It's been another busy month for Manchester's music scene. From spell-binding electronic duos at Yes, raucous rockers at the Academy, and dream-pop in Gorilla, the city has once again delivered on its promise as the music capital of the UK.
As the nights get longer, and the dilemma as whether or not to wear a jacket to a gig gets more difficult, the M.E.N has been out on the beat getting the reviews from the small gigs which matter in the city. Gold stars go to Real Lies, Alvvays, and Gabriels for electrifying shows, especially.
Now we're in November, we've also previewed the best gigs for this month, too. Top picks include Kojey Radical, Upsahl, and Courtney Barnett.
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That is then but let's take a step back to when. When? October 3, when Kwasi Kwarteng was still Chancellor and Alvvays played Gorilla.
Alvvays - Gorilla - October 3
“I did not know if we were going to come back. We have lots to get off our chest,” is how Molly Rankin introduced Alvvays on their return to Manchester. It was 2018 the last time they played a headline show here - and that jeopardy was no stagecraft.
Following the release of the 2017 masterpiece Antisocialites , the group had reportedly nigh-on completed a follow up - but then the demo tapes for that album were stolen.
To compound matters, there’s been line up changes - including bringing in Sharon and Abbie, both from Seattle. That’s made Alvvays an international venture, with the rest of the group being Canadian.
And then, the pandemic happened, so they couldn’t re-record their hard work. Alvvays might have remained one of those brilliant but short lived alternative acts that are all too common.
Happily, the release of their third album Blue Rev has seen the group live on. This show was several days before the world got to hear that work, but the package on show was just as bright and joyful as ever.
Throughout the show, the revamped group showed they can still belt out an anthem - like ‘Archie, Marry Me’ and ‘In Undertow’ - while retaining the sincerity required to make the more heartfelt tunes such as ‘Not My Baby’ strike at the core of one’s soul.
If anything, this show was better than the 2018 tour and serves as a reminder that you should always back Alvvays.
The Amazons - Academy - October 8
The Amazons crashed onto the Academy stage to a chorus of excited cheers before opening with album title track ‘How Will I Know?’ on Saturday, October 8 - with frontman Matt Thomson evidently just as thrilled to be back in Manchester. He addressed the electrified crowd, before leading the band into riff-heavy anthem ‘Ready for Something’ followed by 2017’s ‘‘Ultraviolet’.
It's been a difficult two years for us all, with pandemics and lockdowns. The Amazons are not immune from that, either, as Thomson explained: “This is what we waited for. Every band has had their turn to come back - this is ours. We’re in so much debt, but this is what it is all about.”
They swapped to an acoustic set-up for the beautiful ‘Northern Star’ before playing cult favourite ‘Nightdriving’ featuring a harmonica solo - something the long-time fans in the audience were incredibly happy about. It's always special when a band makes a show unique to the city they are playing in.
The Amazons surprised fans as they announced they would cover a Mancunian classic which they had practised earlier in the day. Matt said: “You cannot play Manchester without honouring the gods. Without Manchester, we wouldn’t be here. Manchester has shaped music like no other city has.”
So, the ensuing first chords of their acoustic cover of Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ launched proud Mancs into a passionate sing-a-long, and preceded the song that propelled them to the forefront of all indie club playlists - ‘Junk Food Forever’, before an encore of 2022 single ‘Bloodrush’ and finishing on ‘Black Magic’. All in all, it was indie rock at its finest.
Real Lies - Yes (Pink Room) - October 14
“I made the mistake of reading the reviews,” Kevin Lee Kharas said of Real Lies ’ second album, Lad Ash , which was released in April. “Some people say I’m the new TS Elliott. Some people say I’m the new Trigger from Only Fools and Horses. I guess the truth lies somewhere in between “
For the MEN’s money, Kharas and his partner-in-crime, Patrick King, are far closer to the former, not the latter. Lad Ash shows the best of their work off, with compelling beats combining with intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics.
This was Real Lies’ third show in Manchester in just under a year, having played in Yes’ basement last autumn, and the White Hotel in April. Both of those shows demonstrated that the band, who took a hiatus in the latter part of the last decade, were still working things out.
There was a rawness to Kharas’ singing, and a few technical issues hit them in the White Hotel. By now, though, they’re in full flight. A cult following is behind the band, who deploy dancers on-stage, armed with flags, to add to the atmosphere.
In the end, Real Lies’ experience as showmen — and of the city which spawned the cover for hit single ‘I Wander’ — made for an incredible evening that showed off the best of their work.
But it also spoke to something deeper. Real Lies’ fans are not huge in number, but they are passionate. And it’s that tight-knit group mentality that the duo have created which makes those nights so special. And no one was more aware of this than Kharas, who summed up: “This city will die for its friends.”
Inhaler - Academy - October 15
Despite their relative youth as a band, Inhaler already owns a much-sought-after stadium sound. After opening with this summer’s single ‘These Are The Days’, frontman Elijah announced “Manchester, it’s so good to be back” which encouraged screams from the excited audience.
