The Scratch photo by Conor Beegan
Travelling down the M62 in 90 odd degree heat stuck in traffic as everyone has decided to play Manchester today from Olivia Dean, Yungblud to The Scratch. Going a bit earlier to make a day of it, walk the streets and try that Dave’s Hot chicken that everyone is raving about. The sun’s shining, the beer gardens are bustling and we are making our way through the streets towards the Academy. Guest passes in hand and through the door waiting for it all to begin. Tinnitus already begins before; a note is even played as the brain knows what’s to come.
Supports tonight is The Wran who take the traditionalist folk to a whole new level. An album on the horizon showing the hold they have on the music industry after just three singles. An immersive experience like being in a pub in Westport as the fiddle and bouzouki come out. ‘Some Say The Devil Is Dead’ takes you into the folklore of it all with sheer dread created through the instrumental. The harmonies are beautiful, delicate in nature but plays the harp on your heart strings. ‘Fear Dreag’ runs rampant like the myth would suggest. Mischievous guitars toss and turn through and with no vocals to hold it down allows it to explode and create a whirlwind, before an abrupt stop and an exit of the stage and The Scratch raring to go.
Straight in with the intensity, The Scratch kick off with ‘Pulling Teeth’ off their newest LP bashing it out like their life depends on it. Known for the raucous live show, The Scratch show they are heavy hitters when putting on a party. Repetitive yet inspiring ‘Seanchaí’ offers something different each verse. ‘Cheeky Bastard’ brings joyous mayhem to the venue; the crowd serenades the band skitting the local heroes with the line “He won’t stop singing Champagne Supernova.” No sounder advice is offered than in ‘Pull Your Jocks Up’ bangs on the Cajon drum, whilst screaming, “You are your own secret weapon.” A delicate moment is next as a cover of ‘Joxer goes to Stuttgart’ by Christy Moore leaves no dry eye in sight due to the story that accompanied it. ‘Blaggard’ closes out like being smashed by a car before the encore is about to start.
The encore throws it way back to ‘Old dog’ and still causes a ruckus through the crowd as waves of arms slush around. Lemmy might as well be on stage as the band slice through a cover of ‘Ace of Spades’ that still oozes venom all these years later. The swansong for the evening is ‘Another Round’ that perfectly captivates what life should be like Beer. Laughs. More beer. The night is over as soon as it begun and suddenly, I’m flying back down the M62 in 40 odd degree heat.
