Northern Quarter is a playground for Fairplay Festival as it emerges as a beacon of creativity and musical celebration. Brushed against the backdrop of legendary venues such as SOUP, Gullivers, Castle Hotel, Band on the Wall, and The Peer Hat, this festival embodies the soul of the city's music scene. With its extensive lineup and grassroots ethos, Fairplay promises an brilliant day for music enthusiasts and cultural connoisseurs alike. We sent Will & Alyssa to find out more - If you want to hear something different, you're in the right place.
A: Safe to say the festival was a bloody good one. I suppose the first thing to say is they managed to organise the festival to coincide with some gorgeous weather. The sun was shining and NQ was absolutely heaving. What better way to kick off a full day of live music?
W: Yes! The first truly sunny day of the year and Manchester responded as expected. I’ve always said the English are like reverse werewolves… As soon as the sun comes out they’re ripping shirts off and going crazy.
A: Our first stop was Crimewave, one of Will's top picks. His set was at SOUP, a basement full of eager listeners at the rather unexpected time of 4pm? Now, I’m sure you’ve got something to say about this Will…but from what I’d listened to beforehand, I was not expecting the man to have a guitar.
W: I wish I could say I was but truthfully I was expecting a guy on decks. I didn’t even know if he did his own vocals though they were consistent through all his tracks. Crimewave, it turns out, uses a beat pad to cue loops that make the bulk of his songs while switching between his guitar, the beat pad, setting up the next beat on his laptop and singing. I have truly never seen anything like it and it worked to stunning effect. The concept of the one man band has evolved from a comedic moment in Mary Poppins to something not just attainable but plausible! I was lucky enough to spend some time with the man himself and you can check it out here:
(spoilers, he’s lovely!)
There was no time to waste though as I had to catch up with Lys as she got to our next stop in time for the start of Tigers & Flies.
A: I wasn’t going to miss their set for love or money!
Tigers & Flies. Wow. Simply phenomenal. They were already high on my list of anticipated acts but experiencing them live was beyond anything I imagined. And I must say, I couldn’t help but notice their impeccably coordinated outfits - looking sharp guys!
Now, I’ll confess, I have a soft spot for Ska (thanks Dad). And let me tell you, Tigers & Flies scratched that itch in the best possible way, infusing the genre with their own distinct twist. We were fortunate enough to sit down with the band after their set and I walked away even more convinced of their sound. Without giving too much away (stay tuned for the interview!), I highly recommend giving their new EP ‘Nervous Entertainment’ a listen. These guys are truly fantastic musicians (and very friendly people too!). I’ll be keeping an eye out for their next gig in Manchester - and you should too!
Fairplay Festival is more than just a series of performances; it's an ode to the grassroots venues that form the very backbone of Manchester's music scene. These iconic establishments have long been the breeding ground for emerging talent, providing a platform for artists to hone their craft and connect with audiences on an intimate level. The festival seeks to uphold this tradition by curating a lineup that champions diversity and innovation. From indie rock to electronic beats, the festival pushes these creative boundaries and showcases the breadth of talent that Manchester has to offer. By providing a spotlight for both established acts and rising stars, it wholeheartedly fosters a sense of community and collaboration, ensuring that the city's musical legacy continues to thrive.
W: Next up we headed to Manchester’s home of grassroot music, Band on the Wall for The New Eves. They were my most anticipated pick of FAIRPLAY and they did not disappoint. We arrived in time for the tail end of a lengthy sound check, which in retrospect made sense considering ¾ members of the band played multiple instruments during the set. There’s not much cooler than a drummer standing up to deliver a flute solo at multiple points in a song. The set was excellent, incredibly ethereal and very different to the acts we saw either side. In fact, I think that was one of the things I was most surprised about, every act we saw was very different from each other and there’s certainly something for everyone. It lasted all day and the value is insane!