The Irish rock band rattled through the hits like ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, ‘We Have To Move On’ and ‘Cheer Up Baby’, from their debut album, broken up by their latest release ‘Love Will Get You There’.
Inhaler didn’t interact much with the audience, which was a shame, and it almost felt as if they were a bit tired. In fact, by the end of December, the four-piece will have played almost 100 gigs this year alone. This may explain the early encore, which felt slightly premature at just an hour into the show.
They returned on stage for a live debut of their brand-new track ‘If You’re Gonna Break My Heart’ - which sounded brilliant - but an odd choice as a closing number, as they had plenty of well-known songs left to play, including sing-a-long gem ‘Ice Cream Sundae’ and ‘Falling In’.
Inhaler finished with blistering crowd-favourite ‘My Honest Face’ - a triumphant closure for their return to the city.
Angel Olsen - Albert Hall - October 21
"It's Friday night in Man-chest-ah," the potty-mouthed performer declares, as the crowd calls her name. "Angel!"
She tells the audience of a new song she was inspired to write after walking the streets of the city. She says she'll try it out for the first time tonight and gives each of her bandmates some instructions before they begin playing her breakthrough single Shut Up and Kiss Me.
It's safe to say the Southern-US singer doesn't take herself too seriously. She's here for a good time, looking for 'the best local vibe', she says as she asks for restaurant recommendations.
But don't be fooled by the fun facade. Her music transports you to a place of peaceful tranquillity and solemn reflection.
Angel Olsen's latest album, Big Time , sounds more country than her previous work. The guitar sliding in the title track, Dream Thing and This is How It Works exemplifies this.
Her voice suits the style. But she departs from it in Right Now, Go Home and her latest single All the Good Times which stands out as the strongest – although the backing vocalist behind the keys steals the limelight during this song by yelling the harmonies.
Nothing beats the ambient aesthetic of her 2019 album All Mirrors , though. The six-piece band behind her somehow emulates an orchestra, as they introduce the album's ethereal sound with strings and synths.
The deep bass drum and reverberating snare in the title track, complete the transcendental experience. The light show behind the band makes it feel like fireworks are exploding as Lark climaxes. And Angel mesmerises the audience with Chances , some of which she speaks.
Olsen looks so comfortable on stage, smiling between every sentence. She suits the country music star vibes, yodelling her songs with an acoustic guitar strapped to her front. But she shines brightest when a suited roadie removes the guitar and she is at her most vulnerable.
Gabriels - New Century Hall - October 23
After a series of cancelled concerts, Gabriels finally made it to Manchester last month. Gracing the stage of the recently reopened New Century Hall, this night felt special.
Despite having only just released part one of their first studio album, Angels & Queens, the LA-based trio led by gospel singer Jacob Lusk, have a loyal following in the city, one of three UK cities they visited on this tour. Jacob meets people who travelled 200 miles to be there.
"We've had messages from Manchester from day one," Jacob said. "We're finally here."
He appears in a full suit caped in a graduation gown and a disc-shaped mortarboard on his head before a costume change reveals a red robe with black lapels. Jacob's got style.
But his best quality is his unrivalled vocal range. The American Idol contestant reaches notes many octaves apart at a remarkable rate as he howls over his three backing singers.
By his side are Sunderland-born producer Ryan Hope and classically trained Californian fiddler Ari Balouzian - his bandmates - as well as another three musicians, making it nine on stage. But it feels like Gabriels have a whole choir with them on their second night in the city.
"On Sundays, we go to church," he tells the audience who he ordains as the 'Manchester Missionary Baptist Church', recruiting the crowd to complete the gospel aspect of his act.
In truth, the less-than-an-hour set felt too short, leaving long-time fans wanting more. Even after the band exits stage left and the lights come on, everyone is still screaming for more – and the roadies removing instruments does not deter the crowd from calling for an encore.
No doubt, the band will be back soon – but by then, they will have outgrown this venue.
Japanese Breakfast - Albert Hall - October 24
Korean-American multi-instrumentalist Michelle Zauner appears on stage and the crowd goes wild. The enthusiasm is evident throughout with regular shrieks of approval.
Truth be told, Grammy-nominated Japanese Breakfast start off with their strongest songs, top track Be Sweet appearing second in the set. But the American alternative pop band offer an extensive back catalogue beyond their latest album, Jubilee , which is well received.
Dressed in white, the Seoul-born star looks like she's walked straight out of the latest album cover. Released in the same year as their latest LP, the Oregon-based group have also soundtracked a video game - Sable - and have released two albums before that since 2016.
Five musicians appear behind the 33-year-old to complete the indie-pop sound, with guitar sections not too dissimilar from The 1975, and several synths creating an eighties aesthetic.
The band exudes indie pop perfection, but Michelle's mistakes bring raw moments to the performance. She rushes to pick up a padded drum stick to strike her a gong just in time for Paprika – the first song in the set. Later, she leaves her microphone at the keyboard, and looks around confused as the song kicks in, missing the first few lines, before laughing it off.
Nervous? No. Michelle appears relaxed. The crowd is not. "You guys are wild for a Monday!"
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