GBH + More at The Academy in Manchester, UK on 1 June 2024.
I’ve been to a few of the “… Calling” punk festivals over the past few years and have really enjoyed them all. I’ve always found them to be well organised, with reasonably priced beer, a good selection of bands and a really friendly crowd. The NW Calling 2024 edition certainly didn’t disappoint, with a broad selection of new and old bands to suit most tastes.
Unfortunately, The Exploited had to pull out a while before the event, due to Wattie’s health issues. But, the list of bands appearing early on the bill, and the fact that GBH were playing later, was enough to keep me interested.
Some impressions of the bands that I saw:
Wonk Unit:
A band that was known to me by name, but which I had never managed to catch live before. Some mates of mine are fans, so Wonk Unit came highly recommended. They were the big revelation of the festival for me. There’s something a bit unusual about their sound which I couldn’t quite put my finger on, mixed with a good sense of humour. I really enjoyed their set and will make sure that I catch them live again when I next get the opportunity.
Crashed Out:
A band that I have seen a few times and they stand out as one of the oi/street punk bands that have something a bit different to offer. They’ve been around for ages, but their older songs sound just as fresh as the newer ones. A slightly different line up to when I saw them in Essen in February. The young lad on guitar (the lead guitarist’s son) did a fine job, as did the new drummer. They don’t hide their passion for the Angelic Upstarts, which is easily detected in their sound. They have recently played a date or 2 covering AU songs as a tribute to the late Mensi, which I would have liked to have seen.
Gimp Fist and Resistance 77 put in solid performances, but neither quite did it for me.
Theatre of Hate:
Another highlight of the day for me, and the black-clad members of the audience certainly got their money’s worth. Stan (the Man) is in my opinion still one of the coolest bass players in the business.
GBH:
For me, the best performance of the day (as if there was going to be any doubt 
). One of my favourite bands around at the moment and some of the nicest people I know. So, I admit to being totally biased here, but IMHO they performed a brilliant set, the best band of the day. Period.
Anti Nowhere League:
I was never particularly a fan of theirs back in the day, but having seen them a few times in recent months, I am really warming to them. I enjoyed their set, and even sang along to a few songs. Jamie is such a great drummer and the guitar and bass players did a very good job too.
I caught the end of The Rezillos and the beginning of the Cockney Rejects, but neither could follow GBH and ANWL in my eyes, so I called it a day. I missed Buzzcocks completely, but I had seen them a few months earlier. They were my favourite punk band back in the early punk days of the late 70s, but without Pete Shelley, I can’t really get into them. Sorry.
