Thursday 11th November 2021: Area 11 @ Factory251 Manchester.

 Hi, just some info before I begin writing my review to you all. Sadly due to trains and time restrictions, I couldn't actually see Area 11 perform. I will however be writing about the bands I did get to watch and base it off that. I wish Area11 all the best and hope that they had a wonderful gig.

A trip down to one of my favourite venues to watch live music tonight. To mostly watch Bronnie perform with bandmates Chris Mitchell and Peter Gebbie. But I have yet again fallen for another band. Honestly please expect this in almost every blog post I write because it's going to happen A LOT!!! More on that later. 😜

The venue

The factory will always be one of my favourite venues. It's all on one floor (minus loos which are downstairs. A pain for an asthmatic like myself.) There is a full stage complete with lights and sound etc and a bar to the back of the venue. I have watched a lot of shows here and seen many different singers and bands take to the stage here and it's always a great show. Also just to quickly add in, Factory has the best quids in nights too so make sure to get down there when it's open as a nightclub, you'll be amazed. Anyways, back to reviewing gigs!

Anquitaz

The first band up onto the stage was a band called Anquitaz. Now I haven't heard of these before, but from what I heard tonight they were good. They needed vocals turning up a little bit because from where I was at the barrier, the sound was quiet (ish) anyway, they're still fantastic and if anyone likes the name then you should go ahead and check them out. Personally, not one I'd pay to see, but if I found them performing at a show I was at then I'd enjoy their set. Who knows, one day they could be a favorite of mine, but for now, I'm going to pass on them and rate them a 7. There is so much room for this band to grow and I wish them all the best for the future. I am going to drop them a follow to keep up with what they get up to and who knows, I could be travelling all over for these guys too. A huge well done Anquitaz.

Rating: 7/10

Socials:

• Instagram: @anquitazuk
• Facebook: Anquitaz
• Twitter: @Anquitaz
• Spotify: Anquitaz

Tirade

Tirade

Remember when I mentioned I had fallen for another band earlier? Well, I am now introducing you to Tirade. Due to my dyslexia and bad hearing I thought they were called tired. But maybe I was just tired. 😂 But these lads are far from tiring. They lit the stage on fire and did a fantastic set. I really enjoyed their sound and this was the part of the gig where I actually started to take photographs and a few videos. They are for future reference and for viewing pleasure over on Instagram. I really liked their sound and I just think they are fantastic. I rate them a 9. If I saw they were doing a headline show or another support slot near me I would 100% go again and get to know the band as a whole better. They have quite a following already and do attract a crowd. I don't think I would go further than Manchester just yet, but there is a possibility I will end up doing this. I managed to catch their lead singer, Jake, after the set and gave them a follow on Instagram which he was grateful for. You can tell a lot about a band that gets excited when they get a new following, it means they are a keeper. I'd like to keep following these guys and see how far they get. I again wish them the best of luck for the future and hope to see them back in Manchester in the new year and in 2022. They are the latest band to make my "ones to watch" list. A* for effort.

Rating: 9/10

Socials:

• Instagram: @tiradeboyz
• Facebook: Tirade
• Twitter: @tiradeboyz
• Spotify: Tirade

Bronnie

Bronnie

Next up was Bronnie. I have in fact seen Bronnie several times now and she comes back again and again and just gets more and more lovable and enjoyable everytime!

Once again she rocked the stage and got the entire crowd going crazy and just having the best time. I originally went for Bronnie and that is how I found out about the gig in the first place, so I hope this section isn't too biased, but I also hope more people will go and support her. Her set had a mix of new tracks and older tracks and all of them are just brilliant. I give Bronnie a 10. I'm so excited for the future! she is going to go far! I got to catch up and hang with Bronnie, Chris and Pete before and after their set and they were over the moon to see me. I just wish the set was longer but of course, I know how gigs run and slots are run very tight to meet everyone's stage time. But there is a tour in January which runs throughout the UK and Scotland. There's more info on her socials about that. I hope to see a few readers there. (if you see me and you're a reader say hi, I'm nice) I am definitely going to see Bronnie again at her headline shows in Liverpool and Manchester, (and possibly one more? who knows?) They are going to go off and they will again bring a fantastic sound and amazing energy to the stage. Plus if I get to see Mark and Jan again then I am one happy girl!!! I wish Bronnie all the best for the future and I can't wait for more shows and more single releases. Her newest single Rabbit Hole is out now to stream on all major platforms.

Setlists make fantastic souvenirs

Rating: Off the scale!!!

Socials:

• Instagram: @bronniemusic
• Twitter: @bronniemusic
• Facebook: Bronnie
• Spotify/other streaming platforms: Bronnie

Wars

Wars

The last band of the night that I got to see very briefly was a band called Wars. A fantastic band from what I could hear, sadly I am autistic and I got slightly overwhelmed this stage so moved to the back of the stage where it was quieter and there was more room. It sucks but it's how I was made and I'm proud. Anyway enough about me, more about Wars. They did a fantastic set but are a little bit too heavy for me. I really don't think this band is for me which is such a shame because I really enjoyed what I heard, but I wouldn't want to burden anyone with sensory overload at every show. If they were to be at a show I was at again I would defo enjoy them being there and I would make sure I had a good time and hyped up their set. But that would have to be it I'm afraid. This isn't going to affect their rating, however. I am giving them an 8 because this is a gig review blog not reviewing how well my sensory overload is at a show. I will give them a follow on social media and follow them from there and try and make myself known to them because they are another hidden gem that needs support and need people to check them out. I hope one day to see them live again and have earplugs at the ready! I wish them all the best of luck for the future and I can't wait to see what this band has in store next. Well done to Wars.

Rating: 8/10

Socials:

• Instagram: @weareallwars
• Facebook: Wars
• Twitter: @weareallwars
• Spotify: Wars