Blossoms Put On Their Biggest Headline Show To Date 'Blossoms Big Bank Holiday Weekend' At Wythenshawe Park Manchester UK 25th August 2024

August 27, 2024
UK Concert Reviews
by Michael Bond Photographer/Writer

WORDS AND IMAGES MICHAEL BOND

In what will mark the biggest show in the bands career and on home turf too, Blossoms look set to cement their place amongst the great and good of the (Greater) Manchester music scene. Ahead of their 5th studio album ‘Gary’ being released next month and an upcoming autumn tour. Today is the opening of a new chapter for the band, which will no doubt see them set to go from strength to strength.

Today looks to pack in a bumper list of bands that any decerning music lover could shake a stick at, and first up from that list is local lad Seb Lowe. He is someone who’s starting to get quite a bit of attention at the moment and its easy to see why. An engaging front man with a set of well thought out songs covering social & political issues, like ‘5168 Days’, a song about the Conservative government’s recent time in power and the obvious problems it has caused.

Hot off a weekend at Reading & Leeds festivals, the K’s are next up and look every inch the rock stars as they bring a set of indie bangers to get the crowd warmed up. Its clear to see these lads have a strong fan base as the numbers watching them here today prove. It’s not hard to see why though, with tracks like ‘Chancer’ and ‘Hometown’ along with their heartfelt track ‘Hoping Maybe’ and ending on their biggest song to date, ‘Sarajevo’.

Indie veterans Shed Seven are up next, opening with ‘Getting Better’ Rick Witter goes on to say, that song was from 1996 & ironically askes a younger member of the crowd if they remember 1996. To which he replies, ‘I don’t f*£king remember it either’! The journey through the 90’s continues with ‘Going for Gold’ which then merges into a cover of ‘Suspicious Minds’. Next, special guest Rowetta (from the Happy Mondays) is introduced to the stage, to perform ‘In Ecstasy’. A song she collaborated with the band on their 2024 album ‘A Matter of Time’ and she remains on stage to sing ‘Disco Down’ with the band too. Rounding their set off with a massive singalong to ‘Chasing Rainbows’.

Inhaler are next with the main support slot. Opening with ‘Love Will get You There’ the crowd on the front row (mainly teenage girls) react to the band like their genuine pop idles, waiving their homemade signs and screaming at she slightest thing. Again, a young band on their way up, Inhaler are building a solid set, of songs from their 2 albums with the likes of ‘These Are the Days’ and ‘If You’re Gonna Break My Heart’, finishing off their set with ‘Honest Face’.

As the crowd prepare themselves for the main event of the evening, the 70’s looking orange stage starts to be uncovered with matching orange drum kit & keyboard stands. There is also a taste of the kind of music that inspires the band playing over the speakers, as the crowds excitement grows. Blossoms are a band I have seen throughout the years, watching them grow and refine their craft. But not having seen them live since 2022 I’m looking forward to seeing how they have developed.

Inevitably, as the lights drop & the band make their way onto the stage, the crowd erupts. As everyone takes their mark, a silhouetted Tom takes centre stage with a drumstick and cow bell, which is hit as the band open with ‘Your Girlfriend’. Next on the set list is ‘I Can’t Stand It’ and you can really see how Tom has developed as a front man, and for me, taking inspiration from the likes of Jarvis Cocker and Morrisey in his actions and mannerisms. Also, as a band, taking inspiration from Queen, as Josh, Tom and Charlie stand centre stage with lighting reminiscent for Bohemian Rhapsody.

Moving through the set ‘To Do List (after The Breakup)’ sees Findlay come on stage to sing the duet with Tom. Referencing their roots the band move on to their debut single ‘Blow’ which is followed up by their most recent single ‘Perfect Me’.

Title track from their current album ‘Ribbon Around the Bomb’ is up next, which merges into ABBA’s Dancing Queen. Again, referencing another band that has had a big influence on the path Blossoms have taken over the years. Another well thought out touch in the set is during ‘If You Think This is Real Life’ where the whole band congregate together on the drum riser as they play an instrumental outro. With the first part of the set brought to a close with ‘At Most a Kiss’.

The encore starts with sirens and a police man & woman walking across the stage with flashlights, and they can only be looking for one thing…… As they leave the stage Gary, the bands new mascot and namesake of the upcoming album is wheeled out. As the band open with ‘Gary’ guitarist Josh casually sits in the palm of Gray’s hand playing guitar, as Tom walks over and begins to climb the 8-foot gorilla while singing. This is followed up by a stripped back version of ‘My Favourite Room’ which sees the 5 lads sat at the front of the stage as they perform. To finish off the night a dance intro reminiscent of the Hacienda floats across the air which morphs into ‘Charlemagne’, bringing a triumphant show to an end.

I feel tonight was a coming of age for the band and shows all the hard work and thought they have put into their craft, both musically and visually to become a fully rounded band, ready to headline arenas and major festivals around the world.