After
weeks of excited anticipation what promised to be one of the most
memorable weekends of the year was finally here. The very best of the
UK's amazing punk rock scene were descending of Manchester for the
first ever Manchester Punk Festival.
There
were two gigs happening on the opening night of the festival, 2 Sick
Monkeys were headlining at The Ducie Bridge and Creeper were
headlining at the festivals main venue Sound Control. I decided to to
hang out at Sound Control to get a feel for the place where I would
be spending most of my weekend and to check out some of the young up
and comers in the scene.
Simmer
were the band tasked with opening the festival. A nicely sized crowd
arrived early to see the Cheshire based four piece. The festival
program describes them as “ambient punk” which is far better than
my initial attempt at describing their sound as spaced out emo. It's
great to see a band trying to do something different and interesting
with the punk sound.
Next
up were one of the scenes most hotly tipped bands, Boston Manor. I
really enjoyed these guys set of energetic pop punk. They played with
a confidence of a band much older than them, the enthusiasm and
passion for the music they play really shone through and was very
infectious. At multiple times during their set I found myself wanting
to sing along despite not knowing any of the words. Great Stuff!
Another
band that played with a lot of enthusiasm and passion were
Hindsights. Much like Boston Manor they played pop punk music but
they utilized two singers, keeping the songs sounding fresh and
varied, is really enjoyed this. Then there was bass player Miles who
was something else. It was very hard not to watch him on stage,
endlessly bouncing around, permanently with a huge grin on his face
it was hard not to smile along with him. It was absolutely fantastic
to see someone so fully immersed in what they are doing. If
Hindsights play anywhere near you I suggest checking them out,
fantastic live band.
Finally
it was time for Southampton's Creeper. It's hard to believe that
these guys have only been together for just over a year and they are
already headlining a festival. Taking to the stage to the Casper The
Friendly Ghost theme tune Creeper stormed through songs from their
fantastic debut EP as well as a brand new song and a cover of an AFI
song Creeper showed just why they are rising so quickly in the whole
of the UK's alternative music scene and not just the world of punk
rock. Of course front man Will was again the star of the show ,
performing with a theatricality that had the whole crowds undivided
attention. I can't wait for Creeper to put out their debut full
length, expect them to explode when they do.
I
really enjoyed the opening night of the festival. Sound Control
showcased some of the best new bands in the punk scene,which
currently seems like an endless conveyor belt of new talent coming
through. If the opening night of the festival was this good I knew
that I was in for a treat the next day.
Now listening to When I Thought I Was A Boy I Thought I Was A Fish by The Smith Street Band
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