I don’t think I can count how many times I’ve seen Bruise Control or written about them or told someone to listen to them but, I can tell you that their show at SOUP on Friday was a sight to behold. It was a night to remember because these angels of the north know how to put on a show.

As someone who believes in the mantra, “If I don’t leave a gig even slightly hard of hearing immediately or the day after, I probably didn’t enjoy it” I decided I had to fully commit to this notion on Friday. Was it a wise move? No. Did my teeth hurt from how loud it was? Yes. Was I stood right next to the massive speakers/amps? Yes. Yes, I was. Would I have stood anywhere else? Probably not. Side view of the stage and had ringing in my ears for a little while after (the morning after) was a dream. The show was a dream.

The band came onto the stage with Tommy (drummer) dressed as Richard O’Brien, and the rest of the band were in delightful jumpsuits, as contestants on the Crystal Maze. As the theme tune came on, I turned to my girlfriend and said “Casualty?!” Obviously, she corrected me and I was convinced both theme tunes sound VERY similar. Imagine if it was Casualty they walked onto the stage to? The costumes would have been wild. Tommy even treated us to a little ditty on his harmonica. Then it was show time. Then everybody in the crowd pushed forward and it was carnage from there. Jim had to call out some dickish behaviour in the crowd a couple of times. But that didn’t take away anything from the show they put on. I think Jim went into the crowd a few times, and the first time was a bit too much. People were a LOT. There’s no need to bash into people or touch people who don’t wish to be touched, y’know?

Every time I’ve seen them, they’ve just blown my mind (and eardrums) and Friday night just showed us all why they are one of the best bands around. I don’t think you can fully appreciate how great they are until you’ve seen them live. The way they sound together is just divine anyway, but live it is something else. Truly. The first few songs were played with NO break in between, and I have no idea where or how they get their energy. I was tired just watching them! Also, Tommy’s commitment to the Richard O’Brien costume was next level. I genuinely thought he was going to pass out from it. Obviously, Jim played in his little short shorts. I think it was a wise outfit choice at this point! But their dedication to each other, what they do, the crowd/fans and yes, Halloween outfits, just shows why they are such a joy to watch and to be a fan of. They mean so much to so many of us because they express the frustrations of daily life. Note- the frustration is with the government, taxman, and HMRC. It’s not the person coming to this country for a better life because where they are from is dangerous- it never was, and never will be. It’s those in “power” that are doing the damage and division. Pricks.

Anyway.

Bruise Control totally rip apart SOUP and blitz right through their set. They play some of their greatest hits, and also new one, Gone To Ground and a couple other from a new EP which should be with us next year. Their sound is distinctive and important. They are such an important band, and I urge anyone who gets the chance to see them live, to absolutely take it. Take some earplugs if you want, but go. You could see just how much the band mean to everyone in the crowd, and that’s been apparent every time I’ve seen them. I remember them supporting Amyl and The Sniffers at the Albert Hall a few years ago, and it could easily have been their headline show. One day, they will sell out Albert Show for themselves for sure. They just have something about them that makes them relatable, easy to love and to pretty much become obsessed with them. They are everything the world needs right now, and they go way beyond being a noisy Punk band. They are so much more than that. You can really feel how much it means to the band to have sold out SOUP, and I think it may be the most tickets they’ve sold for a show? I may be wrong, but let’s go with me being right because it’s such a beautiful achievement for them. The love they have and how much it means to them makes it that more important- hometown gigs always are, and that’s the beauty of seeing Bruise Control in Manchester. The crowd just get it more, and we’re all just really, really proud of this beautiful band.

Songs like Taxman and Useless are screamed back to the band, and that just shows the love and dedication Bruise Control fans have. They’re a band that you want to constantly see live because the environment they create at their shows is just beautiful. My hearing is back, and my love for this band remains great. I cannot wait to hear the EP in the new year, and for any shows that follow. They are easily Manchester’s fines