Summer's festival season is firmly behind us now, and the city's gig scene is back in top gear. As well as the established venues that have become stalwarts in this review series, the city welcomed a new one: New Century Hall.
More reviews will be coming from that showpiece hall in October, but for now, here are the best Manchester had on offer this September. There's everything from the art-pop collective making a welcome return, to a new manc three-piece giving a stellar debut show.
That's just to mention two of the seven acts the Manchester Evening News reviewed this month, so in chronological order, here are the best of the bunch.
READ MORE: Our picks for Manchester's best small gigs in October 2022
Superorganism — Gorilla — September 20
The last time Superorganism, the eclectic international art-pop group, played in Manchester was four-and-a-half years ago, in Gorilla.
Since then, the group has lost three of its original eight members, and released a new album — World Wide Pop — but finds itself back where it was, geographically at least, following the release of its debut record.
But it’s not fair to say they’ve not grown as a group. The new record is more involved, more intricate, and more idiosyncratic than the first. It makes for a compelling listen — but hasn’t quite translated to the live stage.
Superorganism work best when they’re a collective in harmony with the audience — something singer Orono Noguchi alluded to herself. “Last time I was sick as hell,” she told the Gorilla gang. “Somehow the people of Manchester brought the energy and my voice came back.”
So having that idiosyncratic sophomore album has its problems in getting people onside. Debut hits like ‘Something for your M.I.N.D’ and ‘Everybody wants to be famous’ are still sung by the lung-full, as are newer tracks like ‘Don't Let The Colony Collapse’, but overall the new album gets a muddled reception.
That’s a pity for what is a very talented group of musicians and performers, and when the third album is being produced, they’re going to need to keep it fresh, fun, and have an extra oomph. It’s a tall order, but one which Superorganism are capable of overcoming.
Just Mustard - Band On The Wall - September 22
Just Mustard rolled into town with two albums under their belt, and an understated hype around them. The Dundalk five piece have been attracting attention for their moody yet piercing song writing, and some bold artistic choices.
However, on the basis of this show. It looks like there is still some fine tuning to do. The band are trying to walk a very fine line between shoegaze and bona fide industrial music. At points, they nail it - but too often their craft gets lost in the swirl of emotions.
Just Mustard’s music is very adept at causing that swirl of emotions to connect inside you - but it’s also a feeling which needs to be satisfied by having one thought or emotion plucked away and played with. The band has a brilliant ability to select the feelings of intrigue, irreverence, and intimacy within you. But they don’t have a direct enough approach to bring it out of you.
This May all sound like high-concept, what-does-it-all-mean rubbish, but the fact is that the band need to simplify to get the best out of their sound. If they can pull it off - and their musical talents suggest they can - we have a seriously good and seriously important band on our hands.
Jacana People - Gorilla - September 25
A special mention must also be made for Jacana People. The electronic duo from London supported Porij’s Gorilla show, and produced half an hour of DJ-engineered silk.
The twosome have one very special gift: an ability to do the simple things well. Their artistry was easy to recognise from the off, and could also create layers upon layers of textured beats with enough directness and drive to get the crowd moving.
In all, the end product is a feeling within you that Jacana People are saying ‘come in, the water’s warm’ - and it’s a promise they keep.
Porij - Gorilla - September 25
Porij rolled back into Manchester for a hometown show with a genuine sense that this four-piece are the city’s next bright hope to reach musical stardom. It’d be wrong, however, to just dismiss Porij as another group of lads in parkas doing Oasis impressions. For one, a headline set at Gorilla is the kind of show that grassroots bands like Porij — who only have one EP released — don’t often pack out.
And those who were there on that Sunday night were not left disappointed. The group’s use of synths, with a playfulness in their lyrics, is perfectly matched by singer Eggy’s free movement. Baby-faced in appearance, Eggy has all the qualities of the great, engaging front people of the past.
There’s something so enticing about Porij. It’s not just Eggy enjoying themselves, Jacob cheerily going about the guitar, or Nathan’s punchy drums. It’s their ability to know what they’re good at, and are also not afraid to experiment. Tracks like ‘Automatic’ have a funk feeling to them, ‘Figure Skating’ has a bed straight from the best of drum and bass, and ‘Lose Our Minds’ is an ode to the best of early-00’s UK garage.
Their set at Gorilla showed off the best of the band, and with the buzz around Porij, it won’t be the last time they’re selling out a Manchester venue.
