Words by Vicky Greer and photos by Billy Perrett.
It’s easy to feel like the music industry is broken. Hell, it’s easy to feel like the whole world is broken when you turn on the news.
But every so often, there’s a voice that fights to prove you wrong. Millie Manders is one of them.
Last night, Millie Manders and The Shutup took to the stage at The 1865, joined by Ramona’s Tea Party and We Know John. The band are no strangers to Southampton, and this is the biggest stage they’ve played in our city, celebrating their recent album, Wake Up, Shut Up, Work.
We spoke to Manders earlier in the year, delving into her outspoken politics and experience in the music industry. It’s not easy for an independent band; she spoke at length about the challenges they’ve had to overcome.
But last night, in a blaze of punk glory, it’s all worth it.
The night begins with We Know John, a charismatic ska band who greet the crowd with trumpets and trombones as well as slick guitar solos. They perform with fabulous energy, each one of them clearly having the best time on the stage.
Next up are Norway’s Ramona’s Tea Party. Without a doubt, this is one of the finest support acts I’ve ever had the pleasure to see. The room may only be half full at this point in the night, but the four-piece spin, leap, and high-kick their way across the stage as if they’re headlining a festival in front of thousands. Their take on punk is a technicolour dream, an exuberant cross between contemporaries The Linda Lindas and Problem Patterns with an infectious joie de vivre.
Take it from me: no matter how awful your day, week, or month has been, Ramona’s Tea Party are the band to pull you from the slump and restore your faith in the world.
Finally, we reach our headliners, the equally exceptional Millie Manders and the Shutup. They show no fear about taking on a bigger stage, bursting out and taking control from the get-go.
Manders is a natural performer; every movement on stage is precise and yet totally genuine. Musically, she’s a chameleon, bouncing between vocals fit for a pop icon (the dizzying high notes of ‘Halloween’ and ‘Me Too’ must be heard to be believed) and old-school punk (the razor-sharp cool of ‘Threadbare’).
Politics and social justice are at the fore of everything they do. Their stage features trans pride flags, and their guitarist’s jacket is emblazoned with a cathartic “Fuck TERFS”. ‘Can I Get Off?’ brings this outspoken attitude to the stage, highlighting global atrocities and denouncing this country’s government.
But there are moments of joy, too.
The storm of bubbles unleashed by members of Ramona’s Tea Party who run through the crowd during ‘Fun Sponge’ and the crowd singalongs conducted during ‘Here We Go Again’ and ‘Rebound’. Really, this is everything punk should be – a careful balance of rage and joy that reaffirms your faith in music.
More than just an entertaining evening out, this night was life-affirming.
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