This was a game of three halves, if I can put it that way. Three bands, and each of them very impressive in their own way. One a revelation, one impressive, and the third as blow-away fantastic as I hoped.
First up for the night were Factory Acts. Truth be told, I’d had the opportunity, and not taken it, to be in the same room as them on a previous occasion. Why had I ignored them? Possibly the name, which I took as being too much of a play on their Manc / Salford heritage. What a snob I am. Whatever, it turns out I was very wrong to do so, and I will in future make every effort to be in the same time and space as these guys. A bass guitar, lots of synths and a great voice. Those around me were to a person impressed, and muttering things like ‘it reminds me of my 80’s record collection, Depeche Mode, that sort of thing’ Me, I’d have gone more with Vini Reilly comparisons, in a very non-obvious way, more about intent than music. Factory Acts were the revelation.
Full photo set HERE
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The ‘quietly impressed’ came from co-headliners, DeLooze, here for the night from London, and a week away from the launch of their debut album ‘Glass Army’. All gothicky, like a motorik Bat For Lashes. Their drama made it all a swirling fog of emotion without any need or recourse for actual smoke. I’ve been waiting all week for their album, which finally dropped this morning.
Full photo set HERE
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And the band I’d come to see, The Witch Hunt, from Leeds. I’d been knocked over by their live performance once before, cold and with no introductions a few months ago. On that occasion I’d been motivated to grab some of their music on CD, and then when that bit (hard, as it happened) I went seeking as much as I could find on download, so by tonight I had a proper feel for their music. I actually got into the venue early enough to catch them sound-checking a full run through of ‘Wide And Laughing’, which considering it was a sound-check, they delivered with full force, in the process monopolising the attention of the handful of us present. In the gig proper it went still further. As a front-woman, Louisa Osborn has the stage presence of someone used to commanding big audiences for years. Musical partner Chris Mulligan makes a good pairing (and they now have a live drummer) but in fairness, it’s the flying hair and compelling voice of Louisa that’s going to garner the attention. I’m more convinced than ever about this band.
Full photo set HERE
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It’s worth saying why tonight was happening. Manchester writer / promoter Olivia Moss is putting together a 2-day ECLECTICA event on 2-3 August at Kraak Manchester to launch the upcoming ECLECTICA PROJECT, which will showcase female talent in the industries. It gets my vote, as well as support from the likes of TYCI, the Edinburgh based and similarly-aimed collective that CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry is involved with.
