last night.

Last night was The Horrors at their very best, and if you’ve got a ticket for this tour then you are very lucky (in every sense of the word!)

AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS: Manchester Academy, 9th November 2024.

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Last night I saw again, the best band of my generation, live. I’ve been thinking about what makes Amyl and The Sniffers so great and it’s down to the live shows. It’s the energy, it’s the band, it’s the fans. From seeing them at the Deaf Institute in 2019 to last night at the Academy; I can safely say that every time I’ve seen them, it’s made you feel like it won’t be long before they become a band that play stadiums. Their sound is THAT big. Their energy is even bigger.

From the second the band step on stage to Mobb Deep’s CLASSIC Shook Ones Part II (any band that walk on stage to that are excellent!) you know that you are seconds away from greatness. Amy steps to the mic and tells the crowd to pick anyone up who falls, don’t touch anyone who doesn’t want to be touched and to get rowdy. I think we can apply those rules to daily life. The setlist consists of 22 songs, and you feel it isn’t enough. You want more and more (I’ll ALWAYS want Stole My Pushbike back on the set along with 70s Street Munchies!) but the new record live is insane. They start with Doing In Me Head which is one of the best moments of Cartoon Darkness. They absolutely rip through the new record, and it’s that energy that is so rare, is what makes the night.

One of the things you spot at an Amyl and The Sniffers show is that there are no age limits- the crowd is so diverse and I think the older people in the crowd lasted longer in the pit than the younger ones. It was so beautiful to see. Amyl and The Sniffers are beyond being a Pub Rock/Punk band; there’s something else there, and it honestly above any words I or anyone could write down. You know what was the seller for me? Having the show projected on a screen behind the band because this short-arse can’t see anything! But I saw it all. I got the tickets as a birthday present to myself, and I think, even though I dislike my birthday, celebrating it like this was alright. Mainly because it wasn’t ON my birthday, but you get my point.

There are tender moments in the set such as Knifey and every female person sang that song as if their life depended on it. I remember hearing it for the first time, and I bawled. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been moved by that song. Bailing On Me nearly had me crying, but I remembered being told that no one is worth crying over so I stopped myself. It felt good. For me, hearing Motorbike Song live was all I wanted. That was the new song I was looking forward to the most. It’s so loud, it’s fast and it’s just a dream of a song. Of course, songs like Hertz, Guided By Angels and Security are belted out by everyone- how could they not be? They all created beautiful moments, and show why Comfort To Me is one of the greatest records ever made. However, I reckon every record they ever make will be the greatest so we’re fine. This is a band to put all your faith, love, and energy into. Pretty sure I had goosebumps from the second they stepped on stage to the very end of the set. The encore was Balaclava Lover Boogie and GFY- excellent way to end the show! There are SO many moments during the show that just blow your mind. Me And The Girls live absolutely dicks over the album version. The song rips anyway, but live? My god!! U Should Not Be Doing That holds a very special place in my heart as does Chewing Gum. Oh man having Maggot and Some Mutts in the setlist is a dream too! Every song deserves its place!

I adored how everyone was having the time of their lives last night. Sure, drinks were being lobbed across the room and being dropped, but that’s because everyone was busy dancing and screaming along to the words. A personal highlight for me was someone coming up to me to tell me something but I had no idea what they were saying, so they then said “Don’t listen to me, I’ve just got me tits out!” And that pretty much sums up the night. Freedom for all. Fun for everyone. It was a blast, and I hope they come back soon because their live shows really do give you a kick up the arse.

The new record hasn’t been out long, but everyone knew every single word and shouted along with Amy. Her voice has become so much stronger over the years, and I think you really hear it on songs like Chewing Gum and Big Dreams. As for Dec- show me a better guitarist right now, because you absolutely won’t find one. He’s something else. Gus is THE coolest bassist. Bryce is just exceptional. Together they show exactly why Amyl and The Sniffers are the best band around. This band are for us underdogs, the weirdos and the ones who do not want what you’re selling.

I’d like to end this by saying a very personal highlight of the night was me turning to my best mate during Jerkin’ to try tell him something important and he stopped me because he HAD to shout “WANK WANK WANK” during the song. I’d have been disappointed if he didn’t. The joy on his face was heavenly!

If you’ve never been to an Amyl and The Sniffers show, you are missing out. It’s as simple as that. I adore everything they stand for and how they treat their fans, and also- how the fans treat them. Amy Taylor has that Patti Smith quality about her, and I hope when Amy gets to 75, she’s still shouting the words to Jerkin’ every night in a different city. We need bands like this so badly- especially at the moment. At the start of the show, Amy gave a little speech about the state of the world and how shit it is, and the words hit. The world is absolutely terrible but there is more of us that want to do good and help, and we just have to be a lot louder now.

So, in short, this was an amazing show and the atmosphere was beautiful. If I could go to an Amyl and The Sniffers show every night, I bloody well would.

PS- This is one of the lamest reviews I’ve done but I hope you take away from this that Amyl and The Sniffers are the best live band around. Thanks!