The New Eves definitely conveyed their studio sound well, the harmonies they pull off while masterfully playing is a sight to behold and I highly recommend catching them when you can. I was disappointed that they didn’t play two of the three songs they have on Spotify (especially considering how much of a bop they are) but they did play their latest single, "Astrolabe" an when we caught up with them they did allude to more music on the way so we can look forward to that.
A: After a quick chat with The New Eves, we made a beeline for Ellie Bleach who was performing at The Peer Hat (the same venue that hosted Tigers and Flies earlier in the day). Since sharing our pre-gig favourites, I’ve found myself immersed in her tracks non-stop. It wouldn’t surprise me if she appears on my top Spotify artists list this year. Needless to say, my excitement for her performance was palpable.
And let me tell you, she delivered beyond my expectations! The whimsical storytelling and wit of her lyrics translated beautifully live, surpassing even the high expectations I had in our top picks article. Her set was theatrical and funny in all the ways we expected, keeping the entire audience engaged throughout. Will and I found ourselves right at the front, singing every lyric back to her. We even had a lovely chat afterwards and I managed to ask her a few questions about her new album ‘Now Leaving West Feldwood’. Her set was a festival’s standout moment for me.
W: She truly was something else. I wrote in our pre-gig FAIRPLAY article that a lot of the groups we were seeing were going to be taking off in the near future and while this remains true for all the acts we saw at FAIRPLAY it is especially true for Ellie Bleach and her band. They were incredibly tight and well-rehearsed, which makes sense considering this gig came fresh off the back of a tour. They were lovely people too, Lys got her hands on a signed LP and I got my hands on a shirt! Special shoutout to The Peer Hat for getting us a plastic bag to shield Lyss’ LP from the rain (You can never have just one weather in Manchester it turns out). The Peer Hat is a very cool spot, lots of quirky art and a cosy dive-esque atmosphere. Go check it out!
A: We managed to round off the night with a phenomenal performance by TaliaBle at Gullivers. I’d listed her as one of my top picks so I knew what we were in for but I think it took Will by surprise!
W: So, full disclosure, I dipped my toe into the TaliaBle pool however I obviously needed to dive in because while I was expecting a unique and energetic performance I wasn’t expecting one of the hardest live sets I’ve seen in recent memory! High energy doesn’t come close to describing TaliaBle. She was intense. We arrived to a loud soundcheck with intermittent bass and distorted guitar from TaliaBle’s master of beats, masterfully balancing what seemed to be decks, beat pads and an electric guitar with multiple pedals. Before today I’d never seen anyone combine a guitar with the usual electronic set-ups and now I’d had it twice in one day! TaliaBle sat to the side of the stage; looking brooding, moody and to be frank downright pissed off. As soon as she got the nod, on came the balaclava and off she went. She spent half the gig in the crowd with us, pitting away. My favourite moment of the gig went like this:
TaliaBle: “Right we’re gonna play a game. I gotta get to the back of the room… And you’ve got to stop me!”
Next beat drop
TaliaBle: “I’m getting to the back!”
She then proceeded to jump in the crowd and get roughed up. She did all this twice before admitting:
TaliaBle: “Okay, you guys win.”
Amazing.
I’m not quite sure how to describe her music, luckily we got the chance to sit down with her after the gig, look out for the interview coming out soon! And you know what… She was lovely! I couldn’t believe it was the same person kicking the shit out of us earlier!
A: FAIRPLAY festival was an insanely fun day and an absolute standout event! The festival offers a captivating journey through Manchester’s vibrant music scene, with an array of venues and genres to explore.
The variety of venues and musical styles showcased the richness and dynamism of Manchester’s music scene, leaving us all with unforgettable memories, a renewed appreciation for the city’s musical heritage, and undeniable excitement for its future.
When Fairplay Festival takes centre stage in the heart of the Northern Quarter, it reaffirms Manchester's status as a cultural hub and a haven for artistic expression. With its unwavering support for grassroots venues and emerging talent, it embraces the spirit of innovation and experimentation.
W: I can’t wait to go next year!
As always, see you at the front!
