Live Review
BBC Manchester Introducing Live
PINS / The Watchmakers / Kill For Company
Ruby Lounge, Manchester
February 28 2014
Words/Photos: Leanne Crowley
The monthly show set up by BBC Radio Manchester to showcase the finest up-and-coming bands, is back tonight and with this line-up, it's sure to be massive.
First up is Kill For Company, an alternative lo-fi duo. Michael Banfield offers vocals and a unique hybrid of guitar and bass which he created himself. Mark O'Donoughue on drums adds the only other element to their music. The band rattle through a number of their more popular tracks, including the euphoric ‘Alternative For Living' which is the title track from their second EP, and ‘Black and White' - one of the songs hand-picked by BBC Introducing's Tom Robinson for his mixtape. ‘Money Now' winds up the set with its edgy vocals and grinding guitar riffs.
After a short intermission The Watchmakers take to the stage. Opening with ‘Illumination' which offers a lengthy heavy guitar intro, the swirly vocals of Rich Maitland kick in and the crowd draw closer, intrigued by what this neo-psychedelic quartet have to offer. Moving swiftly into ‘Ride the Sands' with little fuss and bravado, the thumping bass lines of Andy Lewis dominate with the drum beat of Ian Maitland to set the pace. ‘Kiss The Sun' is a fast upbeat number which seems to accelerate as the song progresses, drawing the crowd deeper into The Watchmakers trance; while ‘Kiminara' has virtually every pair of feet tapping in the room with its catchy guitar riff. ‘Waves', which was released on demo last September, is an assault on the eardrums in all the right ways, with Ian Maitland's drumming and the guitar prowess of Adam Lewis going down a treat. Rounding off the set with ‘Before Questions Became' - their first demo - the band employ a serious, moody edge, their full attention focusing on the performance at hand, and it does not disappoint. The crowd love it and they are cheered off stage rather boisterously. Although their influences are clear in their musical style, the unique mixing which occurs in their tracks offers something slightly different and creates the understandable hype which is currently surrounding them.
The final act to grace the stage offers girl power and sex appeal cranked up to ten: PINS. Clearly pleased to be here, their enthusiasm showing through in their music as they head into ‘Lost Lost Lost'. The vocals of Faith Holgate ensnare and enchant; the doubters inch forward to learn more. The title is chanted in parts like an anthem with triple vocals offering something different from the norm. The band pace through ‘Get With Me' and new track ‘House of Love' which is a less upbeat track than their usual style, but no less penetrating. ‘LuvU4Lyf' is well known to any PINS fan and it is delivered no less spectacularly tonight packing a heavy punch live; progressive-edgy rock at its finest. A guitar swap for Faith before ‘Shoot You' rains down on the crowd, the over-emphasised guitar riffs of Lois Macdonald taking centre stage and the lyrics stepping momentarily backwards.
What is always astonishing about PINS is the presence the four woman have when performing, the dominate the stage and look as comfortable as anybody up there, in some ways more so as it is clear that they love what they are doing. The drums of Sophie Galpin slam in ‘Shoot You' and the stop-start in the tempo leaves one breathless whilst trying to keep pace with the ever changing style - highly effective in a packed venue in Manchester. This then fades out and rolls into ‘Stay True', with retro style high pitched screams blended into a fusion of prog rock. Other highlights include ‘Oh Lord' which offers their now synonymous triple vocal chanting, ‘Mad For You' where the fluidity of Anna Donigan on bass really shines though and ‘Girls Like Us' - an apt title, as quite frankly, there are no other girls like them. Wrapping up the set with ‘Waiting for the End', the crowd woop and cheer the band from the stage as they end what was a thoroughly enjoyable performance.
It's not often that you get such a mix of three very different types of bands coming together on one night, but refreshing it was to both hear and see.
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