As a cathartic exercise, there is nothing better than throwing yourself around to the cataclysmically loud and personable punk of SOFT PLAY.
SOFT PLAY have never been so back. Borne from the ashes of Slaves, punk’s favourite besties and two-man boy band are hitting the road in support of their new album, Heavy Jelly. Manchester Academy is packed out early doors and there is a distinct crackle of atmosphere about the place: Manchester is well and truly ‘up for it’ tonight.
Support comes in the form of Welsh punks Panic Shack, who take to the stage at bang-on 8pm and launch into a set packed with new tunes and favourites from their Baby Shack EP. They’re evocative and feminist to their core, with tunes detailing martial arts fights with sexists, the working class struggles around the cost of living and even taking aim at the industry with one new belter containing the refrain ‘I didn’t go to BRIT School, I went to tit school’. Panic Shack have grown from punky upstarts into serious alternative prospects: new guitars and new energy around the group gives the impression of big things coming for PS.
Before long, it’s time for the main event: the lights drop and Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust For Life’ blasts around the jam-packed Academy. SOFT PLAY emerge to the dulcet, orchestral tones of ‘All Things Bright’ to rapturous applause: Holman crashes his kit and all hell breaks loose – the carnage doesn’t stop until the whirling feedback of their closing number subdues.
‘Mirror Muscles’, ‘Isaac Is Typing’ and ‘Bin Juice Disaster’ are highlights from the first third of the show, with every number coming from the exceptional Heavy Jelly. ‘Fuck The Hi Hat’ is a perfect moment of chaos, with both members making their way into the crowd. Pits open up left, right and centre with SOFT PLAY fans launching into each other with abandon – there are crowd surfers every song, some of the biggest circle pits you’ve ever seen and a perfect sense of utter carnage. It’s everything you could possibly want from a SOFT PLAY gig.
‘Sockets’ and ‘Spit It Out’ are throwback tunes from the band’s first two records, ‘Punks Dead’ sounds just as fresh as it did when it dropped 18 months ago, and Holman’s flow on ‘Worms On Tarmac’ is exceptional live. There’s a moment of sonic whiplash when the incendiary, short sharp punk of ‘Girl Fight’ goes into the visceral melancholy of ‘Everything and Nothing’. It’s a gorgeous moment, and one that showcases the breadth of SOFT PLAY’s talent.
It’s a set packed with crowd surfing, mosh pits and colossal levels of chaos – as a cathartic exercise, there is nothing better than throwing yourself around to the cataclysmically loud and personable punk of SOFT PLAY. Vincent’s riff-work is exceptional, and the physical and musical chemistry of himself and Holman makes this band: it’s everything you could want from a modern punk show.
Featured image: Jude Harrison
