LIVE REVIEW: Dead Pony, Gallus, Soapbox, Deaf Institute, Manchester, 10/12/2024
Photo Credit: Hope Simmers
Promoting their recently released album Ignore This, quartet Dead Pony have gained popularity over the past year for the indie-punk, anything-goes musical style they create. The Glaswegian outfit continued their headline tour at Manchester’s Deaf Institute. Arriving at the Deaf Institute, we were greeted by an intense wall of sound. This happened to be one of the two supporting bands that would grace the stage this evening.
With a healthy crowd already in attendance, Glaswegian punk outfit Soapbox were certainly putting the effort in early doors. A muscular, bald headed and tattoo-clad front man by the name Tom Rowan was giving it 110%. By now, nearing the end of the bands set, a sweat-drenched Rowan exclaimed through heavy breathing, that he will be at the merch stand at the end of the show, “Because we’re fucking skint”. A minimal and basic set up doesn’t take away from the gutsy and energetic performance given by the entire band tonight. Confidence and stage presence was at an all time high throughout the performance. An enjoyable and hectic start to the evening.
Of a similar ilk are the second support act, Gallus. A five-piece Glaswegian punk band who released their last album We Don’t Like The People We’ve Become in 2023 and most recently in 2024 released the single Depressed Beyond Tablets. After making a thunderous start with first offering Perfect Health, lead vocalist Barry Dolan screamed to the crowd “Are we buzzing for Dead Pony?” in his thick set Glaswegian accent. The exuberance and charisma continues to ooze out of Dolan who bounces around stage with buckets full of energy. Recently released single Depressed Beyond Tablets, Marmalade and final track What Do I Know all receive stellar reactions from the crowd. The lead vocalist even took it upon himself to bounce round in the crowd during What Do I Know. As the waited for the headline act draws ever closer, the venue begins to reach full capacity.
Excitement buzzed around the venue as the lights dimmed and Dead Pony took to the stage to the Basement Jaxx classic Where’s Your Head At?. Beginning with album title track Ignore This, the crowd need no introduction to start moving. Vocalist and guitarist Anna Shields delights with the kind of charisma it takes some bands years to achieve. By the time third song Bullet Farm has commenced, so has the first mosh pit of the evening.
Shields then addressed the bustling venue, “Manchester, how are you feeling? to cheers from the crowd. I said Manchester, how’re you feeling?”. Despite the lead vocalist apparently catching a cold from one of the two supporting acts, it was incredibly difficult to tell. Continuing to bounce around the stage and command the audience at different points during the show, Shields was in exceptional form.
The set continued at pace, rattling through fan favourites AWOL, About Love, and I Might Die all consisting of the catchy but ferocious melodies Dead Pony have become known for. The Glaswegian outfit, consulting of; Euan Lyons (drums + percussion), Liam Adams (Bass), Blair Critchton (lead guitar + backing vocals), and Anna Shields (lead vocals and guitar) are rightfully enjoying the night here at the Deaf Institute.
As more high octane songs such as; RAINBOWS, and 23 Never Me are thundered through, the mosh pit, somehow continues to expand within this compact venue.
Nearing the end of the evening one of the stand out moments was an exceptional cover of Break Stuff by Nu-Metal heavyweights Limp Bizkit. Invited on-stage during the performance were lead singers from both supporting bands this evening. A raucous performance all round, from band and crowd alike.
The young and fresh group of Glaswegians bow out on a high with their final offering MANA. No encore tonight, just a fantastic energetic show from start to finish.
8/10
Written by: Ben Gilligan
