Review // Eton Messy: All Night Long

Went raving in Ardwick and wrote the lead live review in Mixmag recently! You can also read the full, unedited version below!

The follow-the-trail excitement of secret locations are getting the country’s dancefloors buzzing on the regular and as Manchester plays host to a returning Eton Messy, the boxes seem to all be ticked for the herds of house devotees preparing to sweat it out.
 Trekking to an unfamiliar Ardwick, a stretch from the bustling students of Oxford Road with mouths spilling chit-chat, cider and who knows what else, it’s the youth connection across the online social world that propelled Eton Messy to touring artist status, sharing smoked-out house and future garage for this ‘deep’ cohort of new heads via YouTube. It’s this notion that makes me want to believe that Eton Messy can transport their brand into the live game, as with almost 80 million views and a plethora of original artists blossoming on their roster, the facts surely speak for themselves.
The boys are well into the mix when we take to the dancefloor, bringing the bass from label mainstay Bodhi, Ten Ven edits and Waze & Odyssey screamers in what is an undisputedly stern effort - sometimes even anthems can’t resurrect a mood.
 The swarms of ravers may well be gyrating and bouncing to no end but as we flitter through, many are visibly reeling after disappointments casting a gloomy cloud. From a birthday couple met with rude door staff who jack it all in for another club, to the exasperating inclusion of not-enough portaloos that add little to the “secret warehouse” vibe and rather just feel like an inconvenience - paying a couple of quid for a glass of rolla cola blatantly poured out of a corner shop bottle, also adds insult to injury.
 As lazers bleach out the concrete cavern in swathes of red, green and blue with the pairing’s extended live lazer show, corkers booming off the decibel scale, it finally feels akin to the fully immersive experience that clubbing can be. Yet when the chips are down, it doesn’t feel like the Saturday night, on-a-level spectacle we hoped for, thanks to a setting that seems a whole lot better in theory than in practice.

Words & Images by Yours Truly X

Review // Chibuku 15th Birthday

I went and danced all day at Chibuku's15th Birthday in Liverpool for this month's Mixmag! It included a stellar line-up with Ben UFO, Four Tet, George Fitzgerald, Jackmaster, Joy Orbison, Annie Mac and more. I'll add the full text at a later date but for now, go out and buy the issue!

Words & Images by Yours Truly X

Review // Theo Parrish @ The Ritz

My first post in an age, I'm sorry! In between all the madness that is currently my life, I was lucky enough to catch Theo Parrish's live show in Manchester, a fortnight ago, with my review up now on the award-winning 405's website. Isn't that nice? Click here to read, or scroll down for the unedited version... 

Review // Theo Parrish @ The Ritz

Following an exclusive album playback of his anticipated release ‘American Intelligence’, Detroit luminaire Theo Parrish, proves the only way to better a jazz-laden dish of electronic indulgence, is when a prestigious squad joins their selector. Oh and a decent back catalogue helps, of course. A favoured face on the club scene, Theo’s first first live shows in a decade led to a mass turnout at Manchester’s Ritz, a high-energy crowd readied for the transition of projects- usually sacred to the studio or club- in an immersive, hypnotic live experience. 

As dancers bound out onto the stage; brass, keys, guitars encasing them, the energy levels soar as a funk led introduction, effortlessly sets the tone. Sporting the furthest thing from uniform, including a bucket hat in one case, the performers taking centre stage dazzle with their moves and solos, ‘Walking Thru The Sky’s acid-jazz, fluently layering in. Vocalist Ideeya’s notes project far and wide, gleaming and demanding attention, before drum snaps crack in, each member of the troupe indisputably given to the beat. 

As personally a huge fan of Theo’s Sound Signature productions, when favourites like ‘Chemistry’ are performed well-seasoned, with synths full of body and sticky sweet croons, deviating away from the electronic-led original to a jazz jumped adaptation, is anything but sour and a welcome variation. Of course there are more prominent keys and a digital basis with the likes of ‘Control’, but taking a route more smooth, more brooding, makes it less explicitly sexy than the accompanying fan videos of the track found on YouTube, and allows itself air to breathe, the odd improvisational flurry maintaining a specifically rich tone, rather than something more rigid. 

With a blistering drum solo ahead of ‘Solitary Flight’ and formidable popping and locking to ‘Going Through Changes’, it’s easy to understand why London’s seated Barbican venue was chosen to house the same performance on this mini UK tour, with so much to also visually stimulate, the whole thing omitting an essence of a relaxed and comfortable- but excellent- enactment. This years Pièce de résistance ‘Footwork’, proves itself a worthy inclusion alongside his extensively impressive inventory, hi-hats shimmying in and then, that bass! Oh so unforgiving, oh so infectious. 

