Debbie Friday photo by Mat Coffey
For Ingrid
Blood in your pee? Contact your GP practice.
NHS’s memento mori. Quick wee before the start of the gig. From Canada, Debby Friday opened the night accompanied by her DJ. As @IngridKern338 commented on Debby Friday’s 1/17 Youtube video: Catchy music, exuberant joyful singing, love those clouds rollin’ on by, and extremely cute outfit. (82-yr-old grandma from Scarborough ). Friday, as Ingrid commented, was certainly exuberant: from her outfit to her stage presence (she was making contact with some of the audience for long periods of time but some of us could not handle the weight of her gaze so we looked down like shy puppies).
Between acts, I see how all Friday’s equipment gets dismantled. I’m always interested in these moments of “in between” which is also a moment for free association: I didn’t listen to the albums enough times, why does it take you so much time to reply? I hope I can see you this weekend since I have seen you every weekend as you are always tired to meet up during the week we were going to meet up today but I fell asleep and I need to finish the article and I would like to know what is it that you think about us because I know but I can’t seem to find a chance to tell you because it always seems like you are escaping, I hope my feet don’t get wet tomorrow, I hope I feel hope as soon as I wake up since that’s how I usually feel if a day is going to be a good or a bad day and nonetheless I have crumpets for breakfast even though I feel sick of them and we are always looking for positives with my flatmate.
Spellling photo by Mat Coffey
Was it the first time that Spellling has come to Manchester? I wrote this question as a prompt to come back to it once I have attended the gig. This query was answered in the middle of the set by Chrystia Cabral, when she shared with her audience they played for the first time in the UK in Bristol a day before.
The set started with Keep it alive and Cabral’s energy igniting the Pink Room. I’m standing in front of Wiatt Overson (guitars) and I’m able to see what a protagonist role the electric guitar has taken in the last two Spellling records. The night continues with most songs from Portrait of my heart (2025): Waterfall, Destiny arrives, Mount Analogue. Magic act makes an introduction as the first track from The Turning Wheel followed by Cherry (SPELLLING & The Mystery School (2023) Version). Whilst everyone sings the choir of Portrait of my Hear Cabral, takes this couple of seconds to breathe and to continue with Satisfaction, Drain, Alibi and Ammunition (stylized “Ammo” in the set plate). I feel a bit hopeful that the band will play Sometimes but this does not happen, and we are back in their discography with Real Fun from Mazy Fly (2019). Boys at School is introduced and everyone seems to unconsciously recognize the intro.
Spellling photo by Mat Coffey
There’s a lot of warmth in Cabral on stage and out of the stage. Whilst I was waiting to my friend to arrive, I spotted Cabral sat next to my table eating a slice of pizza. One of her fans approached her and Cabral (full of pizza) said something I could only read as: give me a minute lovey as a finish munching this gift from the gods. Cabral stood up and hugged her fan. I looked back at my phone felt happy about what I just saw. I did not stay until Cabral appearance at the merch stall but I’m most certain she was as happy to be there as Michael Gira after a gig.
Spellling is Chrystia Cabral (vocals and synthesizers), Wiatt Overson (guitars), Giulio Cetto (Bass), Patrick Shelley (Drums) and Bella King (guitar and synthesizers).
As the gig ended, I went for a final wee downstairs, had a pint whilst my friend ate his pizza and walked home. On a terrace, next to Kim’s Kitchen, someone was playing the acoustic guitar at almost midnight. Long live Hulme.
For a full set of Mat Coffey’s SPELLLING photos go to his Instagram @der.fotoautomat
