Gurriers Live at Projekts Skatepark

Words & Photography: Alisha Lawton

On a cool, rainy Friday night, a skate park isn't the number one place that you would think to go to, but when Gurriers put on a gig there, myself and a crowd of fans went straight to it. 

As the strange venue began to fill, Martial Arts started the night off with some heavy-leaning indie music with post-punk influences throughout, making them a perfect first support for the Irish post-punk band.

As the night darkened, and more people entered the venue, Picture Parlour were only just getting the night started. The band brought a big sound and a massive energy to the Manchester skatepark.

As it got later, the crowd began to chant the name of the next band. Keo were about to take the stage. One member of the audience shouted that he loved Fin which gained a few chuckles from the other fans in the audience. With only one EP released, Keo already have a cult following. That is almost unheard of! They are going from strength to strength.

And just like that it was time for the main event, and the reason why so many people were gathered in the Projkets Skatepark on this particular friday night! Gurriers started their set with Nausea. The crowd immediately started to jump. Moving into the next song, the band's guitarist, Mark, jumped down from the stage and headed straight to the front barrier, giving his guitar to a fan who was wearing his signature hat on the front row. After giving the fan his guitar to play he stole the hat off his head then moved back to the stage with his guitar back in hand. 

Four songs in the audience were already in mosh pits and crowd surfing.

Dedicating their next song in support of Palestine, they lead the crowd into a 'Free Palestine' chant, which everyone joined, loud and proud. Lead singer, Dan, told the audience that they had never played a show in a skatepark before (as if playing a show in a place that this was a normal occurrence for everybody in attendance!)

Every single song was a party.

Top of the Bill was next - a fan favourite. People were up on shoulders and singing every word as loud as they could. After this song, Dan jokingly asked the audience if they can do a kick flip (given the surroundings) which gained a few laughs from around the venue, he then continued to ask the audience if they were ready to dance, which the crowd responded with a cheer.

During Des Goblin, the band's bassist, Charlie, got into the crowd while playing and joined in; he got up on a fan's shoulder and continued to play the song perfectly.

Next up was Approachable, during this song the fan from the start of the show was pulled up onto the stage to help sing the song with them!

Before we knew it, the show was over and the fans were leaving the venue. The skatepark was an interesting place for a show but I cannot say it doesn't work. The ramps and the different levels added another element to the night; between sets fans were using the ramps as slides to entertain themselves. The Irish band brought nothing but great post-punk to a punk place to be.