Photo Credit: Haluk Gurer
Words: Sophie Thompson
Welcomed by a packed Vaillant Live, Stockport superstars Blossoms to Derby as part of the Summer Sessions sponsored by TK Maxx. The band delivered an electric performance which firmly cemented their position as another legendary band to come from Manchester.
The first performance of the evening was Manchester indie rock newcomers The Guest List who filled in at the last minute for The Coral who unfortunately had to pull out due to illness. However, the Derby crowd was not left disappointed as The Guest List began their set with ‘Loose Tongue‘ which effortlessly got the awaiting audience engaged and dancing to the riffs of their electric guitars. The Guest List treated the Derby crowd to a performance of their newest single ‘Mary‘ released just a few days prior to the gig.
Next was Jamie Webster, hailing from Liverpool. Beginning his set with his hit ‘Voice of the Voiceless‘ showing his down to-earth nature and immediately bringing the crowd together whether you knew of him or not. Before he ended his performance, he gave an emotional tribute to the Liverpool football star Diogo Jota who tragically died in a car accident last week by urging the crowd to ‘raise a glass’ in his memory before transitioning into ‘This Place‘. Closing Jamie Webster’s performance was ‘Weekend in Paradise‘, the song which is the catalyst for his mega success.
The anticipation was over, and pulsating lights signalled the arrival of Blossoms. Opening with ‘Your Girlfriend‘ taken from their 2020 album ‘Foolish Loving Spaces‘, the infectious guitar riffs which make their crowds so energetic and lively.
Forming back in 2013 consist of frontman Tom Ogden whose rockstar personality and glamourous vocals are at the heart of Blossoms, Charlie Salt on bass, Josh Dewhurst on guitar, Joe Donnovan on drums and Myles Kellock on keyboard.
Together they encapsulate the iconic sound of the 80s whist not shying away from pop. They have recently embarked on tours with the likes of indie legends Stereophonics and their good friends Inhaler; Blossoms frankly show no sign of slowing down and continue to get bigger each year.
Following the release of their fifth studio album ‘Gary‘ last year their set list consisted of a balanced blend of timeless old classic Blossoms anthems like ‘Getaway‘ and ‘At Most a Kiss‘ as well as newer songs such as ‘Nightclub‘ and ‘I Like Your Look‘. The audience met the latest songs with the same energy and enthusiasm as the older tracks proving how they are one of the most exciting contemporary indie rock bands.
During the encore is when the fans really take centre stage as the five-piece come together for their song ‘My Favourite Room‘ which is mixed with ‘You’re Gorgeous‘ in a slow and acoustic performance creating a sense of unity and brotherhood between the Mancunian band. Tom Ogden swiftly moves into a rendition of the popular Oasis track ‘Half the World Away‘ which is met with an immediate reaction from the crowd considering Oasis kicked off their reunion tour just last week.
Blossoms effortlessly change into the fan favourite ‘There’s a Reason Why I Never Returned Your Calls‘ and the indie paradigm ‘Charlemagne‘, the 2015 anthem which propelled the band into stardom. The collective dancing and singing of the Derby crowd can certainly suggest that ‘Charlemagne‘ is one of the greatest indie songs of all time.
Ending the night in a playful twist with the title track for the latest album ‘Gary‘, the number which saw the 6-foot-tall fibre glass gorilla named Gary emerge onto stage and the crowd explodes into a series of “LaLaLaLa’s” bouncing to Josh Dewhurst’s lively drumbeats which pulsate through the crowd.
Blossoms proved that they are unquestionably one of the most exciting and joyous British bands.
Taped Magazine 