Parcels — O2 Ritz — September 27
Parcels strive for perfection in their performances.
The group's last gig in Manchester four years ago required no prior knowledge of the funky five-piece for a fun-filled night. But this month, they returned to the city to find they'd amassed a following of loyal fans who could sing every lyric of their back catalogue.
Hailing from Byron Bay in Australia, the Berlin-based band released a daring double album post-pandemic – a departure from their disco-inspired debut, showcasing the group's growth into a sound which straddles genres. The Daft Punk influence remains in this concept album which is filled with string sections, adding to their trademark harmonies to create a mellower mood to many songs.
But their sold out show at the O2 Ritz was anything but mellow. At times, it felt like the set would be suited to the Hacienda as the band transformed their songs into club remixes on stage.
The transitions between tracks were typically tight with harmonies painfully perfect. Even the band's set up was thought through with formation changes throughout. But this clearly considered choreography was no distraction from the free-flowing fun.
The musical maestros and their adoring audience fed off each others' energy. Drummer Anatole 'Toto' Serret told the crowd how 'special' it was to hear them all sing along, but then fall silent when the songs were more sombre.
Impressively, the audience's attention was held even through the dramatic jumping between genres and their appreciation was audible throughout. To be in that room did feel special, indeed.
Freak Slug — Night and Day — September 29
Freak Slug is the work of Xenya Genovese, a mancunian singer-songwriter, and has a short album and one EP under her belt. It’s not an extensive body of work, but was enough to show fans at Night and Day Cafe — who play as a three-piece — that they have real talent and the musicianship worth giving your attention to.
Sonically, it’s feel-good, bedroom pop, delivered with a northern twang. This section of the industry is very saturated, however, and fortunately for Freak Slug, they’re an incredibly tight and carefully rehearsed group. As their 45-minute set progressed, it was announced that the tempo would be upped.
For most audiences, that would mean a mosh pit could be on the cards — but not so with this group. Their music is for the swayers, shoulder boppers, and smilers. It’s the soundtrack to a beautiful beach day with your mates. It’s what you throw on while you get ready on the first warm spring day of the year. It’s gorgeous.
That’s not to say they’re sugar-sweet, however. There’s an edge to Xenya, who has a vocal range that goes from a desperate Robert Smith plea, to a vicious snap of Olivia Rodrigo. That’s best evidenced in three tracks — her own ‘Alien Girl’ and ‘Messing Around’, plus her cover of ‘Disorder’, by Joy Division.
Freak Slug need time, that’s obvious. But, in a similar way to Porij, they have shown they have that secure sound which they’re comfortable with — and just as comfortable playing with. So go on, add them to your 2023 summer vibes playlist now, and have a dance.
The Lounge Society - Gorilla - September 30
Even though The Lounge Society were only 35 days on from releasing their first album, it has to be said that it wasn’t a slam-dunk that the group would impress at Gorilla on the last day of the month.
That’s not because the Hebden Bridge group are poor musicians - and notions of that were dispelled within seconds of entering the stage - but it’s a disquiet based on the fact that sometimes, their genre of post-punk - seemingly in vogue as ‘post-Brexit new wave’ at the moment - is difficult to pull off.
Even if from the outside there were fears, the band didn’t have any. Strolling on to stage, cans held aloft, the gang of four launched into a rip-roaring set. Sonically, they’re akin to a wave of other groups - like Yard Act, Squid, and Sports Team.
Clones they are not, though. It’s a shame Andy Gill, the founder of Gang of Four, passed away in 2020. It’s nice to imagine that he’d like these four lads.
They’ve got the rangey guitars, syncopated rhythms, thorough drumming, and nigh-on nonsensical pulsating dancing which his group became famous for.
Again, though, clones of that group they are not. They are inspired by them, no doubt, but have the edge and off-kilter attitude updated for the world of 2022.
So, with a debut to be proud of, and a burgeoning scene around them, celebrate The Lounge Society - the latest in a long line of post-punk defenders to come from the north.
Get the latest on Mancunian culture here.
READ NEXT:
Arctic Monkeys ticket prices confirmed from £72.50 for new UK tour
Inside the vast spaceship structure that's about to transform Manchester's arts and music scene
The show they didn't want us to review - Mrs Doubtfire musical reviewed
Carly Rae Jepsen adds Manchester date to 2023 tour - how to get tickets
