Back at The Deaf Institute in Manchester, one of my favourite places to catch live music. I remember when it first opened in 2008 and it felt like somewhere built for nights like this. Three floors, chandeliers, that old lecture hall charm, and the sound in the main room is always spot on. It was also the first place I ever had a Sierra Nevada, which somehow made the music taste even better. Every time I’m back here it still feels like a treat, and tonight was no different.
Denver
Female fronted by a strong vocalist and backed by a tight five-piece, Denver brought both confidence and clarity. Their sound sits somewhere between polished pop and gritty R&B. Early on, the crowd was already in their pocket, singing along, hands up, fully engaged. Their new single Dangerously Close which you can check out on Spotify hits exactly where pop and soul meet, with the edge to keep it real. the whole room singing along like they had been with the band for years.
Bluff
Five lads, but with a sax in the mix which always gets large points from me. Their sound is broad. At times I heard hints of country, at others Pulp-style drama or raw indie swagger. They are not settled yet, but that is part of their charm. The sax cuts through and lifts transitions, giving songs an extra edge. Their set felt like a bold experiment. Some parts land more cleanly than others, but overall the promise is huge. That sax cutting through at just the right moments, giving the songs a fresh lift.
Frank & the Beats
These are my new festival friends turned stage conquerors (met them last week at Neck of the Woods festival). Headlining with the weight of their new single behind them, they channelled chaos, fun, and real crowd connection in equal parts. I heard echoes of Blur and Arctic Monkeys in their energy, not in imitation but in the way they made the audience feel part of the moment.
A highlight was their first ever performance of Never Forget Where You Come From. That one hit hard. Heartfelt, singalong ready, grounded. Then Life Will Be the Deaf of Me landed heavy, followed by Lullaby, which gave room for a breather before the final push. debuting Never Forget Where You Come From and owning it like an anthem already. Bright lads, bursting with potential. They have got tunes, they have got stage confidence, and tonight they proved they can deliver both.
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