A superbly well executed live show doesn’t mean that Theo is hanging up his headphones any time soon, and as disciples to the House of Parrish, you’d forget it was his name atop the posters emblazoned across the building out front, each performer, musician and dancer, bold in their duties. Just don’t leave us waiting another decade, to sample the silky-soul setting of such an astonishing live show, and judging by the strong-hold applause and hollering as everyone erupted out onto the streets come 11pm, It's a unanimous contemplation that leaves me believing I'm not the only one...

Words by Yours Truly X

Review // Evian Christ's 'Trance Party' @ Corsica Studios

Last weekend I ventured off to London to catch Evian Christ tear up Corsica Studios for his introductory 'Trance Party'. It was sweaty, fun and there were new faces and old- my review is now live over here on Crack, or you can read the unedited version below...

Evian Christ's 'Trance Party' @ Corsica Studios

London, you never fail to stump me with the unexpected. As a Northern soul in the Big Smoke, I am often pooled in with the relentless incursion of tourists when asking for tube directions, not to mention encompassing a Scouse born-and-bread twang that makes any Cockney I come into contact with recoil in uncommunicative horror, just like I do when it comes to forking out a fiver a pint. Still, there is always a dusting of hidden beacons that summon us in exactly why we put up with the ridiculous congestion and annoyingly quaint wine bars on every corner, from time to time- and South East’s Corsica Studios is one of these glimmers of hope. Hot from lacing Mr. West’s ‘Yeezus’ with his ingenious expertise, Ellesmere-Port-boy-done-good Evian Christ enrolled in the likes of Jam City, Wanda Group and Arca to throw the first in his duo of ‘Trance Parties’, promising to detract away from the genre and coiling it all back to what ‘trance’ actually means.

After several hiccups involving group members falling off the wagon and step-in heroes missioning from the eternity-away zone four, no unforeseen obstacles could cast a cloud once inside the remarkably well-equipped venue.  With a roaring sound system that makes your bones shake as if you’re rolling down a hill implanted within the acoustics, the night’s curator bounced from his earlier status-cementing, hip-hop modified electronica, over to the snarling expletives of ‘I’m In It’ and teases of what we’re to expect for 2014. As hot-off-the-press ‘Salt Carousel’ was released into the web sphere only a day prior, it’s mind-boggling to contemplate the heights he actually has the ability to rocket to. The brutal bass, hyper-speed recitals and unforgiving rave synth slashes that echo as melodically accessible and ballsy, are not only insightful of where Christ is heading but also of the leap he’s made from indie-label bedroom experimentalist to, deservedly, globally-appreciated producer.

As the night plummeted further into the wee hours, developments from alternative guests only crept to more bizarre and delightful ranks. Take Brooklyn’s Alejandro Ghersi, or Arca as his haunting but crazily danceable mononym plays out, of as we enter through various curtains and almost sacrifice shoes to catch a glimpse of, thrives off the dance-floor frenzy he’s fashioned, spinning and gyrating behind the decks just as the hundreds of youngsters surveilling are. Then steps-up Night Slugs eccentric Jam City, following the fabulous care-free ethos that a guilty pleasure shouldn’t be guilty. Streamlining antagonistically throbbing techno with tropical edits of Drake’s ‘Started From The Bottom’ and Ne-Yo’s ‘Sexy Love’, the too-cool-for-school-boys find themselves slinking for the nearest lady that catches their eye and the gaggling drunk girls can’t help but swoon like it’s 2006 all over again. Oh, and any artist that manages to admirably insert ‘How Soon Is Now’ into what is dubbed a trance event causing admirable uproar, is an honourable revelation in our book.

Words by Yours Truly X

Review // Curated by Julio Bashmore @ WHP

Last weekend I had a Factory reunion of sorts when Artrocker sent me off to review Julio Bashmore's curated night at Warehouse. Cassius were ludicrously good, Tiraquon bought the 80s vibes and Bashmore, well, read it over here or below to see for yourselves...

Curated by Julio Bashmore @ WHP

As a reoccurring invitation to the individuals and groups that ignite movers and shakers, the coordinators behind Warehouse Project invite a range of music makers to take the reins in curating line-ups themselves, annually. Spanning rockers such as Bloc Party and The Kills, over to new generation blood such as Disclosure or Teed and- on this occasion- Broardwalk boss Julio Bashmore, WHP aren't afraid to shake it up, nor go with the flow when necessary. With a combination of internationally respected and cemented UK producers, along with a gargantuan headline set from Julio himself, these curated nights are undoubtedly where you’ll find the most diverse melting pots. 

