Young Guns, 08/02/12, Manchester Deaf Institute

Imagine for a moment if Pop Punk didn’t exist. I know it’s difficult but don’t get lost in the moment of bliss. There’d be none of that instantly recognisable Tom DeLonge drone and there’d be no over usage of ‘oh, oh, oh’. (Of course I’m not referring to All Time Low here). But best of all, I wouldn’t have had to endure the sounds of Tonight Alive; the main support act. With a guitarist who had an uncanny resemblance to Freddie Mercury with slicked back black hair and moustache, he fist pumped his way through their set encouraging the crowd to do the same. I’m probably not alone in thinking that it’s best to leave fist pumping to the Jersey Shore crew.

The Deaf Institute, an ambient venue decked out with a disco ball and quirky wallpaper was then attacked by a barrage of rock.  When Young Guns take to the stage and launch into new song ‘Bones’ from their eponymous, second album it’s an instant crowd pleaser. They have surging, anthemic rock songs with powerful choruses and that’s what they excel at.  Towers (on my way) was a clear highlight; short and snappy with added gang vocals giving it that extra edge. Although, it was favourites from their debut ‘All Our Kings Are Dead’ that caused the undulating mass to bob even further looking similar to a collection of Jack-in-the- Boxes.  You go to see Young Guns because you want a rock show and undeniably that’s what you get, but the tamer songs in their performance are more affecting as they offer a breather from the fast paced rock.

Front man Gustav Wood divulges through their set that this tour was like a rebirth, an attempt to get back to the ‘sweaty, intimate venues’ that they enjoyed early in their career.  So with a new outlook and a new album brings a new air of confidence and a rapport with each other and the crowd that is something quite special.  ‘Who’s a dickhead?’ chanted the crowd as a torrent of expletives rang around the room; triggered by Gustav’s command to jokingly hurl abuse at drummer Ben.

But despite it being a considerably small venue there was just something wrong. I couldn’t feel any less connected. The swathes of girls gushing over front man Gustav would probably disagree as he grabbed onto their hands and kissed one lucky girl sending hearts a flutter.  I felt as if I was at a Zoo and I don’t like Zoos. It would just be the same if the girls were cooing over a chimp, the fact that there’s a big glass screen in your way breaking that connection makes it out of reach. Young Guns felt out of reach. Their sound and presence has progressed to larger venues and that should be where it stays.

Published in the April 2012 issue of the Huddersfield Student.