Words: Sophie Thompson
Photo Credit: Shona Bromilow
The Covasettes came back home to Manchester for a spectacular hometown show which confirmed just how special of a band they are. It was a triumphant career defining night at the O2 Ritz.
Harvey Jay Dodgson opened the night who wasted no time in setting the tone for the evening. “And we’re opening for the Foo Fighters’ he joked referencing the Foo Fighters gig which was happening at the Ritz a few hours later. A scheduling clash which forced The Covasettes to push their set forwards threatening to throw their special night into chaos. Despite the earlier set times the Manchester crowd did not disappoint and bought their infinite energy. There is something so unmistakably star bound about the Portsmouth star, his euphoric indie songs sound ready to be played on the main stage at any festival.
Thunderous drumbeats reverberated through the O2 ritz while tracks like ‘Freedom’ delivered infectious chant worthy hooks. As Dodgson belted the lyrics “left right freedom” arms shot towards the ceiling. When he asked the crowd “we are going to sing some new ones if that’s okay?” the answer was obvious by the raucous of cheers from the crowd. Tremendously grateful for those who came down early Harvey Jay Dodgson commanded the stage with ease and confidence as if he was the headliner.
The Cheap Thrills followed and proudly declared that they are from “just down the road on the 62”. Their anthemic indie sound hit instantly with the Manchester crowd instantly clapping along to their joyful beat. Their catchy lyrics got the crowd warmed up for the arrival of Manchester’s finest The Covasettes.
Then came the moment the crowd had eagerly awaited all evening The Covasettes took to the stage for their homecoming show on the final night of their ‘Honeymoon Forever Tour’. Emerging into the spotlight to the sounds of The Killers’ ‘Mr Brightside’ to a crowd entirely dressed in cow print a symbol which has become synonymous with the Manchester group.
“We’ve made it” frontman Chris Buxton shouted to a sea of 1,500 people, their biggest ever headline crowd. It wasn’t just a show; it was a celebration of the band and the city which raised them. “The greatest pre-drinks” he called it and that it was, a party was happening on stage, and the crowd of adoring fans had the privilege of joining them along for the ride.
There were moments in the set which will go down in The Covasettes history as a ‘you had to be there moment’ with their sound engineer Hamish coming to the stage to fulfil his dream of crowd surfing. Newest member Lizzie joined them down at the front of the stage alongside opener Harvey Jay Dodgson for a rousing cover of The Verve Bittersweet Symphony for a moment where all 1,500 voices were singing along.
Chris Buxton was overflowing with gratitude for the fans who had showed up and given so much to them he dedicated ‘This Feeling’ to “the OG’s’ who had stuck by the band for 9 years of hard work and graft. During the song Buxton launched himself in amongst the pit for a mosh pit after declaring he had “never watched the band perform”. He introduced ‘Honeymoon Forever’ as his favourite from their upcoming debut album a song which glimmers with inevitable success.
During the encore blow up bouncy balls circled the O2 Ritz for a moment of pure childlike joy as they circled the Ritz during ‘Dream’ creating a dreamlike blur. They ended their set on ‘Top Drawer’ closing the evening with the song which catapulted them into playing to rooms of 1,500 people in their hometown.
As the final notes rang out no one wanted it to and Chris Buxton especially didn’t want it to end who lingered on the stage long after his set had finished taking time to soak in the atmosphere which he had created. After working hard for nine years The Covasettes have now played to 1,500 people in the city which birthed them, having that many people singing with you must be a lot to take in. They certainly proved that they are here to stay and with a debut album to come on April 10th only bigger and better things await the Manchester group.
Taped Magazine 