Millie Manders and The Shutup
Halloween weekend got under way on Friday and, at Norwich's B2, it was the opening night of local ska-punk band Millie Manders and The Shutup's long-awaited national tour. It was not surprising, therefore, to arrive early at the venue to find it already buzzing with anticipation.
Kaves are openers, described as a rock band but also embracing styles and influences from metal to pop to rap to grime. With an arresting power and clarity in the voice of Caitlin Mapes, and with Tim Frost thrilling on guitar and Mia Webster rousing on bass, Kaves' enthusiasm is nothing short of infectious. Even when Frost breaks a string at the end of God's Gift the band's confidence is undented, and another two songs are carried with instinctive trooper spirit whilst Frost replaces the offending string. Closing with the breakup angst of 'I Just Want My Hoody Back', Kaves tick all the right boxes, but still seem to lack a permanent drummer. Behind the kit tonight is a guy in a Norwich City shirt, who did a pretty fine job. Perhaps they need to sign him before the game on Sunday.
The enigmatic sounding Jøra The Førtuneteller are next, a quartet who emerged via The Garage's 'Unsigned' course, and smashed it at Wild Paths Festival earlier this month. Their sound borrows from great names of decades past – you can clearly pick out elements of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Guns'N'Roses in their set, but presented with their own individual twist. With two lead guitarists up front, their sound is spectacular, as are vocals from tousle-haired Sam Howlett. These guys are surely destined for great things, and the experience of supporting on this national tour will certainly help their journey.
The room is rammed by the time Millie Manders, together with James Pendle (guitar), Georgina Boreham (bass), and Alessandro Vitiello (drums) take the stage and launch into 'Right To Life', the opening track off MMATSU's 2018 EP release 'Shutup'. It is a mighty example of their machine-gun style of ska-punk, with punchy vocals, massive hooks and choruses, and a glorious brassy sound that, disappointingly tonight, arrives by way of a pre-recorded backing track. 'Obsession Transgression' is an even earlier song which demonstrates Manders' fierce agenda in calling out both the fashion industry and media in tackling mental health issues. 'Bacchus' is a powerful reminder of our reliance on alcohol in an attempt to blot out the unpleasant realities of life, but features a chorus that becomes almost impossible not to sing along to after a couple of pints.
Much of the rest of the set concentrates on 'Telling Truths, Breaking Ties', the band's latest album, where Manders' brutal honesty is powerfully expressed in songs written and inspired from her first-hand perspective – songs of rejection, anxiety, and panic attacks, all delivered with a strong, more rock-orientated sound. There are still plenty of opportunities to let go and skank your socks off, but anger and rage, and a hunger for justice, now seem to constantly lurk just below the surface. Between songs, Manders expresses her delight at the size of the crowd, and applauds the diversity of tonight's audience, many of whom clearly see her as a champion and ally.
As we approach the final quarter of the set Manders explains that, in order to make time to meet and mix with her fans before the 11pm curfew, there will be no 'walk-off-walk-back-on' encore rituals, so instead the band close with the intensely vitriolic power of 'Bitter' before launching straight into 'Glitter' and audience favourite 'The One That Got Away'.
The opening night of this long-awaited tour was totally triumphant, performing to a passionate local audience, but also impressing those in the audience who might have been watching MMATSU for the very first time. As they travel the length and breadth of the country on this 26 date tour, spread the word, support this band, and help to exorcise those demons in the process. Even if it may be too late for Halloween.
