NBHD Festival: The Only Place To Find Your New Favourite Band

Words & Photos: Alisha Lawton

It's that time of year once again where thousands of people flock to Manchester to run around the city, going from venue to venue, to catch their favourite artists within the Neighbourhood festival line up. The energy throughout the city, even at 11 o’clock in the morning, was energetic, with festival goers in the streets wearing various pieces of different merch from bands on the line-up, and there was already a queue outside of Manchester Academy for the first headliners of the festival, Keo. 

First set on the line-up that Dizzy Magazine caught was in the Basement at YES where Pack of Animals opened the stage. The Bristol-based band played the sister festival Neighbourhood Weekender back in May, where they drew a great crowd, and this set was no different. The band gave all their energy for their 1pm set and the crowd did not disappoint. Before you knew it the set was over and everyone left to head to their next set of the day. It seemed that almost every other person attending the festival had similar plans, making getting to the venue for Keo almost half an hour early impossible.

Next on the list to catch was at Manchester Academy 2: Cherryholt, who are continuing to make a name for themselves through their live shows and recorded music. This set was another one that people had been queueing for a while for, and immediately the room filled out with fans anticipating the performance from the band. The up-and-coming band played a mixed set of released and unreleased songs that fans sang every word to.

Staying in the same venue, Sheffield-based band The Rosadocs were due to take the stage. Starting the set with the song Bittersweet, the band immediately captured the attention of everyone in the room, whether they were fans of the band or ultimately saving their space in the venue for the next set. The band played like it was their mission to show everyone in the room a good time. They mentioned on stage that they were heading straight to Leeds from this set to play another show; if that doesn't show the dedication that this band has, I don't know what will! 

Next in the same venue was Irish rock band Basht. who are another band who played the sister festival earlier in the year. The venue very quickly filled out, which was to be expected, due to their debut album dropping just over a week before, and their upcoming headline show at Gorilla being sold out for months. The band started their set with the single Keira Knightly which immediately sent the crowd into the chaos of a mosh pit. 

Straight from this set, next on the list was to catch Morningstar playing Factory 251, the up-and-coming Liverpool alternative band played a forceful set to a full room of people that may have never seen them live before. Playing a set of songs from their recently released debut EP Chrome, and then some songs that people may not have heard before. This band are beginning to make a name for themselves and if you haven't heard of them before its time you get to know so you can say you were there from first releases. 

The Covasettes then returned to the o2 Ritz, where they had headlined earlier in the year on their tour. The Manchester band released their debut album at the beginning of the year and also played the sister festival back in May. The indie band showed the crowd a good time and it was clear to see throughout the venue with fans singing and dancing along to the music being played for them. There is a reason why The Covasettes are playing one of the biggest venues within the festival and that is due to the dedication of their fans. 

Over in Deansgate at Lions Den, up-and-coming band August, who are being titled as 'music's best kept secret', for now, played an electric set that was technically great. As a band, the music is leaning towards the feeling Geese bring to a live set. The band, who have no official recorded music, have only a live EP that was released the day of the festival, meaning that people would leave the festival loving what they heard and being able to hear it for themselves once again when they get home.

Closing the night off was headliners Red Rum Club, who, every single time, pulled it off with pure confidence that only one band can have. The room was full and ready to sing along to some top-class music from across the band's five albums, when you have that much material to choose from, it is almost impossible to please everyone in the room, but somehow the band managed to do just that! Starting the set with American Nights & English Mornings to then finishing the set with Vanilla; the fans in the room danced to every song and sang every word. And that is what Neighbourhood Festival is all

about.