My Bloody Valentine made a thunderous return to Manchester on Monday night, their first UK show since 2018, at Aviva Studios. The Irish shoegaze icons, known for their ear-splitting volume, did not disappoint, with stewards offering ear plugs to the crowd before the gig.
The band's connection to Manchester runs deep: their 1991 album 'Loveless' nearly bankrupted Creation Records, the label that later signed Oasis. Despite only one album since, 2013's 'm b v', the band's influence remains immense. No new material was played, but the set drew heavily from 'Loveless' and earlier work.
From the opening 'I Only Said' and 'When You Sleep', the volume was overwhelming, described as music you feel rather than hear. The percussion alone rattled internal organs. Kevin Shields' perfectionism was evident, but technical difficulties plagued the show: the PA cut out twice during 'Soon', dedicated to the late Mani of The Stone Roses, forcing a 15-minute delay.
Shields was curt with the crowd, dismissing a request for his solo track 'City Girl', but supported chants for a free Palestine, teaching the audience the word 'ponerology'. The delay saw the crowd thin as the 11pm curfew approached.
Those who stayed were rewarded with an extended version of 'You Made Me Realise', featuring six minutes of squalling guitar feedback. The set was described as part sonic ecstasy, part endurance test, proving My Bloody Valentine are still not for the faint of heart.
