Speedy Ortiz - The Deaf Institute, Manchester

2013 was practically a re-run of 1991, and if you’re like myself, you’d have loved it. We had Parquet Courts, Milk Music, California X, Waxahatchee, Coke Weed and possibly the best of the lot, Speedy Ortiz.

Already hailing from Massachusetts, home of original alt rockers Dinosaur Jr and Pixies, Speedy Ortiz went one further and enlisted Justin Pizzoferrato as engineer. Having worked with Dinosaur Jr on a number of albums, as well as Sonic Youth, he was sure to give them that early 90s sound. Despite the Massachusetts connections, it’s actually California’s Pavement to whom they sound closest, but having Sadie Dupuis on vocals ensures there’s enough originality to their songs.

In typical slacker fashion, they amble onstage, no intro music, no lights dimmed or build up. The background music (Goat’s World Music) is brought to an abrupt halt and they launch into the first track. Most of Major Arcana is played tonight, along with tracks from their new Real Hair EP which has just been released.

They rock harder live than on record. Even album highlight 'No Below', one of the slower tracks from Major Arcana, is a lot heavier tonight. It’s not a bad thing either, and it would be interesting to see them carry that across to their next album.

Vocally, Dupuis is spot on tonight but she’s not the only stand-out talent in the group. The whole band are excellent but guitarist Matt Robidoux holds it all together. He doesn’t look like your typical rock guitarist, but he strangles some slanted and enchanted noises from his instrument.

The Deaf Institute is rammed and it’s not the easiest venue to move around. As the band finish and it becomes obvious there’s no encore, the place starts to empty so I venture forward to try and get hold of the setlist. It's then I discover Sadie and Matt working the merchandise counter. Straight off stage to the merch desk - that’s what a band has to do these days to earn a living. So I buy something and get it signed to show my support for a great gig.

If you’re of a certain age and miss the good old days of the early 90s, with bands like Sleater-Kinney, The Breeders, Pavement, Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr, or any other great American band whose songs were chock-full of melodies but still rocked hard, don’t miss out on this revival and Speedy Ortiz in particular.