Shaun Ryder | Rolla: Factory 251, Manchester
Friday 7th October – live review
Shaun Ryder returns to his spiritual home of Factory after 11 years since his last solo stint. He’s still got that magic Manc touch as Wayne AF Carey discovers on a rain swept night in town…
I only found out about this gig on Tuesday and who am I to miss the opportunity to see the legend Shaun Ryder back where he belongs on stage. And not just any stage. The place where the madness of The Mondays caused carnage back in the day under the watchful eye of Anthony H Wilson. You should all know the story by now. Anyway I’ve tipped up tonight to witness a special event curated by This Feeling and Scotts Menswear, all in the aid of the mental health charity Mind and you’ll never spend a better six quid on a gig like this anywhere in town. The magic is in the air from the moment I walk into this legendary iconic place, adorned with a picture of Wilson behind the check in desk. First thing first lets check out the support band.
There’s a big buzz in the air for Rolla. They seem to have brought a huge crowd in for their energetic set judging by the youthful lads and lasses that make me feel like the old bastard I am. I’ve heard the rumours about this lot and I’m here to make my own mind up. Yes, they sound like The Verve / Oasis. Yes the frontman is the bastard child of a weird love triangle between Ashcroft and Gallagher. Are they any good? Fuckin’ too right they are. There are lots of pretenders to the Oasis throne yet these guys are for real. A cracking set of tight tunes from a group that are going to be massive. Anthem after anthem of stand out tunes for the huge indie brigade. Attitude from the start by James on vocals who has future rock star stomping all over his stylistic swagger, with a guitarist sporting a dodgy tache that looks out of place on purpose and a unit that rocks the place with punk attitude. Watch this space and watch them rise very fast…
Is this a coincidence that Alan Mcgee happens to be doing a DJ set? Rolla have yet to release their debut EP and with Alan’s Oasis connections there are questions hanging in the air… He plays an eclectic set of old school tunes and the kids in here are so clued in they lap it all up. A great remix of Pink Floyd’s See Emily Play sounds huge and he throws in a few Bowie classics to get the mood ramped right up for Ryder’s rollicks.
Shaun Ryder hits the stage to a massive applause with his new band which includes the brilliantly named local guitarist Seth Leppard who knows his shit on that fretboard. He airs a few tunes from his excellent album Visits From Future Technology reviewed here. A storming start of Electric Scales and loads of banter has the crowd grinning like idiots, especially when he keeps asking the drummer “What the fuck are we playing next then?” A funky as fuck Close The Dam is a highlight full of the familiar drug references, then a sexy crooning Monster has Ryder back to his best with his fractured tone as familiar as ever, which carries on with the magic of Pop Voodoo. The biggest applause of the night which threatens to blow the bloody doors off is the arrival of old time buddy Kermit for a set of Black Grape songs that sends shivers up me spine. A raucous Tramazi Party has the place bouncing and Kermit is like a loose cannon delivering his Manc rap like a lethal weapon. Shaun and Kermit are hugging each other and smiling throughout like long lost brothers once again. The set closes with the brilliance of Reverend Black Grape which is probably one of the best tunes Ryder has delivered in his career. A show stealer that has the tune still ringing in my ears as I depart the place. The only surprise of the night is no Bez. We could only but hope… Another gig of the year for the lucky few…
Please follow:
Shaun Ryder | Mind | scotts | This Feeling
Review in memory of Matt Wood’s departed friend Trixie.
Words by Wayne Carey, Reviews Editor for Louder Than War. His author profile is here
