It seems since their tour with Every Time I Die and well deserved Kerrang! cover the name Knocked Loose has been gaining ground and tonight was quick to sell out. It’s Monday and it’s sweltering even before any bands have hit the stage. As opener Guilt Trip takes stage dance moves quick to appear but not quite as impactful as Broken Teeth who take to the stage some time later to really kick the evening off. Shirts are next to quickly disappear. Another hardcore band who hail from Manchester and shout it proudly. Vocalist Dale appears like some combat warrior onstage as he patrols up and down throwing kicks and mics into peoples faces. The end of the set sees some fans take over the mic throughout and throw them selves off the stage with fury. It also sees security double and take side of stage looking confused and terrified.
In between tours the band have grabbed the opportunity to play some UK dates and back at the sold out Clwb Ifor Bach – a date they say they’ve been looking forward to. Clwb can be a brilliant venue for hardcore shows – the atmosphere always feels like a ‘mates fest’ and the stage perfect enough for the band and crowd to connect (and throw themselves off until their heart’s content)… but before they take to the stage Oasis play over the PA and cause quite the mixed reaction, “I fucking hate Oasis” comments a fan at the front and at this point in the night it certainly feels like trolling.
Knocked Loose are quick to make fans feel welcome. Shows like this always feel like it’s about the participation and it literally takes two seconds for that gap in front of stage to swarm with fans and creep onto the stage, especially when they break into Billy No Mates early on – it sends a wave fans colliding and screaming their lungs out. Bryan takes a second to pause before exhibiting a face of determination before taking a run up and diving into the crowd like some professional swimming athlete.
Pride week gets a speech and dedication along with the fans in which nearly every song sees a member call for action from the crowd and boy to they deliver as bodies fly, fists fly and sweat flies. It’s uncomfortably hot in Clwb but that isn’t stopping anyone. “This is for the moshers” shouts Bryan – their music certainly has some early 2000s distinction and feels more accessible in the current hardcore scene. Having seen them not too long ago on tour with Every Time I Die it was impressive to see them comfortable as main support and made it more intriguing to see them in an intimate venue. They end quite abruptly but no one wants to leave. To put it bluntly it’s been short but sweet.
9/10
