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Fightmilk
Fuel, Withington
22nd June 2022
London-based quartet Fightmilk return to Manchester to play at the small but perfectly formed Fuel Cafe Bar in Withington. Iain Key was there for Louder Than War.
The first and only time I’ve seen Fightmilk live was at Yes when they were supporting Art Brut in early 2019. It was impactful. I bought the debut album at the gig and then ordered the previous releases available online when I got home. I couldn’t make it to their triumphant return a couple of months later when they played The Castle, however I believe it was a packed out and sweaty affair. Since then we have had a worldwide pandemic and the band released a 2nd album, Contender just over 12months ago; plus I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing the band a couple of times as well as reviewing their output. Currently on their ‘Tours 2’ tour, they’ve played in London, Bristol and Leicester, and by the time you’ve read this will be getting ready to play in Glasgow, with dates in Newcastle and Leeds to come.
I’ve never been to tonight’s venue before. Despite being in the middle of Withington village, the vegan cafe and bar has a definite Iberian feel to it. The ‘live space’ upstairs is cosy and the sound is excellent throughout the night.
Support tonight is from Manchester’s own Mumbles; a three-piece I’d not been aware of before but very active across the City. Initially I wasn’t sure what to make of them but by the end of their 45-minute set I know I’ll be seeing them again. Is prog a dirty word? Maybe not prog. Frontman Jacob Nicholas delivers an almost theatrical performance at times. I’m not sure if there is a ‘concept’ to their set or forthcoming album but it feels like we’re being taken on a journey. The tracks range from punkish primal screams to Mogwai-esque soundscapes building to MBV-style walls of noise. There’s a playfulness about it too which reminds me of Sultans Of Ping FC. They close their set with the epic 20-ish minute Talking To Plants which even includes a clarinet solo. Highly recommended.
Fightmilk take to the stage at 9:30pm. It’s a real thrill to see them on stage again after the previous post pandemic gigs had to be postponed. They kick off with the gloriously-named I’m Starting To Think You Don’t Even Want To Go To Space, the lead track from Contender with a slightly sarcastic homage to Wet Leg. Looking around the crowd it’s clear I’m not the only one who’s happy to be here. At times I’ve felt like Fightmilk are a well-kept secret but there are plenty here dancing and singing along. The band continue with tracks from the recent album, You Are Not The Universe; Hey Annabelle and If You Had A Sister.
Although the band have a punky edge to them there are some amazing harmonies when Alex and Healey accompany Lily. I thought these would be lost in the mix but they really shine through. I must call out the sound of Nick’s drums though which borders on being tribal at times, fantastic stuff. As well as tracks from Contender, Fightmilk mix things up with older tracks and new material. Four Star Hotel from debut Not With That Attitude is delivered with thrash sensibility, with key lines delivered by Lily along with the occasional knowing Louise Wener-glance. This is followed by Best Me, a new song about being uninvited from being a bridesmaid. Although there are serious songs in the set the singer has a great way of turning real life experiences into ideas for great pop songs.
Banger No 4 is followed by new track Banger No 7 as the room gets hotter and sweatier. After thanking us for being at Fuel, rather than watching Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Alex adds a prelude to Maybe with the opening verse of By The Way. It strangely compliments it. All too soon, with and a knowing wink, Lily announces the last song and previous single Overbite. It’s celebratory with the whole room singing along.
Their is a great cartoonish humour to Fightmilk, if this was the 1970s Hanna-Barbera would be making a Scooby Doo type show about their adventures on the road. Lily, Healey and Nick slip behind the curtains at the back of the stage to allow the chant of ‘one more song’ (Alex hides behind his guitar case). They feign surprise as they ‘reappear’. The first song of the encore is a bit of a surprise; there are a few songs which I expected the band may play, but what we get a cover of The Cranberries track Dreams. It’s a great version done in the Fightmilk style. Contender centrepiece Cool Cool Girl closes the night giving everyone a last chance to join in.
Tonight is everything I could have wanted from a gig; an engaging support band to check out and a reaffirming performance from my favourite band, even though my dream playlist would have seen them playing for at least another 30mins at least. Taking nothing away from the venue or the promoters who have done a brilliant job tonight, Fightmilk should be playing to bigger crowds and festivals. It’s frustrating when you see the same names being churned out time and time again when there is so much great talent out there and not just 6Music’s flavours of the month.
Hopefully it won’t be 3 years before the band are up in Manchester again. In the meantime you can catch the band at…
23/06 Hug & Pint, Glasgow
25/06 Bobiks, Newcastle
26/06 Wharf Chambers, Leeds
16/07 The Hunters Club, Bury St Edumunds (with The Long Blondes)
Follow Mumbles on Facebook and Twitter
Follow Fightmilk on Facebook and Twitter
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All words and pictures by Iain Key. See his Author Profile here author’s archive or on Twitter as @iainkey.
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