I have seen Black Rebel Motorcycle Club there twice and despite their arguably overlong sets they have always been compelling viewing. In 2009 I saw AC/DC wannabees Jet who alternated between ballads and rock tracks and produced a half decent performance with a proper strong vocal.
In 2011 I witnessed the Hold Steady who were going through a transitional phase as the keyboardist Franz Nicolay was undertaking a lengthy leave of absence. This altered the dynamic as it led to them resorting to a set list leaning towards their earlier albums as that suited their guitar led garage band sound, and as a result they were superb on the night.
I have also seen Fidlar, Maran Morris and Ryan Hurd, Arab Strap, Mark Lanegan, Band of Skulls, Joy Formidable. Go Team, Car Seat Headrest and Best Coast grace the stage there.
Nine years after my first visit, I saw Jesus and Mary Chain there in 1996. They were in the midst of touring ‘Stoned and Dethroned’, which is my favourite album alongside the startling aural onslaught that is contained in ‘Psychocandy’. Mary Chain gigs can historically be a bit of a lottery, but they were really accomplished and has thus far been my favourite live performance from them.
In 2018 I did a vintage double header within a few weeks of each other. First up was Belly who were excellent and Tanya Donnelly’s (previously Throwing Muses) voice was an absolute revelation. They also had the obligatory slightly bonkers bassist. To follow them was the Breeders with the Deal sisters in tow and they were enjoyable.
The best sound I encountered was at a British Sea Power show in 2017 with ‘super fan’ Graham Jones in attendance. Sometimes the sound can be a tad muddy here but every note was crystal clear that night.
Dinosaur Jr in 2013 were good, playing a large portion of an early album ‘Bug’ containing their biggest tune ‘Freak Scene’. My most recent attendance were the thin young Dublin scamps Fontaines DC who despite sound difficulties were as good as ever and induced mothering reflexes from Gill and Tris as to whether they were eating square meals.
One of the more unusual ones was Wu Lyf in 2012. Their inexorable rise up to that point involving them building up a loyal fan base by playing guerrilla gigs under various Manchester railway arches.
It was the best crowd reaction I had seen for a while and they were quirky and good value. I can only assume that the conversion to standard indoor stages was a wrong move as they broke up a year later.
Prior to a Dandy Warhols gig in 2015 Uncle George and I had a flying dabble in the bookies and we had a never to be repeated hot streak resulting in half an hour later leaving with a not inconsiderable profit. The Warhols couldn’t live up to the earlier high in the evening.
Rocket from the Crypt were in town in 1998 and were tremendous as ever and on that particular tour they created a novelty. This being that the support band Beach Buggies, after their set decamped to outside each venue in an open lorry to play a bonus set. So at the point of departure we discovered them across the road outside what subsequently became the Gorilla playing a short jaunty set and thus creating Manchester Venue 7 – Manchester Ritz Concourse.
