Reviews

Fear Of Music (pic: Shirlaine Forrest)

Fear of Music (New Bands Stage - 4.35pm)

Who had the wisdom to place one of the stages next to the loos? Whilst it means there’s a captive audience, attempting to avoid the streams produced by rows of men making their marks kind of detracts from the music on offer.

But nevermind, onto the music! Fear of Music are possessed of a precocious talent. Unfortunately for them, playing in a railway arch at the time of day when people are just starting to get concerned about the size of the bar queue probably doesn’t do them any favours. If inoffensive sub-Muse-esque rock is your thing, then the release of their proper debut album next year should tick all the relevant boxes. (CM)

Carlis Star (New Bands Stage - 5.25pm)

"I can’t hear a word any of these lot are saying," mumbles the man next to me. He has a point. To make yourself heard on the New Bands stage, you have to have the stage presence of an arena performer or at the very least be prepared to get your bum out.

Unfortunately for Carlis Star, despite looking like an Indie Hawkwind, they appear to be unwilling to do either. Their set of fun-filled indie pop tunes and random beepy noises are pleasant enough and have the kind of energy and verve the audience could have appreciated, if only they could’ve stopped shouting at each other and pay attention for five minutes. (CM)

Carlis Star (pic: Shirlaine Forrest)

The Mekkits (Kenworthy Stage – 5.30pm)

The Mekkits make an energetic start to my Dpercussion; playing a blend of ska and surf rock, these feisty musicians certainly know how to entertain a crowd. With a clear following, singer Mark Bristol was in full swing; hitting every note spot on in-between dancing like a mad man. The Mekkits make for a sweaty, skanking, frantic bundle of fun and it’s nice to see a bit of harmonious ska on the live scene. (KM)

The Beep Seals (New Bands Stage - 6.20pm)

If there’s one thing that Dpercussion is good for, it’s discovering hidden treasures. And The Beep Seals are certainly one of them. Formerly known as everyone’s favourite bowler hat wearer Jim Noir’s backing band, recently they have come into their own. An absolute joy of a band and almost certainly one of the highlights of DPercussion, they also win bonus points for undoubtedly being the hairiest bunch to perform today. (CM)

The Mekkits (pic: Shirlaine Forrest)

The Ting Tings (Kenworthy Stage – 6.20pm)

The biggest disappointment of the day came when the Ting Tings drew a massive crowd and then never turned up, with a simple explanation five minutes before they came on beuing that they were "cancelled". Turns out that Jules had done his arm in, lifting gear into a van. Shame that.

The Deadbeats (New Bands Stage - 7.15pm)

The Deadbeats certainly are an upbeat bunch, even managing to get the people queuing up to purchase a bratwerst to stand up and pay attention. This is a band who are really making a name for themselves both in Manchester and beyond, and from the evidence of this performance, it’s easy to see why, with tunes designed to make you sing along, dance around, and generally make a bit of a fool out of yourself. From the evidence of their crowd, they’re doing an admirable job of it too. (CM)

Maps (pic: Shirlaine Forrest)

Maps (Kenworthy Stage – 8pm)

Maps are an intriguing band - just when you expect their set to build up into an almighty explosion, it winds back down, teasing every last bit of electronica from out of the plug sockets.

A fantastic, almost mystical sounding approach to sampling, they could well be on the summer sound track, but they don’t come across as the most engaging live band considering the chaotic competition from other stages. (KM)

The KBC (New Stage – 8.15pm)

Yet again, the KBC draw in a horde of fans from the region, creating a party atmosphere for the natives. Underneath the brick railway bridge where the New Stage was set, not only did it look like a makeshift arena, casting shadows onto the walls of the arches, but the sound was incredible. The off beat synths of Not Anymore led the crowd to mayhem and the finishing touch of Poisonous Emblem cemented the band’s mark on the last ever D percussion. (KM)

Cherry Ghost (pic: Shirlaine Forrest)

Cherry Ghost (Main Stage - 8.45pm)

When your album is being advertised on Channel 5 during primetime, then you know you’ve made it. Cherry Ghost is fast becoming one of Manchester’s favourite sons and this set showed why. Despite coming on stage with little fanfare and it taking most of the crowd a fair few songs to realise that he is that bloke who’s continually on the radio, he manages to bring a bit of alcohol-sodden emotion to the faces of those present.

By the time the sun sets in a rather overcast sky and he launches into recent single People Help The People, it would take a very hard heart indeed not to be slightly moved. If only because it’s just transpired that the nearest bar has run out of beer. (CM)

The Courteeners (New Stage – 9.05pm)

Now that Liam Fray’s brainchild has gone national, it seems The Courteeners are in more demand than ever. At the cram packed New Stage, the band know they’re with a loyal home crowd, as they sing along to every word of the city’s latest musical prodigies.

The uncontrollable cheering reinforces the fact Manchester’s love affair with the band has been discovered. Staying true to indie, The Courteeners are amongst family in this part of the world. Don’t be surprised if they make friends everywhere else. (KM)

The Courteeners (pic: Shirlaine Forrest)

Karima Francis (Dukes Stage – 9.40pm)

Karima Francis has become quite a name in Manchester over the last few months with her powerful set of lungs, spine-tingling delivery and irresistible stage charm. Here at Dpercussion’s acoustic venue, once again she shines like a beacon of hope for singer/songwriters; her voice effortlessly carries her through a performance that will keep old fans reassured and gain new followers wherever her vocals may echo. (KM)

Polytechnic (New Bands Stage - 10pm)

Blimey. Polytechnic are a quiet bunch, aren’t they? If you’re going to be the main event on a stage, it’s good to actually be able to form coherent sentences rather than an occasional mumble now and then. Still, they symbolise the kind of music that Manchester does best; wry, energetic and spiky tunes, which immediately grab you and refuse to let go.

Big things have been promised from Polytechnic for a while now, but, on the evidence of this and the fact that they’re being championed by Johnny Marr, 2007 could just be their year. (CM)