Small venues and big bands are always going to be a recipe for success….. and tonight was right up there, in one of the most intimate and ridiculously raucous gig experiences ever.
The Amazons were in town, on the first night of their upcoming 21st Century Fiction Tour, their 4th and latest album.
The tour takes in 6 superb locations of which are perhaps not usually seen on a bands tour schedule, but my word…. on the basis of the gig on this night at the Pink Room, YES in Manchester, they have been chosen just perfectly.
Nestled just off the bustling Oxford Road, the PINK Room (which is exactly what it is) is a tiny but quirky venue. Low ceilings and a modest carpeted stage, with barely an inch separating the band from the gig goers.
Upon entering the compact room, it instantly felt like tonight was going to be special. No fuss, no over the top security, no gimmicks…… just a stage, fans, bar and a small pop-up table, tucked neatly in the corner selling impressive looking merch. What more is needed?
First up on the night was the hugely talented Fiona-Lee, who accompanied by just her guitar and stunning voice, captivated the crowd with a beautiful and emotive set. There were plenty of people already in the venue to see her, of which is what I believe is a must at any gig, and they were treated to the delicately special songs that have been so wonderfully crafted by Fiona and she delivered them confidently.
It seamlessly set up the evening and she is definitely someone to check out and support.
After a swift turnaround of equipment and instruments, the Amazons were to enter the stage.
The Amazons, with 3 outstanding albums behind them, start the extensive journey of promoting and performing their way up to the release of their next, "21st Century Fiction" released on 9th May 2025.
And it began in Manchester. And WHAT a start.
The band entered the stage to the first released single off the new Album, "Living a Lie" which is a wonderful opener to any gig. A delicate, shadowy and eerie female voice opens the song, followed by a mighty and authoritative bass smashing its way in. Matt Thomson, the striking lead singer, made his way onto the stage following the other band members and towered over the audience. A real leading presence, he opened up with the opening lyrics of what is to be a real demonstration of rock, energy and passion.
In what sounds like a change in direction in their new album, whilst retaining their heavy rock and heavyweight loaded guitar riffs, there appears to be a darker and mysterious feel about the new album…. with 6 of tonight's setlist coming from their yet to be released album.
Both "Living a Lie" and "Pitch Black" have already been released to stream and splendidly join tonight's set of new tracks with "My Blood", the outstanding "Joe Bought a Gun" "Wake me up" and "Night after Night"
The new tracks were all incredibly received by the crowd and genuinely gives a sense of optimism and direction of the band’s direction, who clearly and evidently adore what they do.
The Amazons are captivating, brilliantly talented and create powerful and anthemic music that cannot fault to get anyone singing and dancing, of which there was plenty of that.
Of what was already a sweaty and emotionally filled room, following some classic tracks including, "In my Mind" "Doubt it" and the imperious "Dark Visions", there was a notable shift in the room. "Mother" entered the evening,….. like a juggernaut smashing its way onto the stage. It generated a frenzy, a mass of shouting, dancing and flailing limbs that following the end of the song, Matt shouted… “now this is a fucking gig”.
It escalated into something that every single person in the room, whether consciously or not, got pulled into the experience of an Amazons gig. So much so, in the songs that followed, lead singer Matt launched himself on more than one occasion into the crowd. He admitted in a social video, released in the aftermath of the gig, stated that he has not done such a thing in 8 years and described the gig whilst looking completely exhausted…. as “Transcendent”.
Not that that deterred him or the band….. the microphone was soon to be positioned right in the middle of the crowd. Matt stood wedged in the middle of the crowd and performing the outstanding "Junk Food Forever". I have no absolutely no idea whether this was pre-planned or not. I got the sense that it was very much a spontaneous and emotive result of what was happening….. and the band just went with it.
And to be wholly honest, it is pretty tough to piece together what genuinely actually happened after that - as it was pretty much complete and beautiful madness. I recall all of the band at one stage where off stage and in the crowd, swamped by the crowd whilst still somehow managing to play their song.
People were flailing, singing, dancing……. all whilst in that absolute perfect moment and pinnacle of happiness, sharing in the out-and-out chaos of the situation we had all got ourselves into - band included.
What I can't genuinely remember, I will always remember……………. it was pure "Black" magic.
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