Britpop Revival-Indie Blog Special ft Marion Night & Day November 21st 2018/ Sleeper Manchester Ritz November 24th 2018

Britpop Revival - 2 Bands Blog Special

 

Band 1

 

Marion

 Night & Day Café

21st November 2018

 

This year a lot of  90's bands went back on the road ,one of which I hadn't seen play live before.

 

 

The first of which 'Marion' now newly formed with 'Jaime Harding' the only original member, the drummer from Twisted Wheel, and others from 'Tom Hingley And Lovers' and lesser known 'Des Horsfall', they basically had become a one guitarist  band when there was originally 2 can they pull it off tonight ???  

 

 

The Night & Day was a place that 'Marion' used to rehearse back in the day and they even recorded music video 'Violent Men' there so here we are waiting for something waiting for for anything ....

 

 

As the band get on stage and take to their positions the crowd (steadily building into the tiny venue) await the presence of 'Jaime' who eventually appears with a Hat in his hand he decides not to don it , his black jacket with patches, wearing leather boots he grabs the mic and begins 'Fallen Through' from 'This World And Body' and later throughout the back catalogue 'Toys For Boys', 'Vanessa' (minus the second verse). 

 

 

 

 

 

It's then singer 'Jaime' mentions  'Jan Oldenburg' late owner of 'Night & Day' , Jan who passed away only weeks ago he shouts 'Lets hear it for Jan!, Jan!,Jan! (crowd yell back) and continues with 'The Collector' and still standing with jacket zipped up 'Its Hot!' he exclaims "Take your jacket off 'Jaime!!'" we yell.

 

 

 

He declines grabs a full bottle of water and drowns himself and nearly half the front of the crowd with 2 bottles of water, his frazzled Indie hair do ruined in seconds, most people gawp in amazement some not sure what is going on as he then struggles to continue choking on the gallons of water. 

 

 

 

 

It wasn't the highlight of the show he continued with a track from 'The Program', 'Miyako Hideaway' and then 'Strangers' finally we get a classic 'Time' and a new one called 'Take My Time' very relevant as the gig slows in pace.

 

 

 

 

The mood finally gets more vibrant during 'Lets All Go Together' and they ended with a belter 'Sleep' ,'Jaime' obviously very appreciative of his audience he appears humbled but proud leaving the stage with the crowd waiting for more than the 12 and a half songs we're offered. 

 

 

 

 

"He'll be back in a bit he wont let us down" says one fan calling for an encore "I doubt it that's your lot he's gone" and with that the stage is cleared leaving die hard fans queuing up to meet him , it wasn't what I expected but as 'Marion' gigs go it was entertaining.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Band 2

 

Sleeper

Manchester 02 Ritz + Starshaped DJs Afterparty

24th November 2018

 

A few days later further up the road 'London's 'Sleeper' are in town to promote a new album and play their Classic Indie Pop brand.

 

 

Now this will be a journey back in time, I had both albums 'Smart' and 'It Girl' tonight is set to be a celebration of that  Golden time in 90's history.

 

 

'Louise Wener' one time 'Select Magazine' sex symbol takes to the stage tonight to a packed out crowd wearing a pink t-shirt with the slogan 'Space Cowboy', shes in shock at the reception she receives as her band begin with 'Nice Guy Eddie' everyone remembers the words and is bouncing about already.

 

 

 

 

 

'Louise' has hair scraped back in a make shift  pinned back plait, as she plays guitar back in the day she was known for her short hair.  Although years have gone by she's not changed that much in appearance,she says "We're going to take you right back to our very first single now this is 'Delicious'" most of the crowd remember buying the countless 7" EP's of the bands music this was their very 1st.

 

 

 

 

 

 It went straight into 'What Do I Do Now' one of my absolute favorites the guitar and keyboards very memorable from '1996's 'It Girl' from it album track 'Lie Detector' followed by 'Statuesque'. 

 

 

 

 

 

Just when you think it couldn't get any better 'Louise' pulls it out of the bag again with a cover of 'Blondie' 'Atomic' (Originally on the 'Trainspotting' soundtrack) but with even special twist for us 'Mancunians' as it segued into 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by 'Joy Division' everyone started singing the 'Manchester Song' 'Manchester Lalala Manchester Lalala etc... (Every time this happens I'm so proud of my city #OneLove).

 

 

 

 

 

Crowd were lovin it, the band were lovin it I think  'Louise' was overcome by it all (Power of Manchester People) they continued with 'Inbetweener'  leaving the crowd crying out for more they came back with newbie 'Look At You Know', 'Vegas' and 'Sale Of The Century' the crowd singing acapella long after it finished as with most songs tonight, 'Louise' went over with the mic to get the crowd involved. 

 

 

 

 

 

 What a fabulous band I cannot believe I missed out being there in mid 90's, the new stuff has that 'Sleeper' sound and 'Louise's witty lyrics on it,they will tour next year for the new album , it feels like they've never been away a feeling you don't often get with 90's reunions ,check them out.

 

Lmi xo