Tucked away from the bitingly cold streets and playing host to the sun-soaked sounds of MOLOTOV JUKEBOX, Manchester Club Academy promised to offer respite from the bleak winter descending outside. And with a packed 4-band line-up, it was a promise that had every chance of being kept.
First up on the bill, solo singer-songwriter KIM JENNETT started proceedings. After incorporating the decidedly left-field song choice of The Cranberries’ classic “Zombie,” and exhibiting a powerful, full-throated voice that belied her diminutive stature, the young singer indicated that she could prove to be a very interesting prospect indeed.
Things took a turn into heavier territory with the arrival of THE ROUGHNECK RIOT, another Warrington band who would have all the usual trappings of a punk-rock group, were it not for the hugely welcome presence of a banjo, accordion and mandolin in their set up. This resulted in some marvellous genre-hopping, often mid-song, as wall-of-sound choruses gave way to a jaunty country ditty. I claim the term ‘country-punk’ for my own.
Following this bombast, the night settles down markedly for London-based NIMMO AND THE GAUNTLETTS, though with the wonderful art-rock sounds that emerged from the stage during their set, this was anything but unwelcome. Armed with multi-instrumentalists at every turn, the music demonstrated their willingness to avoid repetition and staid-sounding guitar indie, while somehow keeping a certain character that was unmistakeably theirs. This was enforced brilliantly by the track “Home,” a piano-led track, incorporating a haunting violin that provided an emotive backdrop to the plaintive vocals.
Before too long, it was time for the main event. As both anticipation and crowd numbers rose, there was a palpable sense of curiosity concerning just what self-styled gyp-step collective Molotov Jukebox would bring to Manchester.
Headed by the effervescent ball of energy that is Natalia Tena, the six-piece walked onstage to a rapturous reception. Starting with the utterly infectious and relentlessly upbeat “I Need It,” the audience were immediately in Molotov’s thrall. The enthusiasm emanating from the crowd was overwhelming, and only grew as the set pressed on at breakneck pace. The repeated urges from Tena & co to dance were barely necessary as the crowd heeded the call emphatically. A storming rendition of “Give it a Go” followed, complete with a fantastic, idiot grin-inducing Mario Bros. interlude, and the atmosphere was well and truly set.
“Goose! Lager! Tinsel! Santa! Potatoes!”
It took a cheeky game of Christmas word association preluding brilliant single “Laid to Rest” to remind us that it wasn’t summer any more – a fact that had been so easily forgotten up to this point, so complete was the transformation of the atmosphere inside this venue.
Throughout the night, the six-piece played with a verve and tightness that not only mirrored the recorded versions of their songs, but actually exceeded them in terms of sheer exuberance. This was particularly evident in the fantastic “Don’t Panic” and Double Dare EP track “Sex Foot,” the latter showcasing the sheer versatility of Natalia Tena’s vocals, which ranged from a slinky purr with sultry undertones to singing in Spanish, and even including the odd rap.
Following a hugely well-received finale and encore, any lingering sense of inhibition or scepticism in this room had well and truly dissipated. It is apparent that this is a band built around the collective passions of its members – ultimately, it was this fact that ensured that the crowd kept dancing, and that by the end of this bewilderingly varied gig every face leaving the venue sported a huge smile. Gyp-step truly stormed into Manchester, and if this gig is anything to go by, it’s welcome back any time.