News Young British Artists

It takes some confidence to name yourself after one of the great art movements of the last century, but to pull it off is another matter entirely. Young British Artists have spent the past couple of years knocking about the Manchester scene, though having spent pretty much the entirety of 2010 out of the spot light, they’ve used the turn of the year as an excuse to grab the bull by the horns.

There’s never going to be a lack of bands willing to put energy and effort into a song, but it’s the focus that many of them miss and, more crucially, the talent. Local label Red Deer Club acted at the incubator of their earlier works, the fruit of which has been the manic, sprawling monsters that they create now. There’s melody in there, wonderfully dampened by the committed drawl of the vocals, the beating heart at the centre of their efforts that stops that the whole thing spilling over.

What’s been sad before is the fact that they’ve been categorised as ‘another Manchester band’, a curse that was put upon most who dared to start their careers play in the grey, rainy surrounds of the city. Whilst they were away, that attitude has subsided a little – largely thanks to the region finally managing to produce more than shit, Oasis aping lad rock. With the gates finally opening a little and perceptions slightly altered, hopefully Young British Artists can finally rise to the position they’ve always deserved – though whether they’ll ever overtake Emin and co. in the google rankings is another issue entirely.