Live Review : Punk Rock Factory + A New Hope @ Academy 3 in Manchester on December 2nd 2021

I arrive as A New Hope start their set within a fairly busy Academy 3. I would insert a Star Wars reference here but I know nothing and won’t embarrass myself so you can fill in for yourselves! Making my way to my usual position at the front I try to figure out their slightly squashed stage set up. A little way into proceedings it becomes obvious their singer is missing (apparently due to illness), so much respect to the band for going ahead with tonight’s performance. From where I am stood I see the drummer, guitarist and bassist. Behind the speakers I can hear someone else but I can’t see him.

They sound quite heavy and I’m not sure they are my thing but as the set progresses the vibe is quite bouncy and energetic and I’m suitably impressed. Even without their singer they deliver a solid set. They have a few hardened fans right up at the front but engage well with the rest of the room too, especially when we are asked to light up the room with our phone torches. 

A New Hope have been together since 2017 and cite they work as Metal influenced guitars with pop punk vocals and melody. Their unique sound comes from the use of electronic elements so that explains the voice and sounds I hear but not see! And despite having no singer (I don’t know if the other members of the band usually contribute quite so much to the vocals) they do a great job tonight. The guitarist’s vocals fade out a bit at times but they are here to entertain and I like what I hear. They are a complimentary fit for tonight’s headliners, so if that sounds like your thing definitely check out their latest single ‘Swag Bag’, which came out a few weeks ago. 

Next up is our headlining act and the room is very busy now as Punk Rock Factory take to the stage. A beautiful pink drum kit is in place with accompanying pink Marshall amp and the guys get straight into their first song, which is the truly epic “Thundercats” theme song. 

I first heard the band on Primordial Radio covering songs from Moana and heard good things about their performance at Bloodstock. Now I’m down the front and looking forward to an evening of cover song delights. Their website describes their live performances as “high octane energy” and I cannot wait. This is set to be a great night! 

Formed in 2014, the guys have three albums including this year’s “Masters of Uniwurst”, which comprises covers of kids TV show theme tunes. The guys clearly love what they do and why wouldn’t they? It has FUN stamped all over it and already I want to hit the pub with them after the show as they look like the perfect companions for a messy night out… while also looking like the kind of boys you could take home to have Sunday lunch with your family. 

They charge through a variety of well-known songs including ‘Blinded by the Light’, ‘Under the Sea’ (Darling, it's better, Down where it's wetter, Take it from me – snort, so childish!), then into ‘Pokemon’, before we get more Disney classics from their 2020 album “A Whole New Wurst” including ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ from The Lion King and ‘I’ll Make a Man Out of You’ from Mulan. And might I add if you don’t know these songs and films you should not only listen to Punk Rock Factory, but you should also spend your Christmas hols watching some Disney magic! (The best film of course being Muppets Christmas Carol – no contest). And if you think Disney films are only for kids… don’t forget to GFY. 

Despite my love of Disney, and I’m sure many others who have young children would agree… I’m not a Frozen fan… I have simply seen it toooooo many times. However when Punk Rock Factory start singing ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman’ I can’t help but smile. It’s very noisy and fast and definitely an improvement on the original (the 4 year-old daughter begs to differ and on watching the video says she does not like it… arrh well I tried. At least she like Smashing Pumpkins so it’s not all bad). 

We skip into the Animaniacs theme tune... 1993 in case you are wondering (had to Google that!) I guess the band and I are a similar age, maybe they’re a bit younger as when they refer to their 00s Rock/ Metal covers they say all the bangers from when they were teenagers (gulp!) Despite all the antics on stage I must say these guys really are accomplished musicians. To take all these well-known songs, play them in their own style and hit all the right notes is pretty impressive. And it’s about to get even better…

One of the highlights of the night is their rendition of ‘You’re Welcome’ famously performed by Dwayne Johnson in Moana. Now I may dislike Frozen but I definitely have a soft spot for Moana. It’s a wonderful film (that and Inside Out) and the soundtrack is superb. The crowd is loving it and signing along, so much so that when we get to the rap it’s over to us and suffice to say many of us know all the words… 

“And the tapestry here on my skin, Is a map of the victories I win, Look where I've been, I make everything happen, Look at that mean mini-Maui just tickety-tappin' (Ha ha ha ha ha ha, hey)”

“Come on (in my best Maui voice) what’s not to like?!” 

A pause in proceedings and singer/ guitarist Peej splits the audience in two for the obligatory sing-off. Moana? No! He gets us all shouting “Sau-sage”. Of course our side of the room is loudest and much hilarity ensues before he launches headlong into his own recital of the Maui rap. Terrific. 

A few more song later we get the theme to ‘Fun House’ which once more has me grinning from ear to ear. I grab a video and immediately send to my bro 10,000 miles away on the central coast of Australia. A wave of nostalgia. Fond memories of watching as a kid and wishing to go on the show.

Then their attention turns to Christmas (please not Wham, please not Wham – I’m not ready to go to Whamhalla so early in Dec). Luckily it’s Shakin’ Stevens ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’. A few swear words later from Peej and profuse apologies to a little one at the front of the crowd (there are a few little ones here tonight, which is lovely to see) they tell us they have released a Christmas single and are hoping to get to Number 1. There are much worse Christmas songs they could cover and despite not being the biggest fan of Christmas, there is so much positivity in the room and dare I say it joy (no thoughts of Covid variants) that it’s impossible to not get into the festive spirit. They have already hit the number 1 spot in the Rock chart, so do get hold of the single and see if we can support them to get into the main chart.

The final few songs include more brilliance in the form of ‘Go Your Own Way’ Fleetwood Mac, ‘Last Resort’ Papa Roach, more Frozen ‘Let It Go’ (daughter didn’t like that video either), Power Rangers theme, ‘Land Down Under’ Men At Work and last but by no means least ‘How Far I'll Go’ from Moana. Then they tell us they are sticking around to meet everyone at the end, what thoroughly nice chaps!

You can see why their Disney album had over 2.4 million streams within two months. Leo Moracchioli may have over 4.4 million subscribers on YouTube but I think he has stiff competition with this lot. With over 350,000 followers on TikTok (what’s this!? I am old I haven’t ventured into this realm but venture there if you dare!) they are certainly destined to go onto much, much bigger things. I am really thankful for the opportunity to have seen them in this small venue for what has truly been a well-overdue night of laughs and smiles.