MUSIC IN MANCHESTER

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How things change. Twenty odd years ago when I was Sports Sec at this place, it was then known as the "Governor Place Halls of Residence Student Bar" Snappy title yeah! It was littlie more than a brightly lit, youth hall type location that served a function in that it dispensed cheap beer to get us pissed before we ventured into the night. Now, it seems to be a more darkly lit, youth hall type location that serves a function in that it dispenses cheap beer to get the latest generation of students pissed before they venture into the night.

They also put on the odd band night. Hence my vist tionight

Luckily the Sonar Yen have moved on more in the 3 years of so that I've been watching & listening to them. From their earlier career that was dominated by an enjoyable darkness in their sound, impacted upnon by their youthful alienation, a refreshing exuberance now pervades through their noise.

An almost entirely new set is unveiled in front of an audience that comprises part student element who have no idea about the band, and a part core of stalwarts and followers who are intrigued by how they continue to evolve.

Whilst most band have one or two good numbers surrounded by a polyfilla of dross, two guitars, bass and drummer rarely shine to consistently gloriously throughout a set as Mike, Tim & cohorts do tonight. No on tage histrionics, although the way Tim flays the skins is always a sight to behold, just some brooding intros that flourish into into epics of intensity

The fierily "Decisions no Regret" closes the electric set and even the noivce bystanders inciate their enjjoyement. Getting old can be fun

For a different review of some of these gigs see 

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