Live Review: Hands Off Gretel / The Loved And Lost – Stalybridge Tavern, Manchester, UK, 7th July 2017

Tonight’s show brings the unlikely duo of Hands Off Gretel and The Loved And Lost to the Stalybridge Tavern, a venue located on the Eastern outskirts of Greater Manchester that offers the enticement of free music and good beer to bring in the punters, the chance to see a band as impressive as Hands Off Gretel is one that would have seen me attending regardless, but when you add free entrance in a venue that is developing a reputation as being the grass roots home of punk and alternative music on this side of town, then you have an invitation that is too good to turn down, so we travel across Greater Manchester to another grass roots venue that is located on the ragged edge of the county.

The Stalybridge Tavern lies near an abandoned nightclub on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, its an intimate venue that hosts a constant stream of grass roots shows courtesy of Indigo Bravo Promotions, who are the determined flag wavers for the alternative and punk scenes on this side of town. But before we get to see Hands Off Gretel there is Worcester’s The Loved And Lost who are opening tonight’s show. The Loved And Lost bring a distinctly different element to the evening as they are closer to the gothic rock of Evanescence than the predicted punk or alternative support that is usually a feature of an Indigo Bravo promoted show, but I’ve never had an issue with a mix of genres in a show and a diversity of styles always keeps things interesting. 

The Loved And Lost start their set off with some dark anthemic alt rock that swiftly gives way to the more full blooded rock of Light Me Up, throughout their set their sound continues to veer across the rock spectrum, all the while maintaining the kind of stadium feel that the best bands of this nature possess. Whilst this isn’t really my kind of thing you can’t help but get the feeling that we’ll be hearing a lot more of The Loved And Lost in the future, throughout their set they engage the crowd and seem to win over much of the audience awaiting Hands Off Gretel and they deliver an accomplished set of atmospheric and melodic rock.

Hands Off Gretel are now stripped down to a trio following the departure of their bass player, with the multi talented Lauren Tate taking over bass duties for their latest tour. By the time they take to the stage the Stalybridge Tavern is standing room only for the long awaited return of Hands Off Gretel to Greater Manchester. Although Lauren Tate is slight figure clad in vintage chic the punk attitude and the defiant scream belies her slender frame, and she has twin counterparts in hyperactive guitarist Sean Bon And the powerhouse drummer Sam Hobbins. Its hard to believe that this is this is their first show without their original bass player, where many bands would have cancelled or delayed shows in these circumstances Hands Off Gretel have carried on as they didn’t want to disappoint any fans. 

 

Much of tonight’s set is culled from the impressive debut album, Burn The Beauty Queen, but earlier material such as Be Mine is included in a mesmerising and impressive set. I last caught Hands Off Gretel at last years Rebellion Festival, since then they’ve released their debut album and seem to have toured non stop regardless of what has befallen the band, and it must be said that their commitment and strictly DIY attitude seems to be serving them well. Lauren Tate is apologetic for tonight as she’s limited on movement following the departure of their bass player and her having to take on these duties, but she needn’t have been, as tracks a such One Eyed Girl are delivered with as much fury and energy as ever.

 

Bigger Than Me closes the set and brings the raw howl that characterises the darker elements of Hands Off Gretel‘s material, there have been obvious comparison to the likes of Babes In Toyland, Hole and L7 but these stand as influences on their sound and Hands Off Gretel are very much their own band, and one that you need to experience live. Sadly tonight sees a relatively short appearance as the band have had to rework their set to work as a trio, and Lauren Tate has had to learn the bass lines in less than a week, the fact this show took place is a testament to the independence and spirit, and despite everything that has befallen them recently they have delivered a triumphant and blistering set, this is all the more impressive when you realise that Lauren Tate had never played bass until earlier this week.

 

Hands Off Gretel‘s website and online shop is located here

The Punk Site review of Burn The Beauty Queen can be read here

The Loved And Lost‘s website is located here

Indigo Bravo Promotions Facebook page is here

Live photography is by Dean Unsworth, his Instagram account is located here

You can click on any of Dean’s photos to view a slide show of the images