 | | Lou Rhodes (pic: Andy Stubbs) |
"I think I’m going to melt up here," smiled Lou Rhodes, halfway through her set, and she wasn’t the only one. Conceived as part of the continuing efforts of the Manchester Aid to Kosovo project, Cohesion Live somehow managed to catch the last day of summer as it proved once again that combining the music of this city with the spirit of its people is an unbeatable formula.  | | Badly Drawn Boy (pic: Andy Stubbs) |
From Asinine’s opening to Badly Drawn Boy’s close, this was a day of good performances, good spirits and all-round good vibes. Fashioning a bill from the most charitable locals and a few altruistic out-of-towners, this was a guitar-filled, fun-packed, big-hearted love-in. Be it the over-filled tent for Nine Black Alps, Snowfight In The City Centre’s seismic pop on the second stage, Lucy and the Caterpillar’s resplendent green and red outfit, Seaming To’s mind-blowing Toolshed vocals, John Cooper Clarke’s surprise appearance or Cherry Ghost’s encore cover of Ce Ce Peniston’s Finally, it was the home-grown talent that took the plaudits in Platt Fields.  | | Graham Coxon (pic: Andy Stubbs) |
That said, there was applause aplenty for Get Cape Wear Cape Fly’s unexpected appearance, Graham Coxon’s manic wig-out and The Sunshine Underground’s desperately danceable tunes. But with the artists all performing for free and all profits going to the MaK peace park, it’s probably the atmosphere and unity of the occasion that was the true crowd pleaser. That or the stellar headlining sets from Elbow – hilariously introduced by Clint Boon as "some extremely talented individuals… and Pete Turner" - and Badly Drawn Boy (despite a few technical difficulties). Or Andy Rourke's DJing. Or The Longcut’s belting volume as night came to the second stage. Or that gorgeous unrelenting sunshine.  | | The Longcut (pic: Andy Stubbs) |
Whatever it was that made Cohesion such a special festival, it was tangible. Best of all, it was a success for MAK, and that’s what mattered. Yet, for all the messages of peace and hope and stories of ethnic cleansing that the organisers gave in-between the sets, it was Ms Rhodes again that summed it up best. "I’m going to say that thing your mum always says," she proclaimed at the end of her set. "Just remember how lucky you are." | 
