I’m sure when this was planned, there was sunshine in mind. Things don’t always go to plan, but despite the grey skies, Blossoms are more than capable of bringing the light.
Before that though there’s a full programme of which I’ve missed half. Walking into Wythenshawe Park is a bit of an ordeal, being ushered around tons of metal fencing, I’ve covered less ground running hundreds of parkruns in here. It takes that long that I miss the tail end of The K’s set that had been my plan and to compound the scuppering, on cue the rain starts, so poncho on. I’m not getting soaked again like at PJ Harvey last week. “Hello Wythenshawe, we’re Shed Seven and we’ve brought the rain… we’ve also brought the rock n roll!” declares Mr Witter as they tear into ‘Getting Better’ and I get my first taste of the sound system first hand (I got a second hand dose curtsey of New Order last night from my garden). They sound solid and bloody good fun. ‘Going for Gold’, a cover of ‘Suspicious Minds’ follow, they’re a party band and I’m once again reminded how great they are live. They take me by surprise every time. That said there are quite a few new ones that lose me, but Rowetta is rolled out for ‘Disco Down’ and the party is back on. The rain has buggered off as they close with ‘Chasing Rainbows’ and it’s time for me to bugger off too and find some food while Inhaler are on. They’re really not my thing, less said the better. That’s perhaps unfair though, they’re not terrible, they sound alright. Big bouncy indie pop that has plenty in the crowd happily jumping about. Me though, I indulge in some chicken katsu curry which I have to say was rather good and is followed by some Oreo ice cream on account of staying clear of the bars that are carnage, no point unless you want to stare at the same persons back for an hour.
That’s not what I’m here for, what I am here for of course is Blossoms. Who by the time they take to the stage the night has drawn in, but boy was I right about that light. The atmosphere which has to be said has felt a little flat instantly lifts. It’s a classy look with the stage draped in orange cloth everywhere and the band all dressed in black and white. Lounge lizard vibes. They’re pure feel good summer pop. ‘Your Girlfriend’, ‘I Can’t Stand It’ and ‘Getaway’ providing the perfect starting trio to whip up the masses. And there are masses. It’s packed and quite something to see just how far they’ve come. They’re tight as ever and clearly here to set a new milestone. Noting Manchester greats like Oasis and Stone Roses playing big park events and this now being their time. Tom is on fine form voguing with his Brian May locks blowing in the wind. The choreographed full stage freeze during ‘(Oh No) I Think I’m in Love’. Everyone encouraged to get up on mates shoulders for ‘The Keeper’ to which Wythy dutifully obliges. It’s magnificent. Some bits look a bit silly like when they all crowd round the keyboards, pressing keys. I imagine Miles is thinking will you all leave me alone, don’t touch that, but it’s fun. The whole thing is and they repeat the trick around the drums which it has to be said works much better. ‘Blow’ is a gear change to the newer stuff. It’s got that early phase blues dirge and sounds awesome with Josh squalling away. It’s easy to forget just what a career they’ve already had. So many great songs and they keep coming with the last single ‘Perfect Me’ following with that pulverising drumbeat syncing the entire crowd. The wind does pick up and throw the sound around a little on ‘Ribbon Around the Bomb’, but it still sounds great and the sound all day is pretty decent for being outdoors in these conditions. Hats off to the sound desk. As ‘Ribbon…’ finishes I’ll forgive them the dancing queen coda as they let it flow into ‘If You Think This is Real Life’. It’s too seamless not to be impressed. They’re seamless all set. It’s quite a skill to link it all so well. The word that keeps coming to me all night is, polished. It goes off for ‘At Most a Kiss’ and so do the flares as the field is filled with smoke and Miles hits the front of stage with a keytar. It’s… mega (purposely chosen 80s word for the vintage tone of the evening). I think I say this every time, but I’m thinking this might well be the best I’ve seen them. After a bit of theatre with two coppers roaming the stage darkness in the encore break. A giant gorilla is wheeled on stage and the band return for ‘Gary’. Honestly it makes sense if you’re here. The new stuff fits the set like a glove and I’m genuinely excited to hear the forthcoming new record. As the big monkey is wheeled back off, Tom says “Say bye to Gary” and thousands of people shout “BYE GARY” like we’re on some bizarre kids TV show. Brilliant. It’s now the slow catch your breath bit, acoustic guitars for ‘My Favourite Room’ that turns into singalong time, with the tried and tested snippets of ‘You’re Gorgeous’ and ‘Half the World Away’. There’s been many highlights, but for me they hit perfection with ‘There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)’. It would be a great finale, but they seem to have made a rod for themselves always letting ‘Charlemagne’ have the last spot. It’s led in by a really intriguing Pet Shop Boys influenced intro. They’ve been doing this stuff all night, linking segments and I’m all for it. As the crowd pleasing synth line kicks in phones are up and the die hard kids down the front lose their minds. This is what great bands do. Bring massive gigs with thousands of people together. It’s special, it’s beautiful. Tonight, it’s Blossoms.
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