Gallows
with Set Your Goals,
Fucked Up & SSS..
Academy 2, Manchester.
February 23rd 2008.
With the immense anticipation and build up to this particular gig, it would have been quite easy for all of the bands not to live up to expectations, but in fact all four bands completely blew everyone away. 'Fucked Up' and 'SSS' (aka Short Sharp Shock) were fast, hectic and both completely tight. It was great to see that most of the audience were present for the support slots.
'Set Your Goals' also gave an overwhelming performance, that got a huge majority of the crowd going. Their perfectly delivered hardcore beats mixed with some catchy shouting. Definitely a band I would like to see headlining.
To be honest, it was surprising that Gallows only came on five minutes after their set time of 10pm was due, with a mini mob engulfing frontman Frank Carter in between 'Set your Goals' and the 'Gallows' set. Carter didn't really seem to mind all the sudden attention, and quite happily posed for photos and chatted to fans, proving he is really lovely underneath his punk and hardcore attitude. Gallows played a furious set with every song better than the last, but the ones that really stood out were, "Someone shoot that fuckin' snake", "Staring at the Rude Bois" and "Belly of a shark". With the first tackling the seemingly increasing problem of drink spiking and date rape drugs. Everything about Gallows seemed to sparkle tonight, Frank Carter's amazing stage presence and the atmospheric set they played. I think it's safe to say that this band are going to be destined for even better things in 2008.
Emily Sherwin
Photos by Danny North
and Shirlaine.