FUR (photo: Georgina Hull)
-THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER-
A glimpse of summer is brought to us during this harsh winter with edgy-on-the-outside/soft-on-the-inside aesthetic from supporting band Honey Moon; familiar to that sensation you get from a lemon soother, settling your cold down, even if it’s just for a little bit. When I first saw the name of the support, Honey Moon, I didn’t clock that putting the two words together was the holiday the happy couple goes on after The Big Day. I was picturing a literal moon made of honey- which, to be honest actually makes sense to me because the imagery of a golden, glistening, dripping moon fit quite nicely with the romantic riffs they play so hypnotically to the crowd. Despite the quartet originating from London, the self-proclaimed ‘croon pop’ group find their place very easily at the Castle Hotel, Manchester.
FUR (photo: Georgina Hull)
It is then as though you’re taken time travelling back to the 50’s, with Brighton’s own five-piece FUR, who casually saunter their way to the stage to set up. The Castle Hotel’s back room as a venue couldn’t have been more fitting to the retro style that FUR has consistently maintained for the last few years of their music career – releasing their first song, ‘Trying’ in 2017 (which I did not have the pleasure of hearing tonight). The Castle is absolutely smothered in those God awful but also charismatic 60’s style flowery curtains- with dark brown wooden planks covering the walls from floor to ceiling. I feel as though I’m guest starring in an episode of Dr Who. The whole venue screams rustic – an atmosphere that compliments the evocative musical nature that radiates from FUR.
Despite FUR being a recent up and coming band, the room doesn’t seem to be big enough for their energy and spirit during their first song, ‘Him And Her’ being a track recently released in January. The Grease-style rock music that traumatised middle-aged people during the Beatles era style ambience belongs in classic films such as American Graffiti and Moonrise Kingdom. The tune has a consistent pace that ensures the crowd sways side to side as frontman Will Murray’s voice fills the room like the scene in The Shining where all the blood rushes out of the doors – weird comparison, I know, but obviously in the best way possible.
FUR (photo: Georgina Hull)
FUR’s enthusiasm, especially showcased by Harry Zwaig on lead guitar and Flynn Whelan on drums, has a tendency to make you forget where you are; it’s happy music to say the least. Music that makes you forget all the fucked up stuff that’s going on right now. It puts you in a complete trance, watching probably the trendiest group of males I’ve seen this year perform is captivating – you can’t keep your eyes off any one of them at any given point.
Don’t even get me started on how much of a high school prom bop ‘Not Enough’ delivers – is that disco ball really here or am I just imagining it? There may as well be one here, after all. Both bass from Will Tav & leading guitar from Zwaig harmonise in an eerily complimentary way; gothically, in the way where it scares you but by your own accord. For example, entering one of those haunted houses at a fair. You know that it’s gonna have you shitting bricks, but you accept it. Thrill has its way of kicking things up a notch.
FUR (photo: Georgina Hull)
Will Murray begins to purr those first few lines of ‘If You Know That I’m Lonely’ and this far too big crowd for this tiny room, erupts, chanting along- and I don’t blame them. It’s one of those songs you physically cannot help but sing along to. It’s as though FUR aren’t only putting out gorgeous sounds into the crowd, they’re leaking serotonin into the air too. Josh Buchanan on keys appears far too humble for his own good, especially with a skill set like his.
The band, despite their sweaty exterior, seamlessly flow their set through to the end of the show, including upbeat songs such as ‘Where Did All The People Go?’ easily flowing into relaxed acoustic track ‘Love Song For No One’, which evokes a sensation similar to feeling finally content on a midsummers evening. The Brighton fivesome finish with ‘Angel Eyes’, and there are no other words to describe how the whole show felt other than dazzled, amazed and disappointed they weren’t fitted into a bigger venue- because they definitely deserve one.
