WORDS AND IMAGES DESH KAPUR
I found myself in the midst of a bustling Friday evening, in Manchester. with a mission to cover two shows in two different venues. My first stop was the renowned Yes-Manchester, where a band I really really like had achieved the remarkable feat of selling out the venue twice in a single night – a matinee show and an evening performance.
As I entered the relatively small and packed out venue, the atmosphere was electric. The crowd, a diverse mix of ages, was buzzing with excitement. The dimly lit and intimate stage hinted at the promise of an unforgettable evening. I could already sense that this was going to be something special.
Kicking off the night were Sun King, a band I had not had the pleasure of witnessing before. Their sound was a tapestry woven with a multitude of influences, from Small Faces and Lenny Kravitz to Jeff Buckley, Zeppelin, and Weller. While classic rock vibes resonated through their music, they injected a dose of jazz and funk licks that added depth to their performance. Lead singer Seb’s extraordinary voice, not surprising considering his lineage as the son of Biff Byford, the legendary frontman of British rock icons Saxon, was truly something to behold. Sun King left me with the impression that they are a band on the rise, with the potential for greatness, even though I question their choice of name.
Next up, it was time for Deadletter, a six-piece band originally hailing from Yorkshire and now based in London. They burst onto the stage with unapologetic energy and their unique take on post-punk.
There were no elaborate light shows or prolonged intro music; Deadletter simply walked on, exchanged pleasantries with the eager crowd, and dived headfirst into their electrifying performance. Lead singer Zac Lawrence commanded the stage like a charismatic preacher delivering a sermon to a captivated congregation. His presence was truly hypnotic, with the audience hanging on to his every word. The band, a well-oiled machine, provided a sharp backdrop of driven guitaR, grooving bass lines, and powerful drumming. Notably, the inclusion of dystopian saxophone playing added a creative twist that left me in awe.
Their music drew inspiration from a diverse range of sources, and I could hear echoes of The Fall, Talking Heads and Idles.
Zac’s stage presence was magnetic, and he spent just as much time engaging with the crowd as he did performing on the stage, riling up the packed venue. However, it would be unjust to overlook the contributions of the rest of the band, as Deadletter was a tight-knit unit, they are with out doubt the sum of all their parts.
Each track they played that night felt like a harder, edgier, and angrier version of its recorded counterpart. The use of semi-spoken word as a delivery platform was the defining characteristic of their songwriting, offering a unique and thought-provoking experience. Their insights into post-Brexit Britain and the political landscape provided a stark backdrop to their powerful music.
In the end, it was truly a brilliant night, filled with unforgettable performances that showcased the incredible talent of the bands that are really on the up.
SET LIST TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW DEADLETTER
FOLLOW SUN KING
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
