Live Review : Lagerstein + Red Rum @ Satan's Hollow, Manchester on September 23rd 2018.

I had to start someday so why not today. After having photographed many bands over the last couple of years, I have never really put pen to paper except on rare occasions when I though I knew what I was talking about. Now is the time, the first time. Except for that TNT gig in Norway.

The festivals season is over and done, the students are back to what they do best (drinking) and bands are once again touring our local clubs. The australians Lagerstein are currently visiting the UK on their Young, Dumb & Full of Rum Tour and last night were in Manchester Satan's Hollow supported by Nottigham's Red Rum.

With cited influences such as Jungle Juice, Beer, Rum, Scotch, Whiskey, Rum, Jager, Vodka and finally Goon, I did not know what to expect from the Pirate Metal bands. As I have never been to Satan's Hollow either, I didn't know the venue and what to expect from a photographic point of view.

All of this was quickly settled as I got into the venue. Having missed a couple of local bands, I was surprised to see that Red Rum were already going through their paces. The unusual early start at 6.30 meant that the party was in full swing and beer was flowing by 8.00, and when I say flowing, I should probably say flying.

No pit, poor lighting and flying beer, slippery floors are a photographer nightmare, I won't go into much details as to why, I guess its common sense. But what da heck, there is a pirate party in the making and a large part of the crowd has made the effort of dressing up for the occasion.

Lagerstein, right from the start, set the scene for what's about to happen. Once the first song finished, a light break in the set allows one of the guitarist to stylishly refresh from his boot. Yes, that's right, you've read this right.

Once at large, the set is then plain sailing, with waves of punk, rock, ska and folk overtones. One might think that 7 guys on high energy drinks, dancing and jumping on such a small stage would be a recipe for multiple injuries and disaster, instead each one of them keep you entertained and pull you in. A slower folk-ish tune later in the set allows everyone to seat on the floor (same floor as the one mentioned earlier) and catch their breath, before the final storm.

Epic gig, catch them now on their current UK tour. Savvy!

Words and photography by Johann Wierzbicki