#5 WU LYF//Sheperd's Bush Empire//London//Wednesday 26th October

Its been a strange couple of weeks for the Manchester music scene. Everyone is going crazy for The Stone Roses reunion news and Noel Gallagher has hit the top of the pop charts, but my response to both these points is WHY? Come on people what is this Roses reunion going to achieve? (apart from some much needed dollar for Ian Brown after his divorce) They were amazing back then, unreal infact, so how can four blokes who look older than my dad possibly better what they did before, i think they should leave it alone. There is so much good music out there at the moment i really am not interested in living in the past and i'm really shocked by all the hysteria! As for Noel G, my goodness, the man has churned out the same dad rock for years now! He harks on about the state of new music but he is just some old bloke that watches x factor with his kids. At least Liam is still full of charisma and bravado, when Noel speaks it just reminds me of every time i see my dad and he digs me out for my 'stupid hair' or my 'weird clothes'. Thank heavens for WU LYF and something, fresh, new and exciting coming out of Manchester at last!

Shey Bu was heaving tonight in anticipation for this gig, the media have given this band an aura of mystery and WU LYF seem quite happy to go along with it, early press shots saw them hiding their faces behind masks and smoke bombs, at first it wasn't clear how many people were even in the band (it's 4), they would refuse to do interviews. All this coupled with their throbbing crucifix like emblem, their growing disciples, The Lucifer Youth Foundation and a huge word of mouth buzz whipping up around them has given them the air of a cult instead of just a band.

I was in my preferred position of upstairs at Shey Bu, this gave me a perfect view to witness what was happening below, people being crushed in a sea of bouncing bodies and chants of WU LYF WU LYF WU LYF before the band had even arrived on stage, the huge crucifix bathed in light on the pitch black stage just adding to the drama. This felt like something special was about to happen.

SET LIST

1) LYF
2) Cave song
3) Summas bliss
4) Such a sad puppy song
5) Spitting blood
6) Dirt
7) Interlude (cover)
8) Concrete gold
9) 14 crowns for me and your friends
10) Heavy pop
Encore
11) Wicked games (Chris Isaack cover)
12) We bros

Check these out:
Heavy pop: http://youtu.be/9yW73ENT3w0
We bros: http://youtu.be/5HGgni1nGGY
My fave, LYF: http://youtu.be/3QWxviSD79c

The lads ran through an amazing set, (including a blinding version of 'wicked game' which smashed the original!) every song off the album (their only release) was played, unless i'm mistaken they pretty much played the album in order which is great because it is best heard in order, it really ebbs and flows and feels much better than if u stick it on shuffle on your ipod. The gig peaked in three parts for me, it started with a bang with the powerful 'LYF',' Heavy pop' was amazing and the final song in their encore, 'We bros' was simply phenominal, lead singer Ellery dived into the crowd and just disappeared under the mosh yet still sang the whole song perfectly and didn't miss a beat. Every tune was played with maximum vigour and intensity, the songs are rip your heart out and die powerful, you cant even make out half of what they are singing about because of Ellery's distinctive rasp, when he chatted between songs he sounded like the exorcist because he had strained his voice so much, God knows how they do a gig every night. The band and crowd were at one for the whole show. This wasn't a gig it was a movement. I truly believe i witnessed something special here tonight. WU LYF are the future of music in Manchester. Forget the past and join us. WORLD UNITE LUCIFER YOUTH FOUNDATION.

NITTY GRITTY

Venue: I love Shey Bu, but ONLY on the upper levels, dont bother with a floor level ticket, it is rammed and you cant get a beer, its a complete nightmare, if u go on the upper levels u can sit if u want (as if i ever sit) you get a brilliant view of the stage and the bars are so much easier to get to, you never have to wait and you don't get squashed, oh and the loos are easier to get to aswell.

Drinks: good selection, pub prices, fair, pint and a glass of wine left me with a few quid change out of a tenner.

Crowd: Really good mix, young and old, male and female, everyone totally immersed in the gig

But i wanna know did the band look cool?: Yeah they're cool lads, i love that they wear their band logo on their clothes with Ellery having it stitched to the back of his denim jacket, like a proper gang.

ACE FACE:

Shelley Kay, Best practice consultant, Battersea

Shelley Shelley Shelley!!!! How good was that?!?!
It was pretty spesh Dan, this isn't usually my sort of thing but i was very impressed.


What was your fave tune?
Defo 'Heavy Pop', it was the first tune of theirs that i heard a while back but hearing it live tonight was amazing, it was like a call to arms! The crowd went nuts.


How did you get into WU LYF?
Err, you forced me to, pahahahaha!
Annoying aint i?
YES!


Finally, venue, good?
It's lovely, like a smaller Brixton academy, and now with the overground us south londoners can get here in ten mins. Boom.


So that's it, if you have ears and a soul, go immerse yourselves in WU LYF.
I was at the Tribes gig this weekend aswell, stay tuned for the review, it'll be up soon, i'm just snowed under at the moment, i was gonna do it today but its kinda Halloween so i have to go get drunk and watch The Omen in a scary church in Hackney, soooooorrrrry. Then i've got The Maccabees next week and then Berlin! POW.
Contact me: dannywoodlands@yahoo.co.uk