Dec 7

Years End Festival. 7th December 2024

There’s quite a lot going against Years End Festival today. I’ve had some work to do which has meant I’ve missed the first few hours, there’s a full on storm raging outside and truth be told, the line up doesn’t feel quite as strong this year.

I’m here though first for The Mercians in Gorilla. They’re not bad, full throated indie rock. I suspect some members maybe more rock than others, with leather pants and polka dot haircuts. The singer has a descent set of lungs on him. It’s a small but enthusiastic crowd, people up on shoulders, others dancing around. It’s fun and they’ve got a few decent songs, but I don’t think they’re quite for me, a bit too sugary.

The Castells in Thirsty Scholar aren’t much of a departure to be honest. They lean a bit heavy on the riffs, but there’s still plenty of pop hooks. Big choruses that are enjoyed down the front. I’m a sucker for some crisp electro drum pads though, that get deployed mid-set on a track that really opens up. They also go a bit nu metal in places, but generally the more they play the more I like them.

A quick pitstop in Mother Mary’s for some trance like electro pop with Bon is a bit of a curve ball. The stuff with vocals and a bit of guitar is much better, but the core is beats from a desk of dizzying switches. I’m intrigued to listen further, but it’s a bit bland live.

I’m winging it with this line up really, catching bits here and there due to not really knowing many names on the poster. We catch the tail end of Orphan Boy upstairs at Deaf Institute, who remind me of a slightly heavier Little Man Tate with a slice of Libertines

Downstairs, I’m not sure what language Sudden Lights are singing in to begin, but they’re from Latvia so that explains things. It turns out they were the Latvian entry for Eurovision, which you weren’t expecting were you, but it explains why there’s a few folk singing every word. There’s also a load of arseholes chatting at the bar, but that’s not unusual these days, crowds are getting worse I’m sure of it. If you don’t like one song, stick with them, they bounce around genres a lot and you’re bound to land on something that ticks your box.

Upstairs Apollo Junction finally get going, the stage is running 20 minutes late which is a shame when you’re trying to pack as many sets in as possible. They still sound good, despite playing without their guitarist. They’ve got some really good songs and are the first band of the day to get my head bobbing.

Downstairs again (staying dry), Ivan and The Parazols are sporting some impressive stagewear. Military jackets, bell bottom velvet flares, satin shirts. It’s flamboyant and they’re bloody brilliant. 70s rock n roll, massive riffs, a Hammond organ and the singer, presumably Ivan, sounds fucking awesome. High kicks and boatloads of swagger, they’re my favourite band of the day inside 60 seconds. There’s five of them on stage and it can barely contain them. “We’re from Hungary, this is our first time in Manchester, hopefully not our last”. I hope so too. This day has needed some real fucking bite to get it going and this lot are deadly.

A quick walk up the road sees us back in Gorilla for headliners Spector. This is the biggest crowd I’ve seen today, but it’s far from full. I can only assume the weather has put people off. Fred takes to the stage, beer held aloft, basking in the adulation and launches into ‘Never Fade Away’. It’s like a time machine rolling back the years, even with a few technical wobbles it’s wonderful. The sound is a bit dodgy to be honest, but when you’ve got songs like ‘Celestine’ in your arsenal it doesn’t really matter. Strobe lights explode, limbs fly, it’s like the good old days. The crowd is very young though which is encouraging. Even though I’m most familiar with the first two records, they’re on their fifth now and have clearly kept appealing to a growing audience. Fred still looks like a trendy geography teacher, but the years have been good to him too. He looks the same as he did a decade ago. There’s not really anyone who sounds like Spector. Soulful heart-warming indie pop bangers is their thing and even the songs I don’t know so well sound glorious. Fred’s still a captivating performer, he puts a real shift in. Overcoats and jackets are shed, I’m starting to wonder how far he’ll go as they rip into ‘Catch You on the Way Back In’. It’s a face melting stomper with a big ominous bass throb. It’s joyously a bit ramshackle as every great set should be, but I wasn’t expecting an impromptu rendition of ‘Feed the World’ lead by an audience member after Fred hands over the mic. It’s pretty good. Not ‘Chevy Thunder’ good though. This was always a massive tune, although Fred does milk it a bit too much as he takes to the floor. Eeek it out yes, but don’t let it drag. When the band finally kick back in it’s great, but they should’ve extended this bit, not the teasing pauses. Balance is important. As They close with ‘All the Sad Young Men’, it’s pure celebration. Everyone jumping, singing. They’re worthy headliners and it’s a pleasure to be in the room with them again.

There’s just time to leg it back to Deaf Institute to catch the end of King No-One, who seem fun and are most notable for the singers climbing skills. I’ve been in Deaf countless times, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone swinging from the balcony before. He eventually makes it back to the stage with an impressive leap, even more spectacular considering the stacked heels he’s wearing. Not long after, he’s up on the bar. Lad doesn’t like being confined that’s for sure.

That’s it then. I managed 9 bands in the end. Happy with that after my late start. See you next year.