As We Are The Ocean commence phase 2 of their careers with their game changing album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ (that we gave a brilliant 4.5/5 to) they knock it down a notch on the touring circuit, playing smaller venues such as the Deaf Institute in Manchester. Probably between 200 to 300 capacity, if that. Yeah, it was small and sold out and a brilliant intimate venue for the night at hand.
Photos by J Leadbetter.
First up were acoustic folk punk Great Cynics, playing to a room slowly filling up. The majority of the audience had an average age of 15 and had been queueing for quite a while, but this doesn’t change anything. The band showcase their usual bout of cheeriness as singalongs are dealt out to the GC faithful. Fine form from the three piece as they play older and newer songs. The younger than usual audience get into the set and we even have two dancing girls dancing in whatever way they can. Great Cynics play songs that anyone can get into and enjoy and tonight certainly showed it. (3.5/5)
Photos by J Leadbetter.
If Great Cynics seemed like a possibly odd choice of support for the night by the crowd then they clearly didn’t know who Giants were. Leaping and bounding around on the stage for their entire set time to a very unsuspecting crowd. A few Giants fans claim ground more towards the centre of the room and showcase some moves for the gents on stage who seem very appreciative. As Giants’ music moves about as much as their own bodies between the melodic and heavier sides of hardcore, so do the faithful in the crowd, surging closer and closer and claiming the mic many times within the last song, as well as a singalongs and clapping that everyone can get into. Much respect to Giants for gaining crowd response and encouraging their own fans to get the show more and more in a crowd that was pretty far from their usual audience. (4/5)
Photos by J Leadbetter.
Even if you couldn’t see the confidence flowing from the band, you’d know they were onstage by the rapturous applause from the crowd. As if it wasn’t clear via the new album it’s shown on stage that Liam fills the role of frontman so effortlessly it’s untrue. As the band launch into ‘Machines’ they’re hindered with some technical difficulties which would have otherwise been a mighty start to the campaign of the new songs. Old songs are showcased in a new light as vocal duties are shared and give the songs a revitalised breath of life. And honestly, I was genuinely worried that the floor was going to give way as the front half of the room was pounding, dancing and jumping away in every direction and with every limb that they could. (4.5/5)
A varied but very good night had by all, showcasing British talent that’s tough to beat. Good luck seeing We Are The Ocean in a small venue like this again.
4/5
Words by Mikey Brown (@MikeyMiracle). Photos by J Leadbetter.