MUSIC IN MANCHESTER

From its humble roots in the Britons Protection pub, via Big Hands to the Roadhouse, FoB continues its efforts to spread the mantra of music to anyone who will literally listen It is almost a Festival celebrating the diversity of talent that is readily available in Manchester

Loafer (Thur), breaking their self imposed hiatus to return with a barn storming set. Kicking off with "Local Guru", though "Indie Cindy" they play a frenetic set to the punters that have remained behind to the hour of 11:30

Flawed, fresh from hijacking the crowd at "In The City" continue with their "We are young, we are good" swagger. Fronted by a vocalist sounding uncannily like James Mudrinski (Puressesce) who drapes himself around the mic stand, surveying his audience as if to say "Give in, you will like us" Flawed go for the "big" sound, with shimmering guitars, plaintive vocals, the end product sometimes being unsuspectingly catchy ditties

Bonebox, straining at the leash, 7 members cramped onto the stage area, hit the groove from the opening notes of "Trusty Hound". Jay Taylor prowls around the perimeter of the crowd, occasionally venturing into their midst entreating them away from a sugary diet of pop and into a lean, high protein meal of blues, Cajun and anything else that is refreshing and invigorating

Last time I saw Jackie O, they were disappearing into the Oxfam shop, emerging moments later replete with guitars & drums. Heaven knows what they swapped those for, but they produced a fiery, visceral display. Tonight, there is no Oxfam shop available, and a different type of performance ensures. Jo-Jo summed it perfectly when she described it as "chilled" showing that they are more than one dimensional wonders

The howling feedback is more deliberate , the distorted attitude is still there as they don the mask of Captain Starfield and crew, to carry out the crusade of spreading the faith that is Jackie O.

The laconic effortless drawl that is Indigo Jones present an equally laid back set that included an ode to whisky

"Don't think about tomorrow,

`coz we're never getting there

Don't think about tomorrow,

`coz we're going out in style"

Tonight, in the hot, sweaty Roadhouse, where the cold remained outside as though it was going to stay there and never come in, it seemed apt

That one man human beat box, Mark Hoyle dominates thestage for 10 minutes, backing tape only, contorting his body, flailing his arms captivating you attention all the time

Finally "Mavis" wrap up proceeding. This 3 piece bears striking similarity to another hotly tipped Manchester band who have songs titles such as "Blood on Your Legs" and "Is that a storm brewing or is it just another shower?" in their repertoire.  And for those who stayed the sound from Johnny and crew satisfying filled the gaps

Many more bands played, throughout the week, and hopefully there is an impetus to move the music forward

Finally, it's over, though not with a big fanfare, `cos it's not up its own backside, but more of a sigh of relief from Pete & the others coupled with a cry of "Lets Get to the Bar"

Ged Camera

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