Kill Hannah - 22nd September 2007 - Manchester Academy 3

Support: I Was A Cub Scout & Saving Aimee

First up are Nottingham two-piece I Was A Cub Scout, who deliver a varied and innovative set that sees drummer William Bowerman apparently hellbent on destroying his kit. The highlight is the debut outing of a new song, which is by far the most ambitious work on show tonight, and suggests good things for their upcoming album.

Second act Saving Aimee pack their set so full of gimmicks that the music is completely overshadowed by their showmanship, which might very well have been the intention, considering their particular brand of pop-rock offers nothing new. Still, they deserve an A for effort, as they tirelessly drive the crowd into mass clap-alongs, walls of death and circle pits.
Keyboardist Sean even takes to the rafters and swings out over the crowd, to their obvious delight. Saving Aimee may sound exactly the same as a million other bands, but they certainly know how to entertain.

When Kill Hannah take to the stage, the Academy 3 still feels woefully under populated, although you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise judging by the defeaning reception they receive.
Their trance-tinged emo goes down an absolute storm with the crowd, spawning a flurry of stage invasions during the very first song. Although cynism may suggest that the crowd’s hysteria is inspired as much by the fact that tonight is being recorded for an upcoming DVD, as by the band’s performance, Kill Hannah do deliver a flawless and high-energy set.

Several songs receive the sort of reactions usually reserved for much-loved classics, and demonstrate how Kill Hannah are quietly amassing a back catalogue of live favourites.
Their dance-leanings make this gig a slightly surreal experience but, ultimately, it is this quirkiness that makes them such an exciting band to watch.


Review by Jessica Thornsby


<- Back