Featured image: Georgina Hurdsfield
While on their run of summer festivals, Alvvays stopped by Manchester’s New Century Hall to put on an unforgettable dream-like show. Selling out the 1200 capacity venue, it was Manchester’s first chance to hear songs from Blue Rev live, their third album which was released back in 2022.
Opening with ‘Pharmacist’, the room lit up as the Canadian band glowed in different colours as images were projected onto the white sheet behind them, immediately creating a dreamy feel to match their dream-pop sound. The new songs transpired well live, with a clear favourite being ‘Very Online Guy’. Lead singer, Molly Rankin, introduced the song asking if there were any online guys in the room, which was met with a few cheers.
Alvvays played a 22 song set, featuring a range of tracks from their growing discography. Fan-favourites included ‘Not My Baby’, ‘Archie, Marry Me’, and ‘Dreams Tonite’ which encouraged fans to sway amongst friends and strangers, shoulder to shoulder, and sing along to every word. Rankin’s vocals were soft and airy yet filled with raw emotion while the band and set-up created an intimate atmosphere.
It was clear the crowd were fully immersed in the songs as the set quickly flew by. There was little communication with the audience, however, this felt unneeded as the tight performance and heavenly music spoke for itself.
Finishing the set with ‘Next of Kin’, ‘Velveteen’ and ‘Lottery Noises’, Alvvays fly through the last three songs almost effortlessly, with Rankin hitting every note perfectly. Alvvays were a delight to witness live, and we hope that there won’t be another five year break between their latest album and new music.
Featured image: Gary Walker Neo-blues soul artist Yellow Days, the stage name of Haslemere’s George van den Broek, returns to Manchester with his seventh album, Rock And A Hard Place, and a live show that proves just how far he has come. Before he steps out, London-based act Brian Nasty warms the room up nicely,…
Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch The Royston Club perform alongside Overpass and Permanent (Joy) at a sold-out O2 Victoria Warehouse. Welsh indie rock band The Royston Club, school friends who began playing together in 2017, now headline O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. Touring second album Songs For The Spine, they generate an energetic sold-out…
Featured image: Radical Optimism Album Artwork / Warner Music Radical Optimism was released in May 2024 by Dua Lipa, an album which I have grown to love more and more after every listen, and earning my most-listened-to album on Spotify last year. However, critics had different opinions, with the Huffington Post declaring that it’s “great, but not…
Featured image: Press It’s a spring evening at Manchester Academy 2, and there is a stir of anticipation. An amicable, yet certainly eager crowd flock to the front of the sold-out venue, itching to secure a satisfactory view of the stage. Of course, Balu Brigada are worth the urgency. Formed in 2016 by multi-instrumentalist brothers…
Leave a reply