CityLife

Kid British, Twisted Wheel

THERE'S a real festival atmosphere inside the Academy tonight that is not merely just a side effect of the recent amber sunshine being enjoyed during the day, nor due wholly to a certain amber liquid enjoyed during the evening.

The true cause of celebration is a glowing list of names on a bill that would light up even the gloomiest of Mancunians, as if The Enemy playing an intimate gig wasn’t enough, with them are two of the city’s home grown bright sparks Kid British and Twisted Wheel.  

Kicking off the carnival perfectly are Kid British, an incredibly diverse act both culturally and musically, fusing SKA influences reminiscent of The Specials with a modern indie-pop gloss.

It’s irresistible to bounce to the reggae rhythms of Let's Have A Party as the doors open.

Upcoming single Sunny Days adds to the celebratory mood with a warm Caribbean flavour mixed with contrasting youthful lyrics about beans and toast.

Lost in London is an eerie urban number, which finds the group out of their depth lyrically, simply referencing tube stations and describing a journey through the capital.

Most commuters will know that travelling home is quite boring and monotonous, so is this part of the set.

Kid British represent everything that is quintessentially British in the modern age; multicultural and multi-musical, they blend eclectic tastes both past and present into an accessible sound.

Previous single Elisabeth is the pinnacle of a performance that demonstrates the group’s proficiency when working a crowd, converting a room of casual onlookers into a room full of committed fans. 

The festivities continue with Twisted Wheel, who take their name from the old northern soul club, venerating Manchester’s past glory.

Thirty three years after the influential Sex Pistols gig in the Lesser Free Trade Hall, it is exciting to see the city’s punk roots being rediscovered and reworked by a younger outfit.

With chant’s of ‘Wheel’ already rolling around the venue before the band even emerge it’s hard to remember that The Enemy are supposed to be headlining.

When The Wheel eventually appear they give all the raw energy of the crowd right back to them.

The stabbing guitar chords of Lucy The Castle create a frantic mosh pit as plastic pint glasses go flying through the air.

The high tempo, marching drums of You Stole The Sun, complimented with rasping vocals further adds to the frenzy.

She’s a Weapon is an all out assault on what is left of the crowd’s energy.

Borrowing heavily from the likes of The Clash and The Jam, Twisted Wheel have a refreshingly retro but not outdated aura.

With a their debut album already finished and ready for release in April, it’s hard not to see them headlining this venue in the months to come. 

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