One of our favourite galactic-funksters, Space Dimension Controller, was first on the horizon to fill up the dance floor in room two. Despite the fact that we couldn't help but constantly wonder why SDC had been booked to DJ rather than partake in a live set of his own intergalactic workings, he still managed to bring the care-free attitude and evocativeness of past decades to the ever-accumulating, if slightly bedazzled, ravers. Batting out 80s classics including Midnight Star’s ‘Midas Touch’ beside Colonel Abrams offbeat release ‘Trapped’, anthem after anthem whether instantly recognisable or not, ensured that everybody in sight fell victim to the groove… and it hadn't even struck ten o’clock yet. 

 As we weaved through each room eager to catch a deluge of sets, it was indisputable that each person booked behind the decks here tonight was restless in not just playing out what would simply be probable within a conventional club night, as experimentation is welcomed and applauded in a location that branches out from conformity. 

Take Motor City Drum Ensemble on initiating a wave of house for the night, thanks to Norma Jean Bell’s sassy ‘I’m The Baddest Bitch ’, whereas Breach dipped his toe into modern waters, manipulating Midland’s ‘Trace’ into a deep and stabbing vibration to fast forward the momentum. As our expectations were already now ever ascending thanks to a marvelous introduction, the crown and glory for the night unquestionably belonged to French originators Cassius. Blending in a fusion of their unconditional prototypes including the infectious ‘Feeling For You’, together with an amazing input of Green Velvet’s ‘Bigger Than Prince’, it is apparent that a superior act is that for a reason- it’s just a shame that what goes up must come down.

 In light of Bashmore’s earlier Boiler Room session remaining outrageously over-crowded throughout, we opted for the main man under the spotlight’s early morning set, to really see if there was more to the media than just a ‘Summer hit turned football chant’. As far as his personal productions go, the only noticeably enthusiastic reception was evident for- you guessed it- ‘Au Seve’ and it was easily blatant that, despite his observable production talents, as a live artist Julio is dissatisfying on a number of levels. Over-running tracks long after their surges peak and the audience has lost interest, as well as noticeably poor mixing, even Joy O’s ‘BRTHDTT’ panned across the room as if it fell on deaf ears and Lil Louis Chicago classic ‘I’m hot for you’, echoed overhead an array of confused faces. With all the factors for triumph at hand without prosperous execution, tonight Bashmore delivers to be tarred as incapable of executing his work, at a rank of which many of his peers surpass at leaving nothing but a bitter taste in our mouths…

Words by Yours Truly / Images by WHP (via here) X

Review // Arctic Monkeys @ Phones 4 U Arena

The lovely people at Domino sent me to watch Arctic Monkeys on their AM tour last week, I'm obviously biased and almost cried three times but in all seriousness, my boys have still got it. My review is now live on Artrocker here or you can cop a sense of the amazing show below!
Arctic Monkeys @ Phones 4 U Arena

The re-branding of Manchester arena’s usually canary-yellow exterior, transitioning over to project immense logos’ of a certain mobile phone company famous for it’s hand-signalling jingle, was always going to be a strange sight to get used to- yet, this is corporate branding and advertising at it’s peak and what else did you expect? Look around, simple cotton t-shirts hitting the twenty-five pounds mark (And that’s from just tonight’s opening act The Strypes…) and if you’re after a pint during one of the gig’s intervals, you better be prepared to que for half an hour, hand over that crisp fiver and not expect a shrapnel of change back. If only the old Sheffield boys could see themselves now…
Entering the venue though the city’s Victoria Railway station, as thousands upon thousands of individuals pool in and enlist themselves into the nearest snaking que, there isn’t just the usual sleek femme fatales and bowl-cut boys polishing off their mac coats for the occasion, as we spy. Amongst the plethoral swarm lies families with children in attendance that look as if they were actually born post- ‘Whatever People Say I Am…’, along with the expected congregation of leather-clad fashionistas and the odd Dad on hand to chaperone, hopefully leaving their unappreciated dancing at the door. Even before we’ve taken to our seats, there is no denying precisely how much Arctic Monkeys have blossomed and adapted, in a formative seven years since their debut release.
With three-quarters of the quartet gracing the stage suited and booted (It’s ok Matt, we imagine it’s quite the challenge drumming in a double-breasted number…), quad screen set-ups with individual portraits of each member horizontally span, accompanying a swaggering, brooding and bold introduction of ‘Do I Wanna Know?’. Before the astronomical audience, phones in the air bouncing to every beat get straight into ‘AM’ mode, renditions of ‘Brianstorm’ and ‘Dancing Shoes’ really do deliver as electric and strikingly rolling, as they did upon their first listens of yesteryear. ‘Don’t Sit Down Cos I’ve Moved Your Chair’ urges the audience to coo a range of ‘Oooh’s and ‘Yeah’s, whilst Alex Turner cheekily sculpts his greased-up quiff initiating the Macarena, whilst Helder’s lightening beats blister out from behind his 0114 duct-taped kick-drum. See that’s the thing about these ‘Monkeys’, they may have been arena-worthy for what feels like a lifetime now, yet they never have yet forgotten to bring their personality to the forefront, with Turner’s light cockiness sometimes being construed for arrogance, but does it really matter when they write, perform and interact better than ever before?
Latest single ‘One For The Road’ is elevated with a whole new stronghold of elegance and croon-ready slickness, even if that is a noticeable American twang we can hear sneaking on through- and as one spectator in front of us exclaimed “This is better than seeing John Lennon on ice!”, we really couldn’t agree any more. As ear-splitting encore roars present themselves, the bulb-dotted sky-scraper initials that tower over illuminate, to welcome in a shoo-wopping rendition of ‘Snap Out Of It’ and a semi-acoustic interpretation of ‘Cornerstone’, cheekily altered by ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ come its execution. As metallic ticker tape rains all over the mammoth venue, our favourite Yorkshire boys we realise, have really only just hit their peak. Listeners’ of the Arctic’s music cannot simply request their indie classics over and over again and by managing to expand, flourish and experiment whilst never straying too far from their formula that works, it is an exciting sight to behold as they strike record number five off their lists with pride.

