– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER –
The Deaf Institute is the home to all things band at the moment. I find myself checking their online diary to see who is playing, and then immediately checking them out and sorting out heading to the gig. This last week I discovered Strange Boys, listened to a few songs, which I enjoyed and decided to go and see them.
As I arrive into what now feels like a second home, the atmosphere is initially great. Everyone looks like their enjoying themselves and I even hear people talking about how excited they are to see Strange Boys, who are back in the UK after touring in the US.
They open with my personal favourite ‘Me and You’. Ryan Sambol (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica) has a subtle sexy voice, and it’s great to hear alongside the upbeat musical background of the band. I’m so pleased it’s just as good live, and everyone is going crazy for them. What I’m getting from this gig is a festival vibe, and also each song is reminding me of a lot of random scenes. I shall explain; the song ‘We Both Know’ is taking me to a lazy Sunday afternoon, just chilling out laying on the grass in the park, on a hot summers day. I could honestly say that each song takes me somewhere, a lot of the time; if I’m honest I do feel like I’m in an American Diner.
When Sambol gets out his harmonica I get so excited. I think if instruments had feelings this would be the kindest, friendliest one. ‘I See’ is one of the songs that incorporates the harmonica into it. As a lover of all things harmonica, I really enjoy this song, if you’re not I don’t think you’ll like it to be honest. The best thing about it is looking around at everyone else enjoying the gig; someone is even on their friends shoulders raving it up to the folky beat of these Texas boys.
Now I don’t mean to sound depressing, but this whole night reminds me of being in a rocky relationship (emotionally up and down). I think it’s the excitement of first entering the venue, and feeling the atmosphere, and the initial song being great. There are points of the night that the music just isn’t engaging, and as I mentioned before I seemed to get more out of watching everyone else enjoying the band instead of loving it myself. I think it’s pretty fair to say that a lot of the songs are the same. Having said that as you can see I did get a lot out of just being here, which proves that it’s not just the band that makes the night, it’s the condiments if you will that assist in the enjoyment!
I'm a northern bird that appreciates all the lovely sounds this city has to offer. What I love about gigs, is that not only the music but the venue and atmosphere can create such a vibe that it takes you somewhere else.
