Famed for its student-friendly prices and rotation of eclectic performers, YES played host to a dynamic trio of Manchester-based indie bands on Friday night; WHTVRMNS, Mleko, and Hungry.
Due in part to getting carried away with some pre-gig drinks and the unreliable bus network, I, unfortunately, missed opening act WHTVRMNS. I am informed by Mleko’s bassist, Myron, on my way down to YES’s basement that they played a blinder and to keep an eye out for them in the future.
On-stage calls of ‘Where’s Rory?’ come from Mleko in an attempt to find their AWOL guitarist. Soon enough, he’s located and the band, not letting the humorously chaotic start put them off, fire into the soon-to-be single, ‘As It Goes’. A portion of my journey to the gig was spent listening to a demo of the track on repeat and the now set list mainstay sounds all the more glorious live.
Lesser bands may struggle to follow on from such an impressive opener, however, fan favourites ‘Marxist Midlife Crisis’ and ‘Lego Sex’ manage to whip the increasingly riled-up crowd into further degrees of ecstasy. Another soon-to-be single, ‘Gub Rock’, slows the tempo, allowing the audience a chance to appreciate its unconventional structure and frontman Ed’s intense delivery of the introspective lyrics.
Due to their set time running out, a modified version of ‘White Picket Fences’ is sadly cut short before it reaches the epic proportions that the minute or so snippet forecast. This, however, did little to tarnish an otherwise stellar set and fresh off a formative gig at Headrow House (Leeds) and a busy Holiday season spent in the studio with Maruja producer Samuel Jones, Mleko looked on top form for their first Manchester gig of 2025.
New drummer Max makes a fine addition to the band and with a well-honed, watertight set list displaying every myriad of their strengths, 2025 looks set to be a breakthrough year for the seven-piece. A lengthy interlude follows, leaving plenty of time to anticipate the much-talked-about headliners, Hungry.
Already brimming with the cool confidence of a veteran band, Hungry soon takes the fog-filled stage to a raucous reception. Led by statuesque frontman Jacob, he wastes little time with introductions, immediately delivering his recognisable bellow into the mic as the band rips into an energetic opening track.
Originally from Cambridge, Hungry has ingrained themselves into Manchester’s converted indie scene, showing all the trademarks of a well-versed northern band. A history of whirlwind live shows has earned the band a dedicated live following and laid the groundwork for what looks set to be an exciting future.
The crowd are at the four-piece’s mercy from the get-go and by the time ‘The Jig’ rolls around, Hungry is at the top of their game. Filled with punk-fused energy and menacingly hooky riffs, the track is all the convincing you need to see why Hungry are a band garnering so much attention.
Hungry’s most recent release, ‘Sick of It’, is another highlight – its angsty lyrics and pulsating energy signal the night’s zenith. A new track I didn’t catch the name of continues proceedings in a similarly high-octane vein as Jacob, reminiscent of Henry Rollins if he went to a Russell Group University, hangs off the low-roofed stage, reciting an array of whip-smart lyrics at the ever-receptive crowd.
It’s a razor-tight showing from the Manchester adoptees which combines fun and socio-political sentiments in a stirringly effective manner. As the crowd rise from the basement and spill into the soon-to-be flooded dance floor and smoking area, YES and the three bands that played can pat themselves on the back for their part in keeping Manchester’s music scene alive and well.
PHOTO CREDIT – ELLIOT DAVIES
MORE ABOUT HUNGRY HERE
FOLLOW WHTVRMNS ON INSTAGRAM // FOLLOW MLEKO ON INSTAGRAM
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