Manchester’s Night & Day Café plays host to Hull band The Black Delta Movement, who with a new line up and an album release imminent are one of Britain’s hotly tipped prospects for 2018.
First on the line up is a band who are only a few months old, the oddly named Blanketman are a four piece with a lot of charisma and personality, and seemingly quite a following as well if the bodies packed at the front of the stage are anything to go by. Their set is interesting and varied, channeling everything from California coast laid back vibes to the darker post punk tendencies commonly associated with the infamous Joy Division. They get stronger as their set goes on and by the last two songs they are really in their stride. Certainly one to watch with a lot of potential.
Mister Strange are another relative newcomer on the scene and channel heavy metal influences whilst infusing them with lighter Pink Floyd-esq psychedelic tones to create a heady mixture of noise. Their playing is passionate and the volume emanating from the stage forces everyone to take a step backwards. Another very interesting proposition to keep an eye on.
The Black Delta Movement have been on the scene for a number of years now, but a recent personnel change has reinvigorated the band and set them up for their LP launch in March. With influences ranging from Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Doors and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, they have always created tracks that appeal to a variety of listener and tonight’s set is no exception. Opening with ‘Rome’ and then ‘Southlands’ they quickly find their stride and settle in to producing some quality live music.
‘Medusa’ has a rolling guitar riff which wastes no time in marking its intent to lure and attract, with a hearty bass line that thrusts itself forward unashamedly. This is followed by ‘Seven Circles’, taken from 2016 EP of the same name. This track in particular benefits from the addition of the keys and has a probing sound that deeply penetrates the consciousness.
Pen ultimately the pacey and hypnotising ‘King Mosquito’ sees the bodies in the room moving, as it entrances before ‘No End’, which is their play on a number of tracks including The Doors ‘The End’ and The Black Angels ‘Don’t Play With Guns’ is the perfect way to finish and sees them leave the stage to rapturous applause. It’s clear the new line up has added a depth to their sound which you didn’t realise was missing, but now it’s their it could not be taken away.
