WHO ARE THEY?
A local four-piece who describe themselves as the 'ugly ducks' of Manchester indie – a title which they clearly wear with pride. Defiantly retro, The Bright Black borrow liberally from the best parts of 70s rock, funk and soul, melding the snarling, heavy riffage of Led Zeppelin with the sultry dancefloor manifestos of Chic and Sly and the Family Stone. In contrast to that old-school sound, however, the band's lyrics are very much rooted in contemporary issues. Latest single, Serotonin, is a thrilling funk-fuelled odyssey with lyrics tackling the subject of toxic masculinity and gender binary norms.
A potent mix of rock'n'soul classicism and sharp social commentary, the band have been building a formidable live reputation over the past 18 months, from sold-out headline shows to high-profile support slots with the likes of Yungblud, Larkins and Razorlight. Self-proclaimed 'ugly ducks' they might be, but if there's any place where misfits can prosper and find an appreciative audience, it's surely the Manchester music scene.
FOR FANS OF
The 1975, Chic, LANY, INXS.
MAKE A DATE
The Bright Black play Off The Square on Saturday 23 November. More info at thebrightblack.com
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