As the end of exams slowly rolled on, as did the long-awaited return for Pangaea, the ‘Manchester’ Edition.
With a pretty impressive lineup of A Guy Called Gerald, Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club, Anz, and Amy Becker, the northern themed night stuck to its heritage. On cue, rolled in the Liam and Noels, as well as plenty of Magic Bus fancy dress outfits.
This event was celebrating its 10th year, but long-gone are the days when Pangaea flowed from the Student Union to Academy One and everything in between, with smaller rooms all decorated and accounted for with different music in each. Yet, the seemingly ever-shrinking festival, now confined only just to the SU building, still managed to successfully work with what it had.
The upper floor was tastefully decorated with clouds and umbrellas to remind us of Manchester’s glorious climate. But the rain-themed decor did not dampen any mood, with honey bee and honeycombs as far as the eye could see.
Craig Charles & Funk Soul really brought what it said on the tin: Funk and Soul. Hypnotic rhythms and funky vibes heightened the moods and spirits of everyone.
A Guy Called Gerald similarly blew everyone away. Gerald Simpson, deemed one of the “masterminds of electronic music”, showed his northern roots. As one of the original members of Manchester’s 1990s 808 state, he skillfully and successfully showed the crowd why he is such a master of his art, with his huge anthems such as ‘Voodoo Ray’ showering the crowd with a sense of nostalgia.
Pangaea was full of excitment around every corner, much like the the place we call home. Hats off to all that were involved, you did a cracking job. What a send off!
“Its been a good year ya know. I’ve done a good tour of my own of the UK and Europe, and now I’ve been on tour with one of the biggest pop stars on the planet! That’s not too bad eh?” laughs Jamie Lawson whose just embarked on a Stadium tour with the one and only Ed Sheeran, since being signed with Ed’s record label Gingerbread Records.
“The great thing about Ed is he lets me do what I want to do. I’ve made two records with him already and working on a third, and he never says ‘oh you should do this’ or ‘don’t do this’ he’s always very encouraging making the record I want to make. I think that’s one of the reasons he signed me, is because I know who I am as an artist and what we want to make and create, which are amazing records. he’s very positive and great to work with.”
I ask Lawson if he’s got any more exciting plans coming up after, and he laughs that can anything be more exciting than the stadium tour that he’s doing now, which is a fair point I’ll admit.
He goes on to explain that he’s not having a break after this either, even though there are a lot of days off during this tour, because it is just so huge and it takes ages to move the big stages from city to city, so there’s plenty of time off, rehearsing new songs for the next record. He explains that his band are set up in the next room eagerly waiting for him to finish these interviews (sorry!) so that they can get rehearsing and practising and trying new things for the new music.
Jamie Lawson’s music is wonderfully put together and the lyrics are stunning to listen to, I ask him about his process of writing lyrics. “I don’t know, these things are inside and they want out. I’ve always used singing from a young age as a way of purging, for use of a better word. I’m not very good at talking or reaching out about feelings, so I tend to put all of those emotions into songs and elaborate on that and make it bigger. I like to find interesting imagery and new ways of making that come to life.”
Jamie doesn’t have any least favourite songs to perform: “If I didn’t like the song I wouldn’t perform it, it’s that simple really”. But for favourites, “I would think maybe the first song of the set ‘Fall Into Me’ it’s a really good way to get people up on their feet and joining in and getting involved.” ‘Ahead of Myself’, which is the final song of the set, where Lawson tries to get the crowd to sing harmonies, “is fun to do and to hear.”
He doesn’t really get nerves either, he explains: “I just never got it, the only time I get nervous is when there are TV things because I feel like I don’t have control over that, but gigs and performing things like that dont seem to bother me that much. I mean its like all things, the more you do it the easier it gets, and there’s not a huge amount of opportunities to do television but that’s the thing that gets me the most.”
I ask Jamie what his best advice would be for people who are just starting out. “You’re in Manchester right? Manchester has a great songwriter scene, honestly one of the best