WORDS AND IMAGES RHYS GROVER
O2 Ritz in Manchester played host as Ash pulled into Manchester on their current tour, ‘Ash Vs The Subways’, which is in support of their latest album, ‘Race The Night’.
The night was kick started by Jealous Nostrils, and for their first time in Manchester, they’re set went down a storm. An energetic three piece playing an infectious rock set will always go down well in this city, and when it’s played well, it just makes it all that much sweeter. They’ve released a handful of singles so far in their short career, but it’s clear to see there’s some talent there and they deserve to reach the heights.
In a way, Jealous Nostrils were the support for the evening, with this tour being “Ash vs The Subways”, they are both up there at the top of the bill. If you are classing The Subways as main support, then they delivered a set capable of being the main event.
They’ve an infectious style of rock, and left no stone unturned on the stage and covered just about every inch. Jumping about, swinging arms, hair and limbs, their chaotic stage presence spread to the crowd who lapped up their set. Making a semi hollow guitar have that incredible dirty tone to it is somewhat of a skill and has only ever been mastered by a handful of artists, but The Subways are definitely within that handful. As they described themselves, ‘hard, fast and strong’, and personally, I couldn’t put it any better myself. The energy for their set grew with each passing moment, the crowd were bouncing, the band were in the form of their life, and for their closing track ‘Rock & Roll Queen’, the energy reaches its crescendo as frontman Billy Lunn jumped into the crowd to have his moment with the adoring fans.
There was a huge buzz around the venue following that ending from The Subways, and Ash had big shoes to fill at their own set. Delivering their absolute best is what Ash always manage to do though, and this time was no different. Coming on stage, Tim Wheeler shows off a new style. Oversized suit, shades and the hair slightly more grown out than usual. His infectious frontman style is what has helped carry this band to the heights they have reached over the years, and it helped to keep the crowd up beat and enjoying the night after the incredible set they were following up from.
Their latest album, ‘Race The Night’ dominated the set list (and the merch stand, which is always a must visit at any Ash show), and in the mix alongside the 8 tracks from their latest release were a selection of well picked tracks from the back catalogue. It wouldn’t have been an Ash set without the big three, ‘Shining Light’, ‘Burn Baby Burn’ and ‘Girl From Mars’ all featured in the set, the second of which closed their set out and was the perfect send off for the fans on their journey home.
Their three track encore also consisted of ‘Angel Interceptor’, and the first of the three was a time to thank The Subways for their efforts on the tour as they were invited back on stage and they teamed up for a cover of Subways track, ‘Oh Yeah’. This was a bit of a last minute gig for me, but these are always the best. The energy levels in the Ritz were the best I think I’ve ever come across in that venue. All three bands were on extraordinary form, and you really can’t ask for much more than that.
SET LIST
1/ LIKE A GOD
2/ RACE THE NIGHT
3/ GOLDFINGER
4/ A LIFE LESS ORDINARY
5/ USUAL PLACES
6/ REWARD IN MIND
7/ ORPHEUS
8/ CONFESSIONS IN THE POOL
9/ SHINING LIGHT
10/ OSLO
11/ PEANUT BRAIN
12/ BRAINDEAD
13/ KUNG FU
14/ GIRL FROM MARS
15/ CRASHED OUT WASTED
ENCORE
16/ OH YEAH
17/ ANGEL INTERCEPTOR
18/ BURN BABY BURN
FOLLOW ASH
FOLLOW THE SUBWAYS
FOLLOW JEALOUS NOSTRIL
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
