SPANGLED LIVE REVIEW | GORILLA, MANCHESTER |”THIS WAS SPANGLED’S DERBY DAY” NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Spangled are a band that represent everything that’s good about the emerging music scene in Manchester. Their sound and style reference the plethora of incredible artists which have come before them just enough to pay homage, without falling into the trap of corny imitation. All the while still retaining the fun, hedonistic attitude that has become synonymous with one of the UK’s most musical cities.

One striking thing about Spangled is the scale of the support which the band have accumulated, even whilst still at a relatively early point in their careers. Despite only forming in 2019, the band’s relatable lyrics and ‘everyone’s welcome’ house party-esque live shows have earned them an army of fans up and down the country- who are of course generously represented in their hometown of Manchester.

Earlier this month we were invited down to watch the band play their biggest headline gig yet, a packed out show at Manchester’s underground indie hotspot, Gorilla. This night was made extra special as the band were awarded the honour of reopening the prestigious venue after Gorilla was forced to close unexpectedly for ‘essential works’ back in April.

Swaggering on to the stage clad in the football shirts of the city’s two beloved teams, to the unmistakable psychedelic instrumental intro of We’ll Always Have Neptune, the room erupted into cheers. This grand entrance was of course accompanied by lead singer Ben Johnston’s ever increasingly expressive dance moves, which would give even fellow Manc legend Bez a run for his money. From the very first note it was clear that the band were here to play the best show of their lives; this was Spangled’s derby day.

The band moved straight into Greenhill Superstar, a fan favorite from 2022’s mini album ‘Chasing Nebulas’ with the front row enthusiastically singing the words right back at the stage. This followed seamlessly into the energetically jangly Headspace, which really flung the crowd into action, the pit bouncing along to Niall McGovern’s funky bassline.

The outrageously fun Charlie Hills continued the chaos, as the show really got into full swing, with Ben Johnston careering around the stage and winding up his band mates, pausing to belt out everyone’s favourite lyric:“Has anybody told him that his breath stinks? .. just brush your fucking tongue mate”.

There was a brief interlude in the mosh pits for the uncharacteristically sensitive ballad, That Farm in Dunham, one of the band’s only love songs, but a song which is by far one of their best. The love for this song and its raw emotion was clear to see as the room filled with friends hugging and climbing onto each other’s shoulders.

The atmospheric and moody psychedelia of Drift Away was another highlight of the set, coming before the band treated their most loyal fans to a rendition of early single Crossbar Challenge.

Smile Forever marked an incredibly moving acoustic moment in the set, with best friends and band mates Ben and Jamie sitting arm in arm on the front of the stage, dedicating the song to Guitarist Jamie’s mum, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The song merged into The Smith’s classic There is a Light That Never Goes Out, a beautifully powerful tribute.

The final three songs of the set ended the show in a suitably energetic fashion, with latest single Little Tom – once described by lead singer Ben as “a hype tune for one specific person”, being met with riotous cheers. This was followed by the anthemic Good Life Better and Cosmic Vibrations which brought the homecoming show to a triumphant end and sent the crowd off singing into the night.

What is charming about spangled is they really do treat absolutely everyone like a long-lost friend and took time after the show to sit and chat with the crowd and take pictures. It’s bands like this that really have the ability to connect with their fans, something which music lovers in 2023 crave. In a post covid and increasingly disconnected world, to see people coming together and connecting on a genuine level through a love for music is an incredible thing to see.

Spangled will play their first ever show in Paris this Friday 1st December, supporting The Royston Club at Super Sonic, before returning to home soil for shows in Scunthorpe and London. Head here for tickets.

Read our interview with Spangled at Truck Festival here.