We’re back at the industrial-chic Manchester venue Gorilla for a fascinating lineup: three British bands DUOLOGUE, NYPC and FENECH-SOLER are about to appear, in that order.
DUOLOGUE play to a half-filled floor, warming us up, some of the indie tracks falling flat while the more electronic tracks are better rehearsed and seem to better reflect the band’s aesthetic. Trying a bit too hard for my liking, they’re a suitable first support band who show synchronised passion but whose live set is nothing to write home about. I imagine they’d fare better in the London hipster crowd, and they’re friends with Thom Yorke which doesn’t hurt.
NYPC (formerly New Young Pony Club) have a loyal following and they’re proud of it. The newly streamlined outfit (Tahita Bulmer, Andy Spence, Sarah Jones) take to the stage confidently. We’re now in an entirely different realm of performance as Tahita exudes natural charm and flair as the engaging lead singer that she is. She’s smiling from ear to ear, in her element as she opens the set with the stunning Sure As The Sun off the new self-titled album. “We’re NYPC! Abbreviated for your pleasure…” she reassures us.
NYPC are back with a stunning new album. They are no-questions-asked a headlining band, which makes it all the more confusing-slash-frustrating that they’re touring as a support band at this stage in their career. They’ve been established for some time, and despite the music industry’s constant refusal to acknowledge the importance of their impact on the industry, they are not only iconic, but super-talented and productive. To boot, they love performing live, and boy are they good – the set is solid from start to finish, there’s not a dull moment, and any short breaks are filled with Tahita’s warm words of gratitude and efforts to connect with the audience. In short, they are still one of the best UK bands and have one of the most enigmatic lead singers out there.
Drummer Sarah is pounding the kit with real style – the best quality drumming I’ve seen for a while, reminiscent of Maya Postepski’s strokes (Austra, Trust). Several members of the audience are uttering impressed murmurings during the set: “They’re fantastic! I’m going to follow them now…” Welcome back, NYPC.
They dig out Lost Girl from their back catalogue, smashing the stage in the process. Tahita’s swinging her mic stand, dancing her characteristic moves, and the room is moving with her. New tracks Things Like You and I Came Through For You go down really well, followed by the now-legendary Ice Cream. By the time they get to Hard Knocks and Everything Is, the crowd want more, but the band get unceremoniously kicked off stage before they are just about to go into their last track… a lot of grumbling ensues from the crowd, aimed at the stage management, not the band, and Tahita’s already on her way to the merch stand to sign CDs and chat to folks.
The term ‘solid’ doesn’t even do their set justice, and if you want to hear a great new album, make sure you invest in NYPC.
I enjoyed FENECH-SOLER the last time I saw them live. With their second album Rituals out, they’re on fire tonight, presenting a high-energy live show to a rammed room. I’m surprised by how they have attracted such a large proportion of youngsters (and I mean young teens) to the show, and the venue is fast turning into a night-club as the set moves. Immediately getting the crowd’s hands in the air, singer Ben Duffy is determined to get the audience dancing and singing along right off the bat.
We seem to have gone from adult gig to teeny-bopper gig in the space of one changeover, and I’m feeling like I’m at an outdoor festival. At one point, I’m almost concerned that Ben is about to accidentally pogo himself off the stage. These guys have a lot of energy, and the stage doesn’t seem at all big enough to contain the Fenech-Soler foursome who are letting loose.
Storming through the long set, the band play many tracks off their new album, while older crowd-pleasers Lies and Demons are greeted with a suitably huge reception and singing-along. Magnetic is a beautiful new track, reflective of the distinctive Fenech-Soler dance-pop sound.
Though not a significant progression from the first album, Rituals is nevertheless a fun listen, and this is a band who will always guarantee an energetic live performance and appreciation for the fans. They head to the merch stand and are unsurprisingly mobbed.