Photo: Liv Kenny
Tonight Rebellion showcases a line-up with two of the newest Manchester underground offerings.
Melter are a North Irish but Manchester based trio who are slowly but surely carving their own path through the underground. They recently released single ‘Good Living’ and their inclusion on the bill tonight is a welcome sight. They offer a bouncy countenance driven from the back, tangled in craic that makes their set both interesting and entertaining. They manage to laugh their way through several technical glitches and are all the more endearing for their efforts. A solid set all round with plenty of intrigue to people coming back for more.
Barbarism formed in 2022 out of the ashes of a few projects which did not survive the pressures of the COVID plague. The band are driven by a desire to tackle social and political issues head on, with a lot of anger and a wry smile. They’ve burst on to the scene in 2023 including a headline show with Stockport legends The Hyena Kill, a run of small sold out Manchester shows and consistent fundraiser gigs for striking teachers, nurses, and train drivers. The message is the music, and barbarism seek to make art which motivates action and resistance.
Last week they released ‘Lords’ and their headliner tonight is a celebration of that. Their punchy set is high octane from the offset and doesn’t let up until the packed venue is dancing contentedly. They describe ‘Lords’ as an anti-landlords anthem, utilising a catchy pop sensibility with elements of post punk and alt rock. It’s a rallying cry to resist the lords of damp, mould, extortionate rents and evictions. Barbarism are a fresh face on the scene, one to watch and listen for.
