Louder Than War are three words that have become synonymous with excellent music taste, and trusting that taste has seen me heading over to the University of Manchester student union building to catch the bands at the start of the day.
Opening proceedings are Yorkshire meets Japan husband and wife duo The Dirt, a shoegaze drone heavy guitar, riotous beat and spoken word style vocal mix which intoxicates from the offset. Their 30 minute set is heavy with messages, some being more prevalent now than at their time of creation. The songs span their catalogue and are delivered with such gusto frontman Jack has to pause (ever so briefly) to draw air. We are also treated to a new track which is definitely one to look out for. The room is packed and all are entertained.
Erotic Secrets of Pompeii were a new discovery, with their exotic blend of high brow vocals, sparkly outfits, the Bristol based art rock/post punk outfit blend pure theatrics with dirge music to create something familiar, yet entirely unique at the same time. One for the purest of hearts.
Loose Articles are a name known in these parts, you can quite often hear them when out and about. Today they have a slightly amended line up, but other no less entertainment value. Their songs are fun, and offer an antidote to a lot of the darkness thats permeating daily life. With songs about hating buses, a friend selling bitcoin they ooze confidence and frivolity. All topped off with a full crowd limbo, even the mums aren’t safe!
The Sick Man of Europe are without a doubt, the band to watch of the moment. Hailing from London, but we won’t hold that against them, their moody, invasive post punk speaks right to the soul, taking the listener deep into the darkness. With finely tuned feral cat energy from the frontman to the probing red light, they take you to somewhere between worlds. Their set list mostly comes from their debut self-titled LP, apart from one new track which can only be described as post punk disco. Ethereal vocals layer a motorik beat topped with pulsating guitars, everyone needs this band in their lives.
