Sounds of the City 2024 Review

Sounds of the City 2024

**TBC**Sunday 30th June to Tuesday 30th July 2024**TBC**
Castlefield Bowl, Liverpool Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4JR, England MAP
varies depending on event;

Daily capacity: 8,000

The fourth of July 2024. A day to remember in British politics saw Cincinnati stalwarts The National return for another visit to the inner-city run of gigs hosted at Castlefield Bowl under the banner of Sounds of the City.

This was my second gig at the venue, 14 years on from seeing Massive Attack here as part of the free Becks Fusions festival. Not much has changed but why should it? Although compact when at capacity, the provision of bars and food stalls is ample and there is plenty of opportunity to get a good vantage point. Transport access is great, and it really is an ideal venue for another gorgeous Summer Manchester evening with absolutely smashing it down.

This is the Kit, the alias of British musician Kate Stables and her band, warm up the crowd with a selection of alt-folk tracks from their six studio albums. The crowd appreciate the playful interactions with Stables including her reference to dressing like the paramedics and detailing her current hand-stretching routine. As a support choice for The National, it’s a perfect pairing.

Almost 20 years on from my first experience of The National, supporting Editors at Brixton Academy, I’d virtually witnessed them perform a magnificent closing set at Glastonbury in the days building up to this gig. Any thoughts of a band hangover from that euphoria were quickly dispelled, with frontman Matt Berninger on top form from minute one. This is the fifth time I’ve seen the band and the adoration from their loyal crowd of ‘sad dads’ continues to grow.

The Dessner brothers switch between instruments effortlessly and it’s clear the whole band are at the peak of their powers and enjoying performing live. The crowd really get going as fan favourites ‘Don’t Swallow the Cap’ and ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ up the tempo. The setlist features tracks from across the back catalogue, with personal highlights a raucous rendition of ‘Abel’ and a welcome return of ‘Humiliation’, segued in to 2003’s ‘Murder Me Rachael’.

The heavens opened for a joyous encore including a passionate, Independence Day inspired ‘Mr November’ and a triumphant, crowd-led ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks’. A stunning evening in Manchester.

review by: Tom Lawson-Corney

photos by: Tom Lawson-Corney