Why do people go to music festivals? Decent headliners? Hopes of finding a cool new band? Because your mates are going? Or because your mates aren’t going and you need new, better mates? Why do you ask Breige? What’s it to you? Well I was pondering this as I wandered around a drizzly city on Saturday, soaking up the vibes of Manchester’s latest Psych Fest.
We were there near the beginning in 2014 and we’ve been dipping in and out ever since. Often to see a favourite, but more often to check out whatever founder Gareth Butterworth thinks is worth having a listen to these days. This time I was there to see one particular band. More on them later, but for now here’s a little round up of what we got up to…
First up, The Orchestra (For Now) in The Ritz. I caught a bit of these folks at Sounds From The Other City in May, so it was nice to hear a full set. Mr Cobane is a massive fanboy describing their compositions as ‘unique and unconventional‘. I finally understood the orchestra reference, that’s what they really are.
After watching this one band Mr Cobane was quite keen on celebrating down the pub, but as I explained, we’re here to see bands buddy, let’s see who’s on across the road. Into Gorilla we went, to catch London band Famous. Best described as sort of like The National but with more poetry and less flailing around on stage (and I say that in the nicest possible way). Quite a little revelation.
Next we were off down Oxford Road to The Bread Shed. After trying and failing to get in through two entrances we found the rather obvious correct door outside. Performing here were five beautiful barnets belonging to the members of Lana Death Ray. Harking back to a few days gone by, these rockers had a definite vibe of Stone Temple Pilots.
So far so good. I left Mr Cobane enjoying the tunes while I queue jumped into Ghost Car at The Deaf Institute. A new band to me, I didn’t know much about them until I met Mum of bassist Maeve outside. Hailing from good old Norn Iron, Sìle was able to tell me the band formed in London about 10 years ago, this set was mostly new stuff and the first track on their debut album is a banger (my words not hers).
That was a lovely warm up to arguably one of the biggest names on the line up, Nadine Shah. We found this living legend in fine fettle, stalking the stage. This was one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen at Psych Fest and for good reason. When it comes to reflecting current moods, no one does it better. There was joy at being on stage, mixed with genuine anger, frustration and sadness at current politics. Nadine showed her support for Palestine with powerful words, scathing artwork and an extremely emotional end to the set, with voices from Palestine stating their names over and over with the words “I’m still alive“.
We departed Manchester Academy and made our way back up to festival sponsors Bundobust for the Loose Articles DJ set. While most others were probably at Goat, we caught up with some lovely mates and had a little boogie to some life affirming tracks from lively duo Erin and Nat.
Then finally it was time to head to the band I was there to see, Formal Sppeedwear. This lot dropped into my emails a while ago. I listened to two tracks and promptly applied for a press pass to Psych Fest so I could see them live. Hunkered down at the front of the stage, there was a sense of anticipation in the air, while a who’s who of young bucks gathered around (TTSSFU, Westside Cowboy).
And here we get to the crux of something going on in the music scene. Lead singer and bassist Beck Clewlow breaks a string during the first song. The show is called to a halt while he rather hopefully asks if anyone has a left handed bass? Two guitars arrive from other bands, right handers though, so one practical young chap sets about donating his shoelace to lengthen a shoulder strap. A bit of community support, DIY and teamwork and off the show goes again. And thank goodness it does because this lot are playing the most danceable stuff I’ve heard all day.
Chatting to a bloke called Rob later I mention they were great, very Talking Heads. He says yes that’s why he came too, and that really they’re “more Talking Heads than Talking Heads“. I messaged the band about this later, wondering why such a lofty comparison goes unmentioned in their bios. They replied quite succinctly: “who are Talking Heads?“. Fair play lads, fair play… watch this space, we’ll probably all be going to festivals just to see this lot soon.
For the finale I remained in the stupendous Deaf Institute for the last band of the night, Big Swig. It seemed only fitting to end the day with a Psychedelic band and this one didn’t disappoint. Think Happy Mondays with more guitars, more hats and dare I say it a little bit more gyrating…
Thank you very much Psych Fest, a few new bands found, favourites enjoyed, old mates caught up with and new friends made. Keep sorting the line ups Gaz and we’ll keep turning up to listen.
Earlybird tickets for Manchester Psych Fest 2026 are on sale now.
Review and Photography by Breige Cobane
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