A sweltering hot afternoon at the end of the working week created the inevitable buzz around Manchester city centre on Friday as a strange mix of office workers and gig-goers descend upon Deansgate and Castlefield.
Half are enjoying a post-work drink before they head home, the other half are enjoying pre-gig refreshments before they make their way to the Castlefield Basin for The Courteeners, Miles Kane and The Strypes.
Local heroes The Courteeners are renowned for putting on a good hometown show. Miles Kane will no doubt be as charismatic as ever – but what of The Strypes?
The Strypes are one of the most talked about new bands of the last 12 months. A lot has been made of their age, their love of a Rhythm and Blues cover, the fact that they are signed to Elton John’s record label and the fact that guitarist Josh McClorey holds unbelievable ability.
Hailing from Cavan, Ireland, the 21st Century Mods opened their set with She’s So Fine featuring Josh McClorey on vocals while singer Ross Farrelly was on Blues Harp duties. The Coasters I’m A Hog For You Baby followed with Farrelly back in his familiar vocal role and looking all the while like a 1964 Eric Burdon, only with better skin.
Rather predictably with these early-starting events (The Strypes took to the stage not long after six pm) the majority of the audience were more interested in locating their mates and the bar rather than watching the band who were third on the bill.
At the end of I’m A Hog For You Baby McClorey asked the audience: “Is anybody excited about Miles Kane?” at which point Mr Kane himself popped his head around the corner of the stage to give the audience a wave.
McClorey then announced: “His Mam’s with him you know!” Mrs Kane then quickly took her opportunity to step into the limelight and gave the audience a cheeky wave for which she received a good-natured round of applause.
Bassist Pete Hanlon was a thunderous ball of energy as he did an admirable job of whipping up the audience.
McClorey however did not appear to be as fearless in his playing as he did when The Strypes last visited Manchester in early February.
Farrelly incidentally, seems to carry a similar onstage persona to that of Lee Brilleaux (Dr. Feelgood) or Keith Relf (The Yardbirds) in that he allows the bands guitarist to be the onstage star.
The slightly disappointing single Hometown Girls preceded Blue Collar Jane before Heart Of The City reflected the very early Jam as an influence. The songs strong impact served in lifting the audience but sadly, the melody was lacking.
The set closed with traditional blues standard Rollin’ and Tumblin’ and expressed, if nothing else, what a tight musical unit The Strypes are.
Drummer Evan Walsh was as beautifully nonchalant as Charlie Watts, bassist Pete Hanlon showed what a master of his instrument he is, Josh McClorey, although failing to hit the heights of his Academy performance in February, still managed to raise the questions as to whether or not Jimmy Page or Eric Clapton were this accomplished at the age of seventeen.
Throw Farrelly into the mix who has no right sounding as world-weary as he does in his teen years and you have a band with huge potential.
The Strypes are riding the crest of a wave at the moment and building up a strong following. Whether or not they can pull off an engaging debut album that will rival that of their influences is something that remains to be seen.
Picture courtesy of Aurelien Guichard via Flickr, with thanks.
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