CROWS: The Deaf Institute, Manchester. 10th October 2024.

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Last night I went to my first gig of the year. I tried to work out why I’d left it so late in the year, but I don’t think I wanted to see anyone so far. Everyone I want to see is towards the end of the year, so I guess it worked out. It was also the first gig I’d been to in 7 years totally off sertraline. After 7 years, I stopped taking it in May. There were days where I forgot to take it, then I decided I didn’t want another summer of sertraline sweats! I know you’re not supposed to just stop, nor would I tell someone to do what I did, but it worked for me. I went to the Crows gig last night, and I felt. I felt more than I had in a while, and it felt like every bit of work I’d put into myself to “get better” had finally paid off. But that doesn’t mean all is okay; nothing and no one ever fully is, and that’s absolutely okay. It’s more than okay. Sometimes you need to go see your favourite band play in one of your favourite venues and listen to the songs that fixed parts of you no person or medication could ever touch.

Before I get into it- let it be known that headline bands starting at 8.30pm is delightful. More of that please! Home by 10.30pm- BLISS! I mean I’m still tired now, but it was absolutely worth it. It always is.

The band glide onto the stage and immediately annihilate the room with the opener, Reason Enough. That song live something else, truly. This band live are something else. You don’t just see them once and feel it’s enough. The setlist was divine, and of course in an ideal world they’d start at 6 and do all 3 records, but we don’t want to tire them out! The setlist is all I could want. Hearing songs like Room 156 and Healing live will ALWAYS make everything better. I thought they’d be the songs that would make me sob like a child that’s lost its favourite toy, but I held it together. If any song was going to ruin me, it would have been Vision of Me but again, I held it together. I think hearing Vision of Me live takes you to a different place where it doesn’t hurt so much to hear it, you know? If anything, it was an honour to see the new songs live and hear them the way they should be. Each of them owns the stage in their own way, and at times you don’t know where to look. For the most part I think I had my eyes closed and just took everything in. It felt like home, and it’s a hard feeling to find and keep. Music is always a constant. It’ll always be there.

High praise needs to be given to Jack Milwaukee for his exceptional sound talents. I’ve never heard a band so loud at this venue, and as soon as I got home, I was fully aware that my hearing was not that great. Would I sleep through my alarm in the morning? Nope. But the worry was there. If you don’t leave bruised or slightly broken, and in this case, unable to hear- than you’ve had a good time. The sound was so good! It was so slick, so loud and just perfect.

There are so many moments during the gig where you can’t believe you’re witnessing a band so bloody good play a room so small. These songs would sound perfect in a stadium with us all belting them out, but you also feel at home in these small venues singing your heart out with a few hundred people, to the songs that have saved you many times. And continue to save you. Just before they played Every Day of Every Year, James gave a little speech about having anxiety and it getting better; I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated something so much at a gig before. It was one of those things you needed to hear at that moment; and it made a world of difference. I think that’s part of why I love this band and why their songs mean so much. Also, I forgot just how divine Wednesday’s Child is live. Holy shit! James’ vocals on this are unreal, and live? Live it is INSANE. They all make this song sound so big live. When James shouts “Blame me for all your mistakes” it just takes you on this wild ride. It’s up there as being one of the best songs I’ve seen live. Demeanour was insane live too. Under 2 minutes of chaos- perfect!

 A couple songs into the set and he goes wandering round the crowd and at one point later in the set, he extends the fancy mic (you know the one!) to someone in the crowd for them to sing into. Tiny moments stick with you, and my god James’ voice is STRONG. Anyone who has seen them live knows how slick their set is and how strong they all sound together- but maybe it was down to Jack being an exceptional sound/tech person, but they sounded heavenly last night. Sometimes, you go to a gig, and you want to stay in that moment for the rest of time because it’s so comforting- last night’s show was exactly that. Way more than that.

There was a solid mix of old and new songs, and every song just felt like a rush to the body. Like you were being jolted back to life. I know I’ve mentioned it, but I’ll never get over the power Room 156 and Healing has live. With every listen, regardless of the setting, those two songs just seem to mean more and more to me. I think I feel the same about Every Day of Every Year; there’s reassurance in those three songs that you cannot get anywhere else. You’ve got the classics such as Slowly Separate, Garden of England and Closer Still; but when you witness The Itch live- my god! Something hits you. There is something about this song live that can correct every uneasy feeling you have. You can’t help but allow your eyes dart across the stage when this song kicks of- Steve goes wild on the guitar, Sam destroys the drums, Jith makes the bass sound like a demon and James brings it in with his vocals. This happens on every single song, but The Itch live does something else to the mind and body.

The night ends with Is It Better? I don’t think there’s a more fitting Crows song to end the gig with. It’s hopeful but cautious, and I think because it has so much power live- it makes you want the gig to start over again and you witness and feel all of this again and again. They aren’t a band that you see once and that’s it. Absolutely not. They’re a band that you keep seeing because watching them grow in every way is joy to witness and hear.

I’m doing this all again on Tuesday evening, and it cannot come round quick enough.