Featured image: Jess Berry
Far from the sweaty scenes that usually haunt YES Basement, this midweek crowd stands sensibly paced, weather appropriate jackets still donned. For opener, three-piece ‘The Shaking Hands’, social-distancing is still observed.
It’s slow, sad rock that greets you. Without pause, the trio play for ten minutes at a time. Whilst not clear where one song begins and another ends, the ambient reverb echoes through the venue like the soundtrack to a Channel 4 drama. Depending on your mood, it could be a bit dire. There’s a sense that an audience isn’t required for their jam session.
Announcing their arrival, it’s made clear that TV Priest have been in the audience the whole time. They unceremoniously clamber onto the short stage to set up their gear, it’s very down to earth. The crowd is littered with mustaches and tote bags, leading one to believe that you’re simply not cool enough for this kind of gig. It’s the 4th show on their “work-in-progress shows of new (and old) music” tour, and the guinea pigs gather here.
Opening with ‘Bury Me In My Shoes’’, bassist Nic Bueth leads us into a spellbinding cacophony of punk. It does feel like a sermon, lead Charlie Drinkwater performs like a man possessed; eyes closed and hands shaking with the music.
Drinkwater’s thick voice carries a theatrical husk, he’s a thrilling watch. There’s synthy keys and a rough yet mature feel to their performance. He jokes that they’ve peppered the new material through out so “no-one can fuck off”. It goes down a treat. Making reference to the unfortunate timing of their album releases, coinciding with the pandemic, Drinkwater tells us how refreshing it is to trial songs before they release a record. He offers a questionnaire at the end of the show.
Playing fan favorites such as ‘Press Gang’ and ‘Limehouse Cut’, they weave between personal experiences and politics. Unreleased ‘Just So You Know’ begins with a screeching synth that transports you into an Ari Aster film.
During ‘There’s a Place’, Drinkwater abandons the mic to sing to us acoustically. His voice is raw and nourishing, and only YES Basement could accommodate for an intimacy like this.
It’s bizarre to see a band climb off and back on a stage for an encore, but it’s a further nod to the seclusion of the night. They finish on ‘Decoration’, forcing the younger half of the crowd into dancing and thrashing.
Joined by drummer Stephanie, much to the delight of the crowd, the 4-man band are faultless. Perfectly suited to a dimly lit basement on a wintery Wednesday, TV Priest provide full-bodied post-punk that transcends generations. There’s no date attached to these new releases as of yet, but it’s well worth tuning in to.
Featured image: WendyWei.pexels With the most anticipated night of the year right around the corner, the big question is looming: where are you going to celebrate it? Whether you dread it or count down the days, are new to the Manchester nightlife scene or are a regular, we’ve got your New Year’s Eve plans sorted….
By Georgia Robinson Featured image and gallery: Ruby Sharp Get one step ahead of your 2025 aesthetic and plan your outfits for the new year with this guide to all the trends we expect to see next year. Why not jazz up your wardrobe with trending accessories or browse Depop and Vinted for a pre-loved…
Featured image and gallery: Kaitlyn Brockley The rumble of trains passing through Piccadilly station, the hollers of touts (“tickets, buy or sell?”) and security (“have your IDs ready”), and the excitable chatter of gig-goers all audibly backdrop the outskirts of Manchester’s Mayfield Depot this dark, damp evening. Leaving the outside chill and travelling along the…
Featured image and gallery: Leo Woollison Crook Angela Cheveau and Kate Carne were crowned winners of the 2024 QuietManDave Prize on Friday. The short-form writing prize is held biennially to honour the memory of the much-loved and well-known Manchester writer and critic Dave Murray, who passed away in 2019. The writers were each awarded £1000…
Leave a reply