Wolf Parade

The Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 28/11/08

It's been three years since the release of 'Queen Mary' so the new Wolf Parade album was eagerly awaited. Along with the chance to see them live. They didn't announce many dates but this one at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester was one of them.
I've only been to the RB on a couple of occasions but quite like it even if they do have one of those metal barrier thing's. There was a decent queue waiting when I arrived as the show was sold out. Some people were not aware of this and didn't have tickets. In retrospect they could have probably sold out the Academy.
I took up my usual position Corins side front right of the stage with my pint of the black Irish stuff. The support was from a Scandinavian/American three piece band called 'Dag for Dag'. They were ok and the lead singer/guitarist was an interesting young lady who wore a silver headband and leggings. They were intriguing enough for me to buy their EP later.
Wolf Parade came on and opened with the lead track off 'Queen Mary', 'You are a runner and I am my fathers son'. They are very key driven and singer/keyboardist Spencer Krug sets up front center of the stage. He also balances himself on his stool using his knee. It was pretty packed up front so I had to put my drink on the speaker to my right and a kind young man kept handing it to me every now and then so I could have a swig. I had actually let his girlfriend slip in to the front so he was paying me back.
Wolf Parade ran through all of the best stuff off their two albums and were excellent doing so. I think they were a bit overwhelmed to have such a packed venue and an attentive audience. Most songs were sung along too by the people in the first couple of rows.

A really enjoyable night and great to see such a band that only come round once in three/four years.

White Denim

The Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 23/11/08.

Another of the upcoming bands of the year. A three piece young Texan band with a fairly eclectic sound labeled as 'new grunge'.

I've only ever been to the Ruby Lounge once before, to see V V C as it happens. Decent little venue as I remember. The support was from a band who I've heard of and have penciled in to keep an eye on. 'Six Nation State' I enjoyed them and they have been getting some good reviews throughout the year. A five piece from London they played with a great gusto and attitude.

White Denim came on and set up with the drummer up front center stage and the bass player to his right and guitarist on the left. They set up to play at each other too which is something I always like.

Whether I'm getting old or not I dont know, but the bass player only looked about 12. The guitarist, who made most of their sound used several effects, was an excellent player. He had a real geeky way of playing too and quite archetypal rock starish by mimicking the sounds with his mouth as he played. The drummer too played a lot at the guitarist and at times played songs stood up.

They played most of their album, but also in the middle of the set played two new songs which sounded very good. By all accounts they more or less have a second record in the bag. A very good live band full of energy and excellent musicanship.

Fleet Foxes

Manchester Academy 2, 9/11/08.

Probably the band of the year like Midlake a couple of years ago the breakthrough act. I had seen them earlier in the year at the Roadhouse before they had really been taken notice of. They have upgraded venue to the Academy which made sense.

The Roadhouse gig seemed very intimate with Robin the lead singer sat down on a stool and the whole band relaxed. The support here was from Josh Tilman, Fleet Foxes drummer as it happens. He was very good and entertaining just straightforward acoustic folk stuff but good.

Fleet Foxes came on but this time Robin stood center stage no stool in sight. They started off brightly and again were superb in the deliverance of their songs. Though this time for some reason I didn't seem to enjoy them as much. There was

something missing the wasn't the onstage banter as much and I think they seemed a bit more serious about their work. Robin did his two songs solo as last time. I can't fault their performance or delivery but to me this gig was not as enjoyable as the Roadhouse show. Still a great band though.

Ladyfest Manchester

Zion Arts Center, Manchester, 8/11/08.

Though Ladyfest was spread over three nights I could really only make the Sat night. Unfortunately too even though VVC were playing the Sunday with the Slits I had already booked a ticket to see Fleet Foxes at the Academy. The Sat night had an interesting line up though with Penny Broadhurst Miss the Occupier and Shrag as the main highlights. Penny Broadhurst was playing when we arrived though entertaining her sound was poor and her vocal not very clear. Miss the Occupier (pictured) were next and the highlight of the night in my opinion. A three piece Scottish band good jangly punk style well delivered. Id seen Shrag before as they're good friends with VVC and wasn't that enamoured with them in truth. Here though despite some technical hitches they were very good and I enjoyed them, they came over much more vibrant and coherent.

Port O'Brien

Night & Day, Manchester, 23/10/08.

First saw this lot last year as the support to Modest Mouse in Liverpool. Liked them so imported their album. A Californian folky/rock band who have a sea shanty feel to some of their stuff.
I missed the name of the support band who were a jaunty four piece guitar band from Liverpool. Ok but heard it all before really.

PO beef up their sound quite a bit live from their recorded sound. Lead singer Van is a really good energetic performer. After a couple of songs he mentioned that they had played Sheffield the

night before and had their van broken into and a load of stuff pinched, fortunately nothing too valuable like instruments or money. He proclaimed Manchester a much nicer and friendly place.

They played a really good set finishing on their most popular song one that Radio 6 music has been playing alot recently "I woke up today". For this the band handed out some old pots and pans for people to bang along to for the chorus, neat.

VVC

The Rampant Lion, Manchester, 4/10/08.

Having got back from France we decided to go and catch up with the girls in Manchester. They were playing a pub called the Rampant Lion that I didn't know but after some time consuming 'getting lostness' in pouring rain we found it. Met up with Jenny,Sian and Julia and I introduced Karen to them. We had a chat while they were putting their set list together. Running order was put together by Karen and I too. The girls played a quick set and thanked us for helping with the set list. On a sad note before the gig someone had stood on Jens guitar and snapped the neck. Jen was pretty upset and angry but played with a borrowed one to her credit.

France - Bordeaux 10/08

Magnet School

Sound Movement (not) / Magnet School, Korova, Liverpool, 25/9/08.

This was the first day of my holiday and I was spending the night in Liverpool to catch up with Andrew, Kat and Graham of the Sound Movement. At the venue was a notice saying that SM had to cancel, bugger!!

So the support band called Magnet School played for a free entry. As usual not too many people about and as they were setting up I noticed a guy taking and testing a video camera. I thought to myself I know you from somewhere. Next thing he comes up to me and I recognise him as Graham the Sound Movement drummer. He tells me Andrew had been badly beaten on the London Underground the night before. Thus preventing him from travelling for the the gig. We had a good chat and he introduced us to the people from Magnet School.

As for the gig itself MS were ok, quite loud with a Sonic Youth/Pavement influence but ok as a support band. At least we got to a band though.

Bon Iver

Manchester Academy 2 15/9/08.


The album "For Emma for ever" came out of nowhere and is one of the surprises of the year. It's guaranteed to make every top ten list of the year. Ill admit I was a little disappointed at first but after a few plays I "got" it and now love the album to bits.

For the life of me I can't remember the name of the support act here. She was a sweet little thing who played acoustic guitar and sang and had the back up of a guy on bongos/drums. Self penned folky ditty's she was very entertaining, though a little tentative at first.

Bon Iver as the album sounds and suggests is a guy with an acoustic guitar, in fact it's a full band. The main focus is Justin the main guitarist and singer. Most of the set was alot rockier and a much fuller sound than the album which took me by surprise a little bit. To my recollection all the album was played as Justin stated they had no more material. Though they did play a Graham Nash cover, title of which I can't remember now.

It has to said Justin is an excellent guitarist and his band very good musicians. They made the album material sound much richer as a full band in all making it a very pleasant experience.