Words by Yours Truly X

Fucked Up @ Sound Control

How are you all even surviving in this weather?! I'm paler than Casper the friendly Ghost and have spent waaay too long out BBQ'ing in Fallowfield and parading around Piccadilly, someone pass the factor fifty, sharpish! Last week, I took my little Beaky along to watch Titus Andronicus, Metz and Fucked Up all on the same bill for Noisey's Manchester stint. It was sweaty, painful and GREAT- I have some shots and accompanying words up on Noisey over here!

Words and Image by Yours Truly X

Review // How To Dress Well @ Whitworth Art Gallery

Bonjour! I'm finally out of exam hell- GOODBYE SECOND YEAR- you were a blast! I celebrated by doing shots with Ryan Giggs in Liars Bar (Who do I think I am?!) and taking my lovely little BK to finally catch How To Dress Well live after I gave Total Loss a 9/10 last year, remember? It was mesmerising, breath-taking and I cried three times; talk about beautiful! I reviewed the gig over here for Crack Mag- give it a little read if you fancy! Also, I have a very ~special~ interview coming up this week and then I'm off to cover Field Day for the Artrocker camp, see you on the other side! May, you the best...

Words by Yours Truly X

Review // Theme Park @ Ruby Lounge

Aloha! Last weekend I went and caught Theme Park on their debut UK headline tour over at Ruby Lounge. It's a critical one you can read over here at Crack Magazine. Also, I have no Artrocker Column this week- It's been pushed back in order to accommodate for upcoming festival antics- keep your eyes peeled!

Words by Yours Truly X

Review // PEACE @Soup Kitchen

Peace have had a flourishing 2012, the facts say it clearly; what with signing to Columbia Records, forcing said label to purchase them a billboard in their home city and the release of their luxurious 'Delicous' EP, it was superb to finally catch them live and reunite with old colleagues at their sold-out Soup Kitchen gig. We ventured to Chinatown with the boys and their chums afterwards for awkward Karaoke resulting in Bonnie and I asking if we could sing Mario (the owners said no :( ) and gins all round. My review is live here - and remember guys #freeterry...

Words by Yours Truly X

Features // Now Wave & Tribes

 I had the best Saturday dancing to Baby Don't Sweat and drinking B-52's in the sunshine with some total babes followed by a fantastic afterparty at MOHO where Ross winked at me (FANGIRL) and they played Weezer and Bikini Kill. Oh and I'm pretty sure I danced on a sofa at one point to Good Charlotte (Don't ask...), still I'm such an idiot I managed to lose my brand new fancy phone that I've had for all of THREE DAYS, whatever, worse things have happened I suppose. In other news, I leave the city in a month for Summer :( so here is an article I wrote about the fantastic dudes of Manchester's Now Wave, they are the absolute best promoters I've ever come across, putting gigs on in disused bunkers, converted mills and even The Ritz when they're feeling glitzy, so check it out and treat yourselves to some tickets (or just sell me a Japandroids one...no, seriously...)!

Also, my Tribes review is now up here on Hive, I had to leave out the post-gig details about doing rounds of Jamesons and climbing on Dan's back within ten minutes of meeting them, its all fun and games! I'm going to beat the Monday blues by doing lunch at Soup Kitchen and then watching the MCFC parade, enjoy your post-weekend epiphanies! X
Words by yours truly / Image c/o Now Wave