Fifth Floor Fest, Manchester review • DIY Magazine

What better venue to host an array of Manchester’s finest up-and-coming talent than The Deaf Institute? It’s a through-and-through Mancunian institution and fitting home for a show hosted by independent international concert promoters Fifth Floor Fest (with a little help from Manchester’s own Akoustik Anarkhy), following this year’s earlier showcase in Bristol with Heavy Lungs.

Today, the folk of Manchester seem to have declared an early arrival of summer, with a pint-fuelled enigma of warmth blanketing the city, very much in contrast to the chaos lining the streets swirled by students panting to their looming deadlines. Nevertheless, the ongoings of the moment are swiftly forgotten as Hauspoints take to the stage, a wave of bodies slowly ushering into the upstairs Music Hall like moths to a flame as the Manchester-based four-piece get the party started. The edge of their psychedelia-infused funk cascades into the crowd, kicking things off with a well-rounded offering of spoken-word grit and heavy chords across slices of their discography. Working with a seamless synergy, the band seem lost in the energy of it all, with a clear adornation of Western media as their preview of yet-to-be-released material wouldn’t strike us as out-of-place in the end credits of a Tarantino flick.

Next come Getner, an electric four-piece who are swiftly building a name for themselves via their vivacious live performances and unique soundscape, which grows from the band’s vast array of musical influences and the diversity of their personal heritage. Who knew that if you brought two lads from Derry, one from Lancashire and another from Yorkshire and put them into a jam session above an Irish pub in Chorlton that you’d end up with something so good? Still yet to release their debut single, their set is by no means premature. What follows is a beyond-impressive offering and arguably the highlight of the evening; having opted to build a name for themselves via the stage, making full use of Manchester’s live music circuit along the way, this completely shines through. The swagger of lead singer Quentin’s self-assurance is infectious, his energy flowing through the soundsystem and into the curious faces below.

Next to the stage come Deaf Deaf Deaf, another local ensemble who waste no time on introductions, instead propelling us into their whimsical world of melancholic melodies and Smiths-reminiscent vocals. It’s hard to pinpoint the group to one genre - with their offerings rather being an amalgamation of a variety of soundscapes - but perhaps the most cohesive element is their knife-like lyricism: "Leave me some depressant by the door / All I’ve ever wanted, it’s not enough". No dullness hangs in the air as their sense of whimsy shines through and keeps spirits high from start to end.

Halfway through the schedule, energy swirls softly amongst the bodies swaying in a to-and-fro motion before being completely brought to a halt and minds injected with ecstasy by the infectious sound of invigorating quartet Holly Head. Melting together post-punk, dance and indie elements, the band pace from song to song, never failing to cast a single member of the audience astray. Sweat drips from the roof of the 200-capacity venue in a tear-like motion, a fitting representation for the bleeding catharsis of their lyricism. Known and respected locally for their ambitious music videos and this eccentric stage presence - proven by the crowd relaying many-a-song’s lines back at them - they have the foundations of a very long and prosperous career cemented.

Following their stint supporting Geese earlier this year, the final performance comes, after much anticipation, from the theatrically-charged Pyncher. Perhaps the lightest (sonically, at least) offering of the night, their tambourine and trumpet-entwined tunes beckon the crowd twist and turn, awaking an inner light in those spellbound by their song. The indie-rock risers prove they’re beyond deserving of their headline slot, bringing a galvanic display of talent in their casual-yet-charming attire to the stage that has played host to many of the industry’s biggest names.

Of course, this is Manchester, and The Deaf Institute is just as known for its array of post-show afterparties, so - when Akoustik Anarkhy collective step away from the decks between sets to let local hero Tim Burgess take his collection of 45s for a spin - it's a bizarre yet fitting nightcap for such a beautiful convergence of the best up-and-coming Northern talent.