Snow Patrol / White Lies / Cashier Number 9

@ Manchester MEN Arena

Snow Patrol are finally back in Manchester. This time to showcase their latest hit album A Hundred Million Suns. The concert was a complete sell out from the moment tickets went on sale.

Cashier no. 9 were 1st up. Well received by the crowd who may have been anxiously waiting for the main act but with the arena more than half full it was a great start for Cashier no. 9 who lapped up the exposure.

White Lies were next and you could see the anticipation from the crowd for this great young band who delighted by playing a selection from their debut album 'To Lose My Life'. Their strong vocals almost dark possibly gothic electro like sound is a refreshing change for the indie rock music scene.

With great adulation from a screaming crowd Snow Patrol were finally ready to take the stage. Starting the show with a bang under a sea of light and special effects. A visual was put up of text on a black background stating "Take back the cities" a huge list of cities was displayed before "and finally Manchester... Snow Patrol" was presented to a screaming crowd. The fans went into frenzy as Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, Paul Wilson, Tom Simpson and Jonny Quinn finally appeared.

Kicking off with their latest single If There's a Rocket Tie Me to it. Favourites such as Chocolate and Hands Open quickly followed. All of this was taking place as the stunning backdrop continuously moved up and down with images were shown from the cover of their latest album and live video feeds of the group lighting up the stage.

The concert ended with a quite unique encore. A huge white canvas dropped from the rafters to create a screen for an animation to accompany the next song 'Lightning Strike'. The band played from behind the canvas with only the silhouette of Lightbody showing through, the crowd absolutely loved it. The canvas was dropped though for the very last song You're All I Have, not one of the much more popular songs to finish the set with but it seems as if Snow Patrol were trying something new.

On whole the concert was brilliant and Snow Patrol did nothing but amaze their fans re-affirming their status as one of the biggest bands in the UK today with a great set accompanied by and amazing show of lights and special effects. The fans left the arena having loved every minute of the gig with maybe the only disappointment being the non traditional version of Run, Snow Patrols most famous song of all.

Simon Lee

Tom Hingley / The Dead Delta / Ian Britt / Durban

@ Sheffield Pomona

The Pomona was running about an hour late before the live entertainment actually began. So people gave a healthy applause when the first band began to play. It was Durban, a five piece rock band from Sheffield. Their sense of humour apparent from the off – they compared themselves to five sardines in a tin as they crammed themselves onto the small stage. Their first track 'Can't take anymore' was lively and instantly gave the band a strong presence. Charva gave us confident vocals and he was very versatile front man with his tambourine and harmonica. This band really knows how to blend sound - from their ringing guitars, spiralling chords to harmonising vocals.

Next up was Ian Britt who gave us an acoustic set. Initially he reminded me of a faster version of James Morrison – with shorter hair! Although it was Ian's banter which was more memorable than his music...he compared the crowd's smattering applause to the sound of "Cows taking a Sh*t"...nice chap. Then the next minute Ian says, "I either look like a legend or a cock..." I'm not saying which one I thought he looked like....

The Pomona was full by the time The Dead Delta took to the stage, their opening track 'light The Flame In Me' had a Rolling Stone sound to it, which impressed the crowd and they received a very enthusiastic response. Joe had to curb his usual stage performance due to lack of space but his hair still looked good! 'Walk On Water' was another excellent track with its screeching start and danceable tune, which encouraged some people out of their seats. The most popular track of the night was the thrashing 'Be Mine' - an instant crowd pleaser. These lads are an impressive band and I'm sure most people will see them again, very soon.

The last act of the night was Tom Hingley – who was originally the lead vocalist with Inspiral Carpets. But as the set progressed it was obvious it was going to be anything but an early '90's revival. Tom gave us another acoustic set, which at the beginning was very foot tappingly enjoyable. The crowd (which by now had dwindled to a small gathering of supportive fans) - sang their way through pretty much every song he strummed out. Toms set was a mixture of his own tracks and cover versions. At times the entertainment came across more like a jamming session than an organised set, but that's what the listeners wanted – spontaneity.

Quite frankly - there were far too much acoustic music for my tastes, but a really enjoyable evening all the same.

Gail Buckthorpe

Marmaduke Duke / Airship

@ Leeds Brudenell Social Club

Okay, before I start the review there is a problem that's been bugging me recently at gigs, and this is the treatment of roadies. They soundcheck, tune and test every instrument on stage for no thanks. Instead, they get grief and abuse from annoyingly immature (or drunk) "fans" of the band who think its funny to shout stuff at them and make fun of them while they soundcheck the drums. Gigs are for everyone, they're not just for you, so calm down and just talk to your friends before the gig starts. Leave the professionals to do their jobs. Okay...

Airship from Manchester open the proceedings tonight at the absolutely packed Brudenell. "Manchester's best keep secret" are Biblically brilliant too. Elliot Williams' voice sweeps over the audience, like Jonsi Birginsson in English as Airship start their set with a whisper, letting Williams sing alone over a light drone, before smashing into opener "Algebra". The rest of the set is pure Indie-fused heaven, with the young but incredibly impressive four-piece sailing through a set worthy of such a high-profile support slot. The levels do leave a lot to the imagination, with the overall sound blending together in a sort of... sound cloud... if you will, only becoming distinct during the verses and the band's more intricate sections. Let's have them back very soon, with just a little more variety? More variety in the songs and they'll be massive, trust me. They won over enough new fans already.

Marmaduke Duke eh? Little known side-project hybrid of Biffy Clyro and Succioperro? Two of Scotland's most innovative bands? Surely this will be a most deep and intimate gig! No. It's not. It's absolute pandemonium. That's what it is. The band jump onto the stage, all feathers, gimp masks and colourful tights, before Simon Neil ("The Atmosphere"... obviously...) jumps straight back off into the crowd, screaming his head off. The rest of the set follows by example, as the Biffy front man leaps into the crowd more times than Succioperro have been mentioned by them. There's no talking here, the Duke race through the set, with all the pace of (NME description warning!) "a random fast band" on pills!

What's surprising is the amount of people who are singing along tonight. For a fairly unknown band the Duke have pulled a huge crowd who are obviously very dedicated fans. I almost feel bad for not knowing many of the songs. However, new single "Kid Gloves" makes a popular appearance, while the beautifully random "Everybody Dance" and "An Egyptian and an Imposter" provide that kind of unpredictability and variety that both Biffy Clyro and Succioperro were known for before this. Simon Neil is undoubtedly the star of tonight's show, but you've got to admire the chemistry that this group has. With 2 drummers especially, the fact that they can scream through such an intricate set is impressive, but that everyone in the band knows every lyric of every song is even more so.

Rob Wright

Skint & Demoralised / Orange 38 / Plug Factory / Basement Project

@ Sheffield

Basement Project open proceedings to a good early crowd. A local five piece they blaze a trail of free spirited indie rock hampered by a blurred overly loud sound which meant it was difficult picking out some of the riffs at times. They overcome with some great vocals from frontman Joe and a set list that gets faster as it unwinds to a track of near light speed 'Independence Please'. The crowd loved it, who am I to argue ?

Plug Factory, another local outfit are next up, they give us popular but predictable formula indie and the sound is again too loud for the room and so picking out the subtleties of the music is tricky. The powerful 'in your face' vocals of the frontman again dominates a well received, energetic set with 'Wasting My Time' probably the highlight. The bar is raised significantly however with the entrance of Orange 38, with it the very talented and charismatic Paddy Orange. He is the main focus and from uttering 'yes, yes, yes, Sheffield' he has the assembled on his team. Starting with all guns blazing with 'Be Aggressive' the addition of new boy Ash on bass is seamless and his driving beats if anything take the band up a gear. The excellent Sophie whose vocals add the perfect foil for Paddy's machine gun rapping even gets to do a wonderful solo vocal track. There would undoubtedly be an encore if they were headlining but tonight that honour goes to a good friend of Mr Orange, namely Matt Abbott in his stage persona Skint & Demoralised.

An amazing success story from unknown poet to signing a 5 album deal for a major label and headlining a national tour all in 18 months would faze most 20 year olds but not Matt. With his writing partner and mentor MiNI dOG in the audience, the three piece armed with backing track is a surprising change to the live format but works well. Given a heroes welcome in his adopted home, despite hailing from Wakefield before recently relocating to London, Matt intersperses excellent songs like 'This Song Is Not About You' and 'Red Lipstick' with his poems ala his hero John Cooper Clarke. The most topical was decrying the BNP, which some revellers at the back amazingly took to be support and tried heckling but from atop a speaker with his head touching the venue ceiling he managed to get his message across regardless. A great set that bodes well for the release in July of debut album 'Love, And Other Catastrophes...'

Sean Bruce
pics by Mark Tighe

Marble Valley / The Nightjars / Driver Drive Faster

Blowout @ Manchester Chorlton Irish Club

Once upon a time there was Polytechnic. They were stamped with LeMacq's seal of approval, released an album, then stopped. Now the story continues with Driver Drive Faster, a new incarnation, making their live debut at Chorlton's live mainstay Blowout. There has been a slight personnel change, but they are certainly no chattier than before. Their sound has moved away from the sunny guitar pop of "Pep" to a more careworn keyboard-driven feel. The vocals have sunk back down into the mix. On the night, it took a while for them to really get going – the epic gestures fell a little flat. Until the closing two numbers, when the big, fractured psychedelic keyboard and grinding Bowie guitar danced like desert lightning and it all made sense.

The Nightjars launched their full-blown debut album tonight as well, muscling up the quieter numbers with yet more propellant guitar and churning bass. They reminded me of The Wedding Present, a kind of dour, intense celebration - like Sonic Youth playing at a birthday party. Lou told me they sounded "frayed and scraped like bitten nails". I heard the crew of some sleek musical u-boat. The bass glided with tuneful menace, the guitar flashed. The indiest guys in the room gave a powerful performance.

It seemed strange to see Pavement's Steve West in such low-key surroundings, working hard to involve the crowd as his mic kept cutting out, stepping from the stage with lyric sheets stuffed in his back pocket. His Marble Valley sounded like a bar-room version of the former band - albeit covering Status Quo - but his princely indie heritage and playful intent could not save them from sinking under the weight of the crowd's indifference.

CocOen

Darke Horse / Glass Youth / The Cartels / Friends of Heroes

@ Sheffield

The venue was quite empty as the usually popular Sound Clash kicked off another evening of wall to wall music. The first band up was Friends Of Heroes, who didn't let the small number of people dampen their enthusiasm. Their sound from the off being - energetic, hair swooshingly thrashing in a typical Metallica kind of style. One track in particular (which I think was called 'Waiting for Yesterday') instantly grabbed the crowd's attention - this song definitely had all the ingredients of it becoming a future anthem for the band.

Next up was The Cartels an indie four piece, who opened their set to a fairly small gathering too. The Cartels sound and energy was really a total contrast to Friends of Heroes. The track 'White Room' breathed life into their set and was the most memorable song, oozing potential with its catchy guitar sound. Another good track which encouraged some of the increasing crowd to dance and sing was the very learnable 'We All Sing Together'. Their set finished on quite a high as the room became full ready for the next act.

Glass Youth (formerly known as The Headliners) received an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd as they entered the stage. Their danceable indie sound obvious as Ol the drummer began confidently beating his drum to the opening of 'Hanging On The Washing Line', and as the guitars kick in giving their set a unique hum - Sam the vocalist bounces around the set in an energetic fashion; his voice being quite smooth and very 60's, but also being quite versatile with it. Their soon to be released single 'Bottle After Bottle' is an obvious winner and the crowd can't help but dance and sing to it. I have to say since their signing to new label Global Mongrel earlier this year, their confidence as a band has found new heights. These lads sound good and appeal to all ages, and as they seem to be going from strength to strength – we will definitely be hearing from them again soon.

The last band of the night (Darke Horse) hit the stage very dramatically with their pyrotechnics...so much so I was blinded for a good few seconds and there after only seeing strange purple and gold spots for the remainder of the set. Although that didn't detract me from the swoonable singer who oozed pure rock appeal – his confidence and showmanship really gave the band an edge. The sound of this band is rock with lots of roll, especially with their mesmerising riffs and pounding bass line. Their set list obviously went down well with their most faithful fans; 'Jacks My Friend' being the fans favourite. Even for the people who have never seen or heard these lads before, they found themselves singing away to the catchiest of lyrics and tunes.

Reviewed By Gail Buckthorpe
Photos Geoff Buckthorpe

Terrorvision / Rebel Yell

@ Manchester Academy

Is it really 15 years since 'How To Make Friends And Influence People' hit the shelves? Most of us would rather not admit to anything that ancient, but thank god Terrorvision can bring out the kids in us. If these guys can party when they are into their forties, then there's hope for us all.

Tonight's support are a rockabilly band from Leeds by the name of Rebel Yell. If Joe Strummer had picked up a double bass instead of a guitar and sported 50's clothes The Clash would have been like Rebel Yell. A very tight band with catchy tunes and looks to draw the girls in, they should be signed already (but aren't, as music deals these days do not cater for good music).

They are all huddled in one corner with a big pink light blinding everyone who tries to watch them, but the sounds of 'Glasses, Bottles and Knives' and 'Yesterday's Fish and Chips Wrapper' are well played punk tracks with added swing on the double bass (singer Ray stands on and dances around the huge stringed beast). The crowd seem genuinely interested in the band, despite the different style of music; a good choice for an opening band...

The tension for Terrorvision is great. I was present at both 'Lost Weekender' reunion tours last year, and this is the most excited I have seen people in the crowd. Maybe it's because you know what's coming? The sound of 'Tick Tock' merges into 'Alice, What's The Matter' and then it's memories all the way!

'Tick Tock' ends the album slot, and then Rebel Yell appear again to play a few Terrorvision covers like 'Bad Actress', but in a Rockabilly way. The Bradford lads have not left though, and they return to play a selection of tracks from other albums, like 'Josephine', 'Celebrity Hit List' and the odd rarity like 'Mr Buskerman'. The alternative version of 'Tequila' is the one that should have been released in the charts, with it's jazz swing, and the encore of 'My House' and 'Perseverance' raises the roof.

The band themselves are still the same; Tony Wright is fully charged like the Duracell bunny and still as cheeky, and Shutty, Leigh and Mark give out the memorable riffs and beats to songs like 'Discotheque Wreck' and others, joined by Milly Evans on keyboards. The crowd that I can see are dancing about like they don't give a shit, despite many being the same age as the band. This was a great show, and I can't wait for the 20 year HTMFAIP tour!

Danielle Millea

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