Heads Up Launch at The Ruby Lounge, Manchester.
Despite having lived in Manchester for five months now, this is the first small venue gig I have attended locally, but from my experience of playing small bars and venues around Cambridge, I had gathered a similarly drab presumption from what was an event organised by BIMM Manchester University. I thought my expectations had been made as soon as I greeted metal shutters, battered neon signs and the grumpy bulldog bouncers that gracefully invited me into The Ruby Lounge after having snatched the ‘student-friendly’ price of £5 from each of our wallets. Upon entry, however, my mood was brightened, not only by how the interior had upstaged any small music venue that I have ever attended but also by every sight and every sound of BIMM in the air. That’s right, the false leather BIMM bags and the floppy haired alt kids with checkered shirts were out to show this venue how to have a good time.
Charlotte Newman’s yet-to-be-titled band were the first to take to the stage. As soon as their presence was made, the crowd was drawn in, leaving the bar empty. Their sound can simply be described as middle-of-the-road; it doesn’t swing one way or the other, it didn’t offend but it didn’t inspire or excite the crowd, who could be heard talking over the music throughout. The songs mostly followed the acoustic intro into full-band recipe, and any kind of climax would be accomplished by merely throwing in a solo by the lead guitarist who, more often than not, performed with his back to the audience.
On next, with shrill guitars, strained vocals and something of The Smiths in them, the baggy-shirted Flood Manuel brought a melodic mess to the affair. The enlarged crowd bashfully responded with nodding heads and the occasional boogie yet with each indie throwdown, the cheers grew louder. The tall singer acknowledged that he was, “just pleased to have space above his head” onstage, but despite his apparent humbleness, he and the rest of the band were enthused and they seemed at ease chatting to the audience. They kept things interesting throughout the set, and whilst maintaining their own raucous flair, implemented a swung blues sound to their third track and alternated singers. With such a consistent, yet open style of play, there’s potential for a lot more progress for Flood Manuel.
After another 20-minute interval, Psyblings stumble onto the stage. “Are we awake yet?” asks the frontman, wearing baggy hippy threads that in my mind, resemble pyjamas. But the irony was lost as soon as the noise began, because if anyone was awake, it was them. Screams, screeches, and gum-cutting riffs that I can definitely get behind. This was actually a performance too, the singer (who was looking more and more like a hairier version of Animal from The Muppets) was roaming around the stage, dropping mics, spilling drinks and truly depicting what their band was about. Despite his excessive presence, he did not overshadow the other members such as the drummer who’s style can only be described as ‘slick’ and the bassist who, unlike most bassists, was actually having fun. This band could easily have been plucked straight out of Woodstock. However, with just a bit more cohesion in their songs and if they were to reel in the madness on the verses, I would happily stick Psyblings behind modern bands like Cage the Elephant.
And finally, the main event? Carl North? Nah. I understand the consideration of a blues band being a safe decision for a final act, but with the diversity demonstrated with the other acts, the ‘fun-for-all-the-family’ genre brought the entire mood down, they deserved the second slot. The crowd decreased and I was struggling to stick around. They sounded fine, but this band really reminded me that it was a BIMM gig, and that they weren’t a willingly merged group. The seemingly uncomfortable female vocalist could not be heard and it was only though rumour that I discovered there was a keys player tucked behind a speaker, and Carl North and his ego did not mind.
The entry and the drinks were far too expensive for a student night at a small music venue, and although I understand that it’s tough to keep a small venue going, even in Manchester; it’s also hard for the bands, and they weren’t paid a dime, college band or not. I respect the diverse choice of bands, however, and with reach to the further public and a knock on the prices, this night would hit my calendar every month. Photo credit to James Dickinson.