Saturday 22/04/06 Panic! At The Disco, Men Women & Children, Forgive Durden @ The Academy, Manchester

The night begins early with support firstly coming from fellow emo hopefuls Forgive Durden, providing a slow but competent opening.  This is soon followed however by one of the most under-rated new live acts around - Men Women & Children.  The six piece New Yorkers are like a bizarre amalgamation of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Bloodhound Gang, and Michael Jackson.  They give a live performance that's not to be missed as the infusion of funky soul, rock’n’roll, and 80s disco are articulated onstage via blowing bubbles, synchronised dancing, and the uncanny knack to transfix the crowd complete participation.  Be sure to download stand out tracks ‘Messy’ and ‘Monkey Monkee Men’.

 

The crowd now fully fuelled await the main attraction as chants of “Panic! Panic! Panic!” reverberate around the sold out venue.  Then as the lights fade the sound of Gladiator style music is played as Panic! At The Disco enter the stage.  The band immediately launch into ‘The Only Difference Between Martyrdom And Suicide Is Press Coverage’ as the power tempo guitar stabs, killer drum beats, techno layering, and exquisite vocals from Brendon Urie completely exemplifies PATD’s uniqueness. 

 

PATD’s ground-braking debut album ‘A Fever You Cant Sweat Out’ already proves that a continuous rampage of infectious tunes is inevitable.  However the real curiosity would be how well this is translated into their live performance, and as the album hits roll out, a subtle anti-climax sinks in as Brendon’s vocals are slightly too loud, sadly smothering the intricate drum beats, techno effects, and guitar melodies.  An air of tiredness is also present in the bands performance as the lack of charisma and passion seem worlds apart from their previous support act.

 

Fortunately however PATD’s songs are just too strong to let these technicalities spoil the evening as the phenomenal ‘Time To Dance’ sends everyone present to kick into their own grove and roar out “Have some composure, And where is your posture?, You're pulling the trigger, Pulling the trigger all wrong”.  Forthcoming single ‘But Its Better If You Do’ opens with an eerie fan-fair instrumental and equally doesn’t disappoint.  Already a timeless classic ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ is enough on its own to allow you to go home happy as the opening harp arrangement proceeds into a ferocious attack of love, lies, and disseat to completely blow your mind.  Still learning, but still enough to make you go back for more.

 

Photos by: Shirlaine Forrest