REVIEW: Indie Trio Blaenavon Play Gorilla

Ellie Kemp | 23rd November 2017

Blaenavon

From the release of their debut album back in April, to gracing the notorious Reading and Leeds Festival stages over summer, Hampshire three-piece Blaenavon are well and truly making their mark.

Wednesday night (22nd November) saw the band, consisting of vocalist and guitarist Ben Gregory, bassist Frank Wright, and drummer Harris McMillan, play a sold-out gig at Gorilla, much to the delight of their Manchester fans.

The set was kicked off with Hell Is My Head, taken from the trio’s Miss World EP. From the opening of the song, the crowd are instantly engaged, jumping in unison, echoing back every lyric.

Blaenavon Play Gorilla – Photo Credit: Jennifer Gilmore

Transitioning effortlessly into Let’s Pray and My Bark Is Your Bite, the indie outfit bring us up-to-date with their debut album That’s Your Lot.

A throw-back is next, with a rendition of Into The Night sending the crowd into yet another frenzy. Half-way through, however, disaster strikes; thanks to a technical fault, Gregory’s microphone cuts out.

Despite this, bandmates McMillan and Wright continue playing, Gregory continues singing, and the crowd carries the rest of the song, until the microphone is fixed.

Throughout the set, it’s obvious that Blaenavon have an incredible live sound – every song feels like an anthem, whether it’s the loud and rowdy I Will Be The World, or the angelic and delicate Alice Come Home.

Next, Gregory teases fans with a new song, All Your Vanity, adding ‘I hope you’re pleased to know we’re writing new music!’

Crowd at the Gorilla – Photo Credit: Jennifer Gilmore

It’s a catchy, playful number, and is warmly received by the crowd. It also features beautifully poetic lyrics – something that’s become a trademark of any Blaenavon song.

Being able to craft a perfect song is one thing, but having the effortless stage presence to match is another. Blaenavon happen to nail both of these aspects, proving that there is still so much more to come from this three-piece.

Title track That’s Your Lot rounds off the set, along with fan favourite Orthodox Man.

The night closes with Prague ’99 – quite possibly the most memorable moment of the set. It sees over-excited fans scrambling on stage, only to be ushered off by security. This is shortly followed by Gregory crowd-surfing, becoming one with the band’s fanbase.

This certainly won’t be the last time Manchester hears from Blaenavon – and here’s to hoping they return sooner rather than later in the near future.