You Me At Six With Special Guests Tonight Alive Manchester Academy 02.04.2017

You Me At Six

Manchester Academy 02.04.2017

 

It's been years since I first noticed this band, I remember their early videos for 'Save It For The Bedroom' and 'Underdog' this is going back 10 or 11 years ago now.

 

They always had a very dedicated following , so why you ask have I taken so long to see them play live ?

 

Well in truth I was being somewhat judgemental of their capabilities to deliver on stage as a "Live Rock Band", that was until I heard 'Room To Breathe' my fav 'YMAS' single ever,not only that but it was a question of timing,right place, right time right day ,Y'know.

 

So They are back on Tour this Spring for their 'Night People' album which came out in March.

 

There's a double headliner gig tonight they are joined by rising Aussie stars 'Tonight Alive' , and also a new upcoming band 'Black Foxes' and they kick things off early at 7pm quite a "Heavy Bass Rock Band", they are a classic mix of 'Audioslave' and 'Royal Blood' mixed into one, they let the music do the talking with no crowd conversations. 

 

Next up 'Tonight Alive' very popular with College kids and they have built up quite a following in this country, from 'Sydney' , Australia 'Tonight Alive' have divided the audience, quite a few fans were here just to see them, 4 of which were at the front of the queue waiting at 7am from 'Flintshire' near Wales.

 

 

So as their heroes take to the stage its  beginning to feel like a special show already as the atmosphere moves up a gear,  front woman 'Jenna' with her very short white blonde hair dressed in White with White angel wings, takes to the stage like a one woman warrior of peace, as her band joins her on stage she ultimately grabs our attention by clambouring on the amps kicking off with 'How Does It Feel'.

 

 

 She's very 'Pro Woman's Right's a Vegan and angry with the political right wing , Music just got Real after the last few years of world events!!! playing another one of their biggest hits 'Waves', and then 'Drive' are stand out moments in the whole show her vocals are not that disimilar to 'Evanescence' or early 'Paramore' in vocal power so it goes down well.

 

Almost 9pm now and after a superb start to the show ,the band take to the stage with lead singer 'Josh Francesci' dressed in Black leather jacket and jeans,looking rather understated as a 'Rockstar' his hair is neck length but slicked back from his face as they begin the show with lead track 'Night People'. Gone are the early era caps and bright coloured clothes with floppy fringes, 'You Me At Six' have grown up now, I say grown up 'Josh' is only 26!!

 

 

 

 

So as he struts about the stage with a sea of Red and White flashing lights behind him which blind us almost in the front row,the simplistic stage layout allows 'Josh' to walk about and connect to his audience.

 

 

They follow up the 1st song with a belter of a single from their back catalogue 'Underdog' and then 'Lover Boy', their biggest hits, and introducing the more up to date ones into the setlist gradually, 'Stay With Me' is easy to sing along to and he informs us "Its been 4 years since we last played here".

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crowds excitement  heightens and crowd surfers revel in  chance to get down the front as 'Josh' invites them "If you want to get closer to the front now's your chance join us" as 'Save It For The Bedroom' starts', it indeed goes crazy legs and arms flying around my neck that I turn into a fully fledged 'Showsec' member lifting legs off me pushing the fans off me left right and centre  ,they end the first part with 'Taking On The World' .

 

 

 The crowd chant for more and then he engages the crowd with a talk, "Would anyone come to see us again if we played an Anniversary Tour? I know people say we've reached our peak now but so long as you guys want us here we'll keep doing it"!!

 

 

The crowd cheer and 'Josh' says "I want everyone to look at someone next to you on your left or right and remember we are all the same inside whether we black or White and who we choose to love- Look after each other" Whoa that was a bit deep a lesson on equality and respect very brave move, as they played 'Give' I was wondering if they would play my song . 

 

I start yelling "Room To Breathe' eventually it surfaces at the end, it sounds awesome  and in case you are wondering what I was thinking so far, 'Josh's vocals were on point and he didn't lose the power on the stage like I thought he would of,I don't know why I doubted them as they definitely smashed it tonight,it was a pleasure to be a this show.

 

 

It was also a pleasure meeting everyone from the fans to the band's to the lighting crew and security at the venue that all made my show experience that bit special.

 

 

Thank you and Good Night ,Night people !! 

 

 

LMi xo