THE Star and Garter is an iconic Manchester venue and nights like these go a long way to explaining why. The diverse lineup is opened by local emo dreampop act, Sprinters.
The Manchester band’s debut LP is set to release May 5th on Icecapades, and the jangly, drowsy atmosphere of lead single “Figure It Out” is more than enough to whet the crowd’s appetites.
Next up is London based sad boy, Saam Owen, also known as Pet Cemetery. The act features Elliot Humphreys of Cop Graveyard on the drums, which he plays stood up, a visually interesting move that does somewhat hamper his timing, though given the lo-fi nature of the show this is easily forgiven. Vocalist/guitarist Saam’s singing is sadly a little too low in the mix, but it’s clear that he has a great voice regardless. Their on-stage banter might be limited to discussing films he’s seen recently, but Pet Cemetery definitely give the crowd something to smile about whilst on stage.
Times for tonight
Doors open – 7.30@sprintersband – 8.00
Pet Cemetery – 8.30@tvgirlz – 9.00
Elvis Depressedly @tastymask – 9.40£10 OTD pic.twitter.com/54CXSMLJOC
— Icecapades (@iiicecapades) April 25, 2017
If Pet Cemetery give us something to smile about, TV Girl get everyone downright grinning. Their sample ridden, LCD Soundsystem inflected dance-rock might be out of place on the DIY bill, but TV Girl couldn’t seem more at home on stage. Throughout their set they offer out free vinyl to an eager crowd, who don’t seem to stop dancing throughout. Technically, both singers are note-for-note to their recorded output, despite an energetic stage presence. They might be the band of the evening; the crowd is in the palm of their hands, the energy doesn’t stop and the tunes are fantastic throughout.
Headliners Elvis Depressedly take to the stage at the relatively late time of 9:40. The band snap right into first gear, the North Carolina natives saving little time for pleasantries, instead playing through a morose set of classics and new tunes alike including “Angel Cum Clean,” from last years’ “Holo Pleasures” extended rerelease along with others from their back catalogue including “N.M.S.S.”
These tracks get the crowd murmuring, not singing, along – you can tell the songs mean a lot to the gathered audience, but they don’t scream or shout about it, they simply nod along and applaud politely when the songs come to an end. It’s a great show from a great band, but Elvis’ lo-fi pop seems slightly lifeless following the energy from TV Girl.
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