R Weekender Manchester. 08/04/22

 08/04/22 - Retro bar, Manchester

Friday nights show was a very last minute booking. But after a short trip to Manchester I was at the Retro bar just off Oxford Road, this venue is not too far from previously written about venues YES and Factory251. For the event, Retro had bands on in the bar itself and also bands down on the basement stage. Lots of noise!!!! This write up however will focus on mostly the basement stage. As I went to see one band in particular. Without Andrew.

The Venue

Retro is a wonderful venue with loads of performance space, for the event they had bands on in the bar itself and bands on in the basement bar. I have been in this venue a few times for gigs and i just enjoy coming. The place is small but has so much space inside for gigs and performances. I add this venue onto my recommendations and hope anyone reading this sticks a gig or two on there sometime.

Pryma

First up on the basement stage was a band called Pryma. Hailing from Kent. They are a fantastic band with a lead singer that has very powerful vocals. I was blown away!!! These guys have serious talent and really give off a vibe similar to artists like Evanescence. Their set consisted of mostly original tracks but they did play a few fantastic cover songs too. Pryma are definitely ones to watch if you are interested in their music style, sound and genre. Would I see them again? Yes, I think I would if they were back in Manchester or at a show I was attending for another band. They will go far.

Social Media: @Prymabanduk

Slackrr

Slackrr are a band that I honestly didn’t think I was going to like at first when they first walked onstage. But once they started playing that opinion soon changed! They have an epic sound, pure pop punk. Hailing from Southampton near London. They got the small crowd going and really went for it during their set. I got to speak to one of the members very briefly but would love to have a chat with them again if they are ever back up in Manchester. Their original tracks sounded so good! And they even have a song coming out for a video game in the upcoming months. I can see Slackrr going far. They are even signed to a record label out in the states, I can see them getting a fan base out there too. I would defo like to go and see these guys again. Well done to Slackrr.

Social Media: @Slackrr_

Barking Poets

Barking Poets are also a band from the London area. Really nice guys who I hope to hear more of now I have seen them and know who they are. I hope they make a name for themselves in the music scene, especially around London. They recently lost their lead singer but despite this they played a fantastic set and got the crowd going. Everyone was having a great time while Barking Poets were playing. They had a few cover songs on their set list and also original music. I really enjoy hearing what bands can write and come up with themselves. You can really see and hear the time and the effort that gets put into each song. Would I see them again? Yeah if they were back up north again or at a show I was already attending, I think I would be excited to see them one more time. (And that bass guitar full of glitter, right up my street)

Social Media: @barkingpoets

Without Andrew

Without Andrew were the final band I got to see before I had to head off for my train. I haven’t seen this band for a whole 2 years because of covid and the usual stuff that stopped me from doing what I do best. I had the best time watching them perform and almost landed in a messy mosh pit on a very slippery floor!! It was great to see people vibing and having a great time!! Without Andrew had the best set out of everyone - yeah I’m super biased but it was amazing to see them again after so long. They played lots of originals and lots of my favourite tracks. I even went all out and wore their merch to the show!! I am most definitely off to see them all again the brief chat with them was brill and I’m so glad to have them as part of my “Band circle” Fantastic end to a brilliant night!!

Social Media @withoutandrew