For those of you who are anticipating this review. Good on you. This is the type of event that should be more prominent in the music world lately.Offering a line-up of giddy talent and mixed musicians, the Communion label has spread its wings even further. The decision to include Manchester in their plans is a very wise one.

Tonight’s line-up is five strong. Maybe a little heavy, but nonetheless a decent batch of eager beavers. But (yes there’s a but) eagerness as good as it is, doesn’t always mean good music.. Keeping a crowd keen for a lengthy three and a half hours, can signal the odd yawn here and there.  Not a criticism just a warning.

It’s a steady build-up tonight. As the casual smokers stand rigid and celebrity-like outside the venues front window, blowing smoke and deriving to offer the weekend rock star cliché (on a Thursday), they almost forget the fact that inside warmth will shield the bitter Manchester breeze.

As the tinkling strings of the ukelele ignite further warmth, we’re treat to a nice easy-going invitation to enjoy the tones of Rachel Hillary’s acoustic and folk vibes. A trendy thing of late. Ever since the Mumford breakout every man and his dog wants a slice of the unique vision they apply. And that’s the problem here. As second band Naymedici summon the crowd forward with their whisky Celtic tones and arm locking vibes, they do persuade me to give an applaud of appreciation. However, at the back of my mind I feel a slight niggle of annoyance. Fair enough, you’re going down the route that seems to please many, myself included, but instead of picking old parts and adding a mildly useless spin, there should be a meatier foundation. Naymedici have no doubt got a great sound, but there are minor implications the could delude a crowd.

Going forward, and for me, act of the night, Saul Ashby rocked his curly socks off. Playing his sounds of stripped, boneless indie, he is a talent worth listening to. Putting a very basic, yet iconic style forward Saul has the ability to inflict his tones further. Recent single ‘Debutantes’ is a great sample of this. A feisty, yet fine track that offers a ‘What it says on the tin’ moment.

The Projectionists label themselves as “Manchester’s newest supergroup.” This is a bold claim yet given time I may allow them to  wear it. There was a vast mix of genres to  their work and overall I enjoyed the performance , but I would like to  see what direction they want to  go down as it was very varied and you found yourself wondering if they know what sound suits them best

After the odd sigh and shuffle to and from the bar, headliners, Louise and the Pins ready themselves to insure a great end to the night. Thankfully, we’re now getting somewhere.. They deliver a steady, mellow approach in their live performance.. Mainly you’ll be getting burlesque vibes from the prominent array of finely clothed women. But you’ll also get a nice flutter of feminine frolics. They are a band to look out for. And recent single ‘Bell Jar’ stands firmly tamed to sponge applaud.

Words by Ashley Spink