Stepping into Manchester Psych Fest this year, I didn’t know what to expect. This was my first proper dive into the genres on show, and while I came in a little unsure, the warm, welcoming atmosphere quickly had me at ease. The day kicked off with a rare glimpse of Manchester bathed in glistening sunshine, which set the tone for what turned out to be an unforgettable experience.
Watch our feature video on the festival below 👇
Here are our top moments of the festival.
First up was Georgian, who had me glued to the front of the stage in the O2 Ritz basement. Their sound is hard to pin down - a haunting mix of spaghetti western eeriness wrapped in an ethereal glow. Imagine riding through a desert on a ghostly horse, the wind wails in the distance and lonely foggy mist comes rumbling in, and as the moonlight tickles the sierra Nevada mountains you grasp the essence of their performance. Painfully beautiful.
We sat down with Georgia before her set - Photos by Jay Fisher
From our conversation with Georgia beforehand, it’s clear she knows exactly where the band is headed. Focused yet friendly, Georgia’s presence on stage is magnetic, and if the hints of new music are anything to go by, we’ll be hearing a lot more from the band soon. The intimate setting was perfect for now, but don’t be surprised to see them on much bigger stages soon. It’s only a matter of time.
The day was busy, full of walking.
the lines for outside were already gaining tract for their opening at 2pm - by 1:30 outside of the O2 Ritz the queue hugged the side all the way around to Oxford Road. Lucky us eh, get to skip the queues 🤫. Half pints in hand, we looked on from across the road at Dog Bowl and sat down with Georgian. we came across her one song that is out of her platform, "Big Lips in Leather" and my oh my, did we fall head over heels for her sound. one song, thats all i took.
One of the highlights of the day was catching Mdou Moctar on the main stage at the O2 Ritz. My co-host Will was the one who first introduced me to their music, and though he couldn’t make it to the festival, I was excited to finally see them live. From the moment they stepped on stage, it was clear the crowd was hyped - fans were fizzling with anticipation and Mdou Moctar did not disappoint. Their sound is a brilliant combination of Tuareg guitar rhythms and Saharan blues, layered with psychedelic riffs and an intense groove. It’s unlike anything else, and it instantly pulls you in. Their performance was tight, full of energy, and exceeded the high expectations I had going in. Even without Will by my side, it was an experience that left a lasting impression.
Then there was Wax Head - the kind of band that makes you feel like you’ve just been hit by a freight train of energy. Playing at The Deaf Institute, their punk-infused garage psych rock infected the crowd - saying we were entertaining is an understatement. They’re big on DIY ethos, and it shows in the raw authenticity they bring to everything they do. Sitting down with them showed us their youth quality and Taoist flow, truly passionate about their craft they find Manchester music scene incredible at the moment, and one to look out for One fan summed it up best after the set, calling Wax Head "A breath of fresh air for the Manchester scene." That level of connection between the band and the crowd was made even stronger by the close-quarters atmosphere of the venue - it was impossible not to get caught up in the chaos, trying to keep still to capture footage was proved difficult. Their Interview with us will be out soon, but to keep your interest peaking, go and listen to them here. "Jaws Wired Shut" is a shout.
As the sun set demurely on Manchester's rugged streets, an energy brewed in the shadows. Being lured from Deaf Institute, we followed the sound emanating from Bread Shed. I didn't know there was a whole venue at the back of this innocently placed pub. It was the Black Doldrums who tempted our ears. Their set was enchanting, deep and dark. looking them up after they say they make "... a contemporary form of Gothic Post-Punk. Instantly sold. we listed to their newest Single "Hideaway" and we loved it. highly recommend to check these guys out!
Hello Mary delivered a different kind of journey. Their sound - a dreamy fusion of shoegaze and grunge - was a slow build that pulled the crowd in and kept them hooked. Playing in the basement at YES, we had the pleasure of speaking with them before their set. The trio shared their excitement about supporting American Football on their upcoming UK tour, another band who we LOVE. Jealous. You could see their eyes light up talking about UK crowds; they made a point of saying people here seem to actually "watch " the gigs, compared to American audiences who are often glued to their phones. I have to say, though, the sunshine probably threw them off a bit - they seemed to love the bright weather and scenery, oblivious to the fact that gloomy skies are more the norm in Manchester. It made for a cool contrast, and I’m really excited to see where they take their music next.Â
Looking at our watches we screamed "Shit" as Altin Gun had already started their set at Albert Hall - we were at YES... we sprinted, nae - ran down the road in the hopes of catching a final 15 mins. Arriving to a swarm of people, we clambered up the THREE flights of stairs to see them play from the Gods. It was well worth it. A beautiful combination of Psych and Anatolian Rock, Altin Gun filled the stunning Art Noveau guilds of Albert Hall with their brilliant sound. The people were dancing, the band was electrifying. They absolutely stunned us and I am not a sound follower of their music, but still unsure as to the pronunciation of their name.
My editor suggested to see Temples. A Psych-Rock band from... Kettering. Brilliant. I think she's drawn by their nostalgic rock that she listen to her early twenties. The venue, a bit out of the way, was the MMU Students Union. We rapidly walked down Oxford road, arriving to an absolutely packed out venue. People were spilling out of the doors to see Temples, and I quickly found out why. They were playing their 'Sun Structures' Album for a ten year anniversary celebration. People knew the songs, they weren't fucking about. Some ruckus in the crowd however did turn us off, three middle aged men singing Oasis... all we wanted to hear was "Shelter Song" - time and a place lads. We quickly left promplty after and did not manage to see their finished set which did leave a sour taste.
Beyond the bigger names, we managed to catch some fantastic grassroots acts across Manchester’s iconic venues like YES, Albert Hall, and The Deaf Institute. Each space added its own unique flavour, showcasing just how much the psych scene has to offer from all angles.
Now, let’s talk logistics. While the festival’s vibe was largely positive, getting around wasn’t so smooth. The venues were pretty spread out, and with sets happening in quick succession, hopping from one to another sometimes felt like a mad dash. Luckily, our press passes meant we skipped the queues, but I can imagine for most punters, that combo of distance and waiting in line could’ve been a bit of a grind. Maybe spreading things over two days could’ve given everyone a bit more breathing room?
All in all, Manchester Psych Fest was a blast - raw, experimental, and full of unexpected moments. Here’s hoping next year brings the same eclectic energy, with a few tweaks to smooth out the flow. One thing’s for sure: we’ll be back, ready to dive even deeper into the psych cosmos.
And of course, as always, we’ll see you at the front.Â
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