The Battery Farm: Gullivers, Manchester – live review

We Are Manchester presents The Battery Farm, Crude Virtue, Blob Halford and Mawpit
Gullivers, Manchester
10th September 2022

Promoter Ruth Murray has a knack of putting together some great line ups as I discovered with the eclectic Neck Of The Woods Fest a couple of months ago. Already aware of the headliners The Battery Farm I checked out the supports in advance. September’s We Are Manchester night is set to be a belter.

Kicking off the night are Crude Virtue. They’re a 4 piece punk/hard rock band lead by Liam, an enigmatic vocalist with the most severe case of St Vitus Dance since Crumpsall’s finest Freddie Garrity. It’s frantic and intense and a great start to the evening. I’m unfamiliar with most of the set however they delivery a flawless cover of Nirvana’s Territorial Pissings. One to check out again.

Next, we have Blob Halford a duo led by Lee, a Judas Priest inspired frontman, born in the USA, and brought up in Bury. From The Stooges and Guns n Roses riffs of the previous band things get heavy with an opening that Tony Iommi would be proud of. Things aren’t what they seem though and it’s quickly apparent there are levels here. While the bare-chested Lee genuinely wrestles with his guitar during lengthy instrumental workouts (check the track Outstanding) backed by drums and a wall of feedback they are punctuated by humour and moments of wisdom.

Mawpit have travelled up from Cardiff for tonight’s set. It’s their first time in Manchester since forming in 2019 and are made to feel welcome. They describe themselves as an ‘otherworldly alt-grunge three piece’ with Cait on vocals, Jordan on guitar and Aled on drums. The powerful vocals range from brooding to a primal screams which compliment the live sound perfectly. They’re a tight unit with the trio all going for it. Special mention to Aled though who attacks the drums with more ferocity than anyone I’ve seen in some time.
The standout track for me tonight was the recent single Body Approval but I’m looking forward to delving into their back catalogue.

I’ve been looking forward to seeing The Battery Farm for some time since hearing them on Nigel Carr’s Louder Than War radio show and having reviews editor Wayne Carey regularly bending my ear about them at every opportunity. If there is a ‘LTW’ type band I guess The Battery Farm are it. Visceral, uncompromising and in your face.

Tonight comes shortly after single Working Class Lad and ahead of Wooden Spoon Number, their 10th, which is out next week. The debut album FLIES is due in November. It’s been loud in Gullivers all night but things step up a gear as Ben and the lads take the stage. The sound surrounding you and providing a gut punch.

Opening with 97/91 the frontman fights through a wall of feedback before leading into the aforementioned two singles. It is a strong set as these are followed by Poet Boy and When The Whip Goes Crack. As well as the music grabbing your attention, they’re a very visual band. Dominic when not playing is clearly enjoying himself and pulling shapes and is as engaging as his brother on the mic. How bassist Paul and drummer Sam somehow effortlessly keep the rhythm going throughout the maelstrom is beyond me.

Things calm down a little and we’re offered respite with Everything Will Be OK, its spoken verses delivered through a sonic soundscape, a track being given its live debut from the new album. They close with the trio of Crude Oil Water, A Little Nothing Man and While The Black Smoke Rise. The finale sees Dom walking off through the crowd before the feedback ends, Paul dancing in a pixyish fashion around his bass and Ben staring into the crowd.

It’s gripping, slightly unsettling and yet an unforgettable experience which I’m looking forward to witnessing again soon.

~

Battery Farm will be launching their album FLIES at 33 Oldham Street Manchester on 19th November. Tickets available here

The next We Are Manchester night will be at AATMA, Manchester on 22nd October. Tickets available here

The Battery Farm are on Facebook and Twitter
Crude Virtue are on Facebook and Twitter
Blob Halford are on Facebook and Twitter
Mawpit are on Facebook and Twitter

All photos by Simon Lee – Flickr / Instagram

All words by Iain Key. See his Author Profile here author’s archive or on Twitter as @iainkey.

Source: louderthanwar.com