Basement

With their latest and third album, Promise Everything, released last month on Run For Cover records to immensely positive reviews emo rock band, Basement, seemingly had nothing to worry about when returning last year from a brief hiatus. The Ipswich grungers played Manchester Academy 2 and MN’s Will Whitby was down to see what UK’s modern Nirvana had to offer.

Supports came from rising star Alex G and US lo-fi emo outfit and fellow label partners, Tigers Jaw. The now duo played tracks off their back catalogue including several tracks of their latest album, Charmer, which is considered by many as their best work. Tracks like Hum, Teen Rocket and Charmer evoke meaningful and poetic lyrics whilst still maintaining their signature lo-fi grungey feel. The duo are considered one of the poster bands of independent rock label, Run For Cover Records, and along with the headline Basement and bands like Moose Blood are at the frontline of the current emo revival.

The crowd mainly comprising of students and with seemingly very few people over the age of 25 at the show reinforced the fact of the youthful and disdained audience that this genre attracts.

Basement came out to the opening track of their new album, Brother’s Keeper, in a set mixed with material from their first and second albums, I Wish I Could Stay Here and Colourmeinkindess as well as new material and their post-hiatus EP, Further Sky.

Frontman, Andrew Fisher, bounced around the stage emblazoned in the scene’s popular get up- flannel shirts and “dad” baseball caps with the crowd wearing similar attire. Crowd-pleasers Spoiled and Whole off their second album, Colourmeinkindess, grinded up the mosh pit revellers whereas an acoustic version of Pine brought down the tone at the start of the encore.

Highlight of the night had to go to the final song, Covet, with chants of the chorus coming before the song even began. Covet is considered Basement’s best track and is a perfect example of what Basement do and what modern UK grunge/emo sounds like. A staple for any edgy rock fan’s collection.

Later the band would declare that Manchester was a) the best show of the tour and b) in the top five shows they’ve ever played.

Few bands in this genre can leave and return with the same momentum as they had before. Basement proved themselves tonight as one of the best alternative bands around and although not recognised majorly by the charts and masses their critical success with those who matter is why they are one of the driving forces in UK alt rock.


Basement’s Setlist

1. Brother's Keeper
2. Crickets Throw Their Voice
3. Bad Apple
4. Spoiled
5. Aquasun
6. Whole
7. For You the Moon
8. Canada Square
9. Lose Your Grip
10. Earl Grey
11. Oversized
12. Blinded Bye
13. Pine
14. Yoke
15. Promise Everything
16. Covet