In all my years of going to gigs, I have to tell you that this is the first time that I have ever reviewed one on a professional basis, but saying that I always look for some key things at the time of any gig ; atmosphere, intimacy and reaction. Here, this band did not miss a beat – (Blood Youth)
So the night stated at 10 past 8 when I caught the end of Lotus Eater. From what I heard the Scottish tech metal crew, warmed up the crowed enough to keep them interested in what was in-store for them. I heard a few times from the Glaswegians, “ya ready for BLOOD YOUTH!! “ As if it was a call from the highlands. About half hour passes from stumbles of equipment passing through, next comes on the band I was wanting to review initially – Palm Reader.
Now, I like bands of this ilk. Mostly due to the out-spoken-word lyrics, crashing drums, harmonic guitars. I love that wave like sound. People have underestimated their talent and I’m looking forward to where they take themselves in the next few years. They have already spent many of their year’s honing their craft in underground gigs. They are festival line ups for 2000 Trees and Archtangent. Please look out for them.
Onto the main event, So one thing I did notice about the venue Mama Roux is how tight knit the venue itself is. I have noticed over the last few years how many of the dingy, grotty underground toilet venues are closing down, I’m hoping this place does not fall into that trap after years of bands using it as a step up gig and denying all existence. I liked the place it set, it gave a presence. A sense that bands could come here, play a decent gig and hold a few beers in memory of it. Mama Roux’s does it justice. I hope to see a few others here. One thing I did notice at this gig was the amount of people there. Mostly fresh out of student night, the night before. Netherless, they were there for one thing only and that was Blood Youth. Now, I’ve not given this band its due credit before – Album wise. I’ve only listened to their single Spineless from their latest release Starve. But it’s clear I should have done. They came on with the intro looped from their latest album, Stormed up and shook it apart. From what I gathered, it’s been pent up for this gig (well I hope that it had) They made a comment that “Manchester was fucking sick last night” I think it could have been topped at mama roux. They started their set with the lead single Spineless in which the punters immediately knew what to do. Get in a circle and start moshing. So it opened up, people threw themselves in, got into it. For a moment I thought to myself, I might join them but I remembered as Detective Murtaugh once said…” I’m too old for this shit” and I have a weak ankle from leaning. As the band progressed through, more and more joined in to the singing and the moshing. One song in particular Parasite opened up a wall of death.
The gruff vocals and the backing of the drummer pierced into the eardrums of everyone there. It set a president of what was to come from this band. One song I particularly enjoyed was Reason To Stay alongside with I Remember. Intimacy is an important element at any gig, they kept this at bay at one point by pulling the oldest and best trick in the book – jumping into the crowed and singing at them. At no point during their 45 min set was anyone eyes down on their phone checking who has looked at their Insta story. No, All Eyes were on the band, and that’s what you want for any band. They held it well and that’s with solid practice and touring constantly. Toward the end, they thanked anyone and everyone who saw them from the beginning when there were not 10 people in the crowed. If you get any opportunity to see Blood Youth, I employ you all – please do. They are an underappreciated band who will go far if they keep doing what they are already doing. I look forward to see them do another tour circuit.
