The return of Neighbourhood festival can only mean one thing…a day spent legging it from venue to venue, running around the streets of Manchester sampling some of the best new music from the north west and beyond.
Red Rum Club: Shot by Lia Dragoiu / @liadragoiu.media
Our day began with a string of local North-West noisemakers who have been exciting us a lot this year with their new releases. Firstly, Aimee and the Parade cast us under a hypnotic spell with a majestic performance with a stylised, slightly gothic allure.
Aimee and the Parade: Shot by Lia Dragoiu / @liadragoiu.media
Then Vincent’s Last Summer continued the stylised theme, taking us back to 2008 with their angsty Indie Rock time machine. This was one of our favourite performances of the day, combining nostalgic teenage charm with a quirky, Punk-tinged Art school expression.
Vincent's Last Summer: Shot by Lia Dragoiu / @liadragoiu.media
Chloe Slater rounded off our early trio of local acts, proving to a packed out Gorilla why she is one of the most hotly talked about acts in the emerging Indie scene. Her blend of socially astute lyricism, frustrated sonic angst and melodic pop finesse combines the very best elements from Courtney Barnett, Wolf Alice and Wet Leg.
Chloe Slater: Shot by Lia Dragoiu / @liadragoiu.media
We were then treated to anthemic performances from two indie giants, The Royston Club and Red Rum Club. Both delivered sets packed with an energy that kickstarted the nighttime party atmosphere and got their crowds bouncing, filled with anticipation for the festival ahead. Red Rum’s performative grandeur was also bolstered by the setting of the Royal Albert Hall. As the fading sun shone through the stain glass panels, we couldn’t help but reflect on what an asset the venue is to both the festival and Manchester as a whole.
Red Rum Club: Shot by Lia Dragoiu / @liadragoiu.media
Chappaqua Wrestling took us back to Gorilla for perhaps the sweatiest set of the night, creating a raucous energy to get the floors sharking. We then traipsed into the Bread Shed to see FEET, one of our highlights of the festival. Although their new album may not carry as many distinctive chorus’s as their cult favourite debut, it still harbours the distinctive spirit of the band that poured out in the live setting. Each word was spat out with a characterful twang and each rhythm bubbled with their energetic personality. As we danced underneath the gorgeous glitter ball we were hit with an overwhelming joy knowing that FEET are still at their best!
Chappaqua Wrestling: Shot by Lia Dragoiu / @liadragoiu.media
Crowds then started spilling out of venues left right and centre as everyone began to make way for the festival headliners. Antony Szmierek has been one of our favourite acts of the year and is undoubtedly one of Manchester’s most talented newcomers, yet we couldn’t miss the gloomy anthemia of Pale Waves.
Pale Waves: Shot by Lia Dragoiu / @liadragoiu.media
As they strutted across a stage bejewelled with sparkling chandeliers and velvet drapes, they proved why they are worthy of a festival headline. Whether it was the raw power of Pale Waves classics or the catchy Alt Pop singalongs of new tracks like ‘Not A Love Song’ every song was met with a chorus of adoring fans screaming at the top of their longs.
Pale Waves: Shot by Lia Dragoiu / @liadragoiu.media
An appropriately dramatic end to another fantastic NBHD festival! Come to see some of the UK’s biggest new artists and leave having discovered your favourite new band, your favourite new venue and your favourite new pub!
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