Now that they’re back, it’s easy to see why they were so dearly missed. Previously named Slaves, now reborn Soft Play took to the stage of Manchester Academy on Wednesday night to a crowd that welcomed them with (rather sweaty) arms.
Bouncing on stage to primary school assembly certified banger ‘All Things Bright And Beautiful’’ may sound sonically a world away from what you’re about to witness but the tone of the evening is quickly introduced after frontman/drummer/extraordinaire Isaac’s first scream. If you weren’t familiar with the boys’ sound, you’re instantly acquainted as guitarist Laurie shreds through his fretboard on ‘Mirror Muscles‘ and Isaac begins to thump his kit so hard it seems like he’ll rip a hole through it. If it sounds intense, it’s because it is, but that’s what makes Soft Play so irresistible to see live. With the energy increasing throughout the set, to the point that even the photographer of the band was carried in arms by the crowd, Soft Play treated the attendees to perfectly orchestrated chaos.
Isaac found some time to spend in the crowd after a powerhouse start, jumping in for ‘F*ck the Hi-Hat‘ to bash alongside the madness. Twenty minutes into the set you’d be forgiven for wanting a breather, but the pair kept the train in motion. ‘Sockets‘, one of the band’s signature belters comes in thick and fast followed only by ‘Spit It Out’, which does exactly what it says it will to the crowd, throwing the entire room about in a frenzy.
What’s most impressive about the band is how gargantuan they manage to sound with just two members to their name, helped by Laurie’s distortion-maxed guitar playing that fills the entire space of the room. ‘Punk’s Dead’ was one of the highlights of the set. The witty lyrics don’t seem to get lost in the screams and the audience joyfully indulges in non-stop crowd surfing. The song is as direct and blunt as it can get, but it is only supported by the fact that the newest release ‘Heavy Jelly’ is played in full. You don’t like change? Is a point they remain faithful too and show no signs of being hung up on their past endeavors while staying true to their essence. The band has successfully rebranded and they have embraced it fully, dropping a word play backdrop banner as their 2024 comeback single ended. A bang that was followed by ‘Worms on Tarmac’, a personal favourite, which introduced a fun tone to the set with Laurie’s distorted vocals.
With no encore, the only moment to come back to earth again is introduced by ‘Everything and Nothing’, a heartbreaking piece that brings the crowd together in arms, with a bittersweet reaction amongst them.
The night came to an end with ‘The Hunter’, from the debut album ‘Are you Satisfied?’, which only finds one possible answer after a frenetic set: big-fat-yes.
It becomes all the more obvious that the music scene is all for the better with Soft Play involved. Their songs may not seem to last longer than a ringtone, but that doesn’t discount their lasting impression. If this is only the beginning of a new chapter, it seems that Soft Play are willing to make sure to keep punk out of its grave.
Words by Patricia Rosingana & Niall McGreevy