When my Editor invited me to this event and stated that I’m in for a good night filled with original punk rock bands, they were not wrong!
This gig couldn’t have been more perfect for my own comeback in reviewing, since moving into the outer skirts of Manchester I crave going back to the city.
Driving through Ancoats, which was once a not so sought after place, I couldn’t help but think Manchester has changed. I’m not saying I’ve been out of the centre for decades but I’m no longer there every day. It seems every month I go back to visit there are so many new sky liners and building, it’s not an unrecognisable city but it has changed.
Saying this as I make my first turn into the city, the Crown and Kettle is buzzing with guests sitting outside, The Frog and Bucket opposite has a queue and these two places alone make me homesick.
Therefore, as I sit in The Apollo, a Manchester institution however now with a makeover from O2, I am welcomed by the sound of Buzzcocks.
What a treat. An iconic band which formed the Manchester music scene. We could say the original music scene as they are classed as one of the top 10 Manchester bands of all time. When we hear the likes of Oasis and Everything Everything, they no doubt have been influenced by Buzzcocks, the band members would have if not consciously but subconsciously taken in the sounds, lyrics and melodies as they grew up surrounded by the music scene in clubs and underground markets.
The first song hits and I’m instantly transported back to the likes of 42nd street, Factory, The Garrett and 100% 5th Ave!
If I was feeling the nostalgia during my drive into town, I was fully seated in the nostalgia now.
I need to mention, and it is something glaringly obvious when we watch Buzzcocks, that it is a bit of history in motion. Steve Diggle is in his 70’s and the way he owned the stage could outshine 90% of the current up and comers. His stage presence and voice were so full of energy. The real test is always when mistakes happen. In this case his guitar broke, and the stage crew scrambled to fix it, replace it and come up with a new strategy. We were seconds away from the vibe crashing around us, which can be catastrophic for a support act whose main role is to hype a crowd. This mishap took place during one of the last songs. Diggle expertly kept composure and went a cappella, addressing the audience and seamlessly keeping the act flowing. This can only be done by a true professional and he has his band looping music around him to ensure the song goes on.
The crowd is currently geared up, and it doesn’t take long for The Stranglers to take centre stage after a quick set up.
We are seated in the Circle area, and we can see the crowd below absolutely taken in by the acoustics, the eerie sounds that are oh so familiar to the fans. The crowd didn’t stay this way the whole night, in fact at some points there are mosh pits! I am impressed; Manchester still knows how to have a good time.
The production from sound to light are incredible. If you’ve ever been to the Apollo you may have noticed one isolated disco ball above the stage. I don’t know why but I always notice it, it’s been there for years, I’d say the beginning, but I don’t know how to fact check this. However, tonight is the first time I’ve really noticed it. Does that make sense? It’s as if the production team used it to their advantage like no previous team have. And if you don’t know where I’m going with this, it’s because I’m leading you to their most popular track Golden Brown. The full arena had been turned …well…golden brown. The lonely disco ball was sparkling, bouncing gold like glitter onto the audiences faces. It was perfect. To see this live is something truly special, very few acts can pull off this type of atmospheric beauty.
The Stranglers play a full set, starting with Goodbye Toulouse and ending with No More Heroes. The standout songs for me were Peaches and Something Better Change. Something Better Change feels like it creates a movement in the crowd downstairs, these moments are what gives gigs like this one its backbone. The Stranglers perform to all melodies, creating an almost movie like experience, in fact I turned to my sister at the end and stated that I felt as though I had been in a sound bath for the whole time. Immersed in the experiences the band felt throughout the years, I was out of my own head and that rarely happens. Every song has meaning, every song is performed with passion and every song insights feeling to all who watch.
I’ll take a moment now to mention a couple of gig goers who me and my sister refer to as Chaz and Dave. We met these two guys at the entrance, they happened to be Baz’s old pals! They take their seats behind us in the arena, and we met them after to discuss the performance. It felt like they had the same experience we had, they also mention the lights, so the light guy needs a shout out! This confirms my findings that the gig is a show not to be missed.
At present there is a constant debate whether phones should be used at gigs, this crowd were so polite with their phone usage, most people only took their phones out to take photos or record videos for only a few moments of a song, then putting it away. This brought back more old school feelings, one where everyone is in the moment, no glaring screens and confirms the apotheoses that we are all present and with The Stranglers at every beat.
“See you in the next 51 years” is their sign off and we will.
Studying BA (Hons) Design Futures at The University Of Salford hoping to move onto an MA in Social Media. In love with Manchester's music scene, i will never move!Best Gig - Massive Attack @ The Big Chill Festival 2010Best Album - Damien Rice 'O'Guilty Pleasure - B52's 'Love Shack' (Don't judge)
