Featured image and gallery: Rianna Ram
English Indie rock band The Rifles return to Manchester for the second night of their latest UK tour, celebrating their new album Love Your Neighbour. Joining them for a selection of shows are up-and-coming indie lads from Manchester, Rolla.
The crowd gather as Rolla kick-off with a bang. Each member of the band stares through a pair of sunglasses as they power through tracks like ‘Ease My Mind’ and ‘Hey You’.
As the anticipation grows, The Rifles emerge, greeted by a thunder of applause. From the first sound of the guitar, it’s clear this is going to be a night of indie bliss. The London-based Britpop band dive into their set, including tracks like ‘Local Boy’ and ‘Repeated Offender’, which bring about a sense of nostalgia throughout the room.
After seeing the band back in 2019 at Splendour Festival, I questioned whether they would be able to top that performance, but the energy in Academy 2 is infectious, with each member of the band feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm. Frontman Joel Stoker takes over the stage with his effortless charm, displaying the chemistry between the members of the band.
As the night gradually comes to an end, the final chords of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ begin to play after a well-predicted encore, and it’s clear that The Rifles and Rolla have delivered an experience that will be remembered. As the concert draws to a final close, the band has proven once again why they’re one of the most beloved indie bands in the scene. They are definitely one to catch.
Featured image: Molly Goble and Anna Comerford aAh! Magazine fashion editor Imogen Burgess meets the Manchester fashion creatives rewriting the rules of the industry. Fashion has long been defined by its connection to exclusivity and elitism – an industry where “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” rings true. This phrase, also a…
Featured image: Ciara Reynolds and Charle Mooney Every Tuesday, 91-year-old Joan walks from her flat to Turncroft Lane in Stockport to set up for the weekly ballroom dancing. Joan, a dedicated member of Woodbank Community Centre, has been attending ballroom classes for more than 20 years – and she has no plans to slow down anytime…
Featured image: Aigerim Zhumabay Life comes at you fast once you leave uni. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make post-degree is where to set up home. If you plan on staying in Manchester, there’s so much more to the city’s suburbs than Chorlton or the familiar sights around the Oxford Road/Wilmslow Road corridor. Greater…
Featured image: Georgina Hurdsfield Sam Fender has become impossible to ignore in the past year, from being crowned the Mercury Prize winner to releasing his best-selling album, selling out stadiums, and receiving four Brit Award nominations. The Geordie’s indie-pop anthems and addictive, rock-influenced tunes provide something for the masses to sing their hearts out to. If…
Leave a reply