Live Review: Mary In The Junkyard at Gorilla, Manchester

Shrouded in white light, the three members of mary in the junkyard silently entered the stage at Gorilla in Manchester and began playing the first song from their new album Role Model Hermit. The song, ‘Mantra III’, was stripped back and somewhat haunting with Clari Freeman-Taylor’s unique voice captivating the audience from the get go, as she stared at them almost devilishly through huge rings of eyeshadow and her wet platinum hair. This first song featured eerily beautiful violin playing from Saya Barbaglia, an instrument I didn’t expect at this show but was very happy to hear. Later in the show, Freeman-Taylor brought out another instrument I expected even less, singing along whilst playing the keys and bellows of a harmonium. Though her playing wasn’t always spot on, this Indian instrument still added a similarly spectral edge to the music.

Throughout the show, the drumming from David Addison was incredibly tight and satisfying, contrasting the sometimes haunting sound with undeniable groove. When Barbaglia wasn’t playing violin she was busy playing minimalist riffs on the bass that injected the music with tension. On top of that, she and Freeman-Taylor were constantly swapping different guitars back and forth, meticulous about the sound they wanted to create. It was clear that all three of them are incredibly talented musicians. But aside from their skill, their personalities came out on stage just as much, charming the crowd with quirky humour and great chemistry. Overall, it was a dazzling and endearing concert from a talented band comfortable with the unconventional.