Featured image: Gina Jackson
aAh! rounds up the student bands to have on your radar
Squelch!
A self-proclaimed ‘North West emo’ band, Squelch! celebrated the release of their debut EP A Professional Lie in April this year. Combining angular guitar riffs with primal, gut-wrenching vocals, A Professional Lie has the makings of a cult classic amongst Manchester’s revered alternative scene. Having performed up and down the country, Squelch! have garnered a reputation for their thrashing live chemistry and are supported by a committed following of hard-core fans. The band also shares close ties with post-punk peers Vincent’s Last Summer and People Person. Follow @squelchsquelchsquelch.
Sals & The Overthinkers
Taking their name from The Salutation Pub on Higher Chatham Street, Sals & The Overthinkers released their debut single ‘Finally Giving Up’ just four months after their first band rehearsal. The five-piece consists of first-year and international students studying at MMU. Bonding over a shared love of the early 2000s British indie scene, Sals & The Overthinkers channel this youthful exuberance of bands such as The Libertines and Arctic Monkeys. They played their first concert at MMU’s Indie Society gig night, the frenzied set of DIY covers including ‘Creep’, ‘505’ and ‘Valerie’ serving as a fitting tribute to the music that soundtracks the band’s tight-knit friendship. Follow @sals_theoverthinkers.
The Divine
Hailing from Manchester’s BIMM Music Institute, The Divine are a tour de force of rock and roll. Complete with era-appropriate haircuts, the three-piece call back to genre icons such as The Stooges and Led Zeppelin. Their debut single ‘She’s Sublime’ features a rip-roaring guitar solo alongside lyrics that are alluring in their simplicity, and the band have spent their summer on the road, performing sold-out shows in Manchester, London, and Hull. Invigorated by the reception to their live material, the band’s next move is highly anticipated. Follow @thedivine.music.
Art Decade
In an industry that thrives on Instagram clicks and TikTok teasers, Art Decade operate under a refreshing veil of anonymity. Making a last-minute appearance at MMU’s Indie Society gig night in April, all the band’s work in progress is cryptically stashed away on SoundCloud. Pairing sentimental subject matter with guitar-heavy instrumentation, Art Decade have gained early attention for their impressive improvisation on stage. The band have started a slow unveiling on social media, with hints of new music in the coming months. Waiting in the wings, it can only be a matter of time before Art Decade emerges to take the local post-punk scene by storm. Follow @artdecadeband.
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