Easter Weekend meant it was time for Manchester Punk Festival! Now, in its tenth year, MPF is continuing to go from strength to strength. Spread across several different venues, they always deliver a diverse and exciting line-up that really shows how the punk scene is thriving at the moment.
As with any good festival, it was impossible for me to see and review every band I wanted to – I did my best to catch as many as possible. Some tough sacrifices had to be made – one of the great things about festivals is that everyone’s weekend will be slightly different, so here’s a look at how mine went…
I decided to start my weekend in a packed-out Yes! Basement to catch Sheffield riot grrrl punks Skint Knees. I’ve been a fan of Skint Knees for a while now so, for me, this was a perfect way to kick things off.
Their set was fast and tight, with Jinx encouraging everyone to shout-along with Cheerleader (“One! Two! Three! Four! How long til I’m called a whore?”), before jumping into the crowd herself for the final chorus. They also played a new song, which sounded amazing – I hope they record it at some point.
Like many of the bands playing this weekend, they took a moment to voice their support for the trans community, after the recent Supreme Court decision. There was a palpable sense of community within the room whenever this happened which, as cheesy as it sounds, that’s what punk is supposed to about.
Skint Knees ended their set with Shut Up, dedicating it to “transphobes and homophobes”. It was great to see them play to such a packed room, hopefully we’ll see them at MPF again!
Next up, it was London’s GLU in The Pink Room, with their unique blend of punk, grunge, psychedelic, and surf. They released their debut album, These Rotting Flowers, in February, and it was great to experience the intensity of some of those songs live. Heaven Is A Television was a stand-out for me but, to be fair, I’m biased because that’s my favourite song of theirs. Doesn’t make me wrong though!
Also in The Pink Room this afternoon, a relatively new band, Mere Amore. With only a couple of singles under their belt, they’re already making a name for themselves. They command the room’s attention with their angsty, grungey (at times almost stoner-ish) sound. Recent single Melmac was a particular standout, with the lyrics “open your eyes with cocktail sticks” filling the room and demanding the crowds attention.
Over to Gorilla now, for the chaotic energy of Manchester’s own Follow Your Dreams. Impossible to define, but a lot of fun, FYD have gained a strong following, and are a staple band when it comes to MPF. The band are clearly having a great time as they tear through their set, with frontwoman Kaz chatting to the crowd between songs. Proving that MPF is like one big family, Kaz tells us that her Mam is in the crowd – she looks to be having a lot of fun too, even getting involved in the circle pit and having a cheeky crowdsurf!
Next up, it’s Darlington hardcore punks In Evil Hour, over at The Union. The sound is amazing, showcasing just how talented the whole band are. Alice’s powerful vocals make sure everyone is listening, backed up by Bad-Religion-esque harmonies.
Lastly for me today, it’s back to Gorilla for Millie Manders and the Shutup. Millie Manders is an icon of the current UK punk scene, and pulled in a large crowd, as always. With a Palestine flag proudly displayed at the front of the stage, they play a good mix of earlier material and, of course, last years release Wake Up, Shut Up, Work features heavily. There are plenty of great sing-a-long moments – Bitter has everyone shouting along as Millie’s passionate anger energises the crowd.
Not ones to shy away from difficult topics, the band also throw in some serious moments aongst the fun. Me Too, as the title might suggest, talks about the reality of being a rape and/or abuse survivor, while Can I Get Off looks at the emotional toll of living in a world where so many atrocities are being committed everyday.
Their set honestly flew by and, as tired as I was by that point, I didn’t want it to end. Luckily for me, MMATSU are an incredibly hard-working band, and play live frequently – do yourself a favour, and catch them next time they’re playing near you. I was already a fan, but they somehow turned me into an even bigger fan by the time they left the stage.
It’s a perfect way to end my first day of the festival – Day Two review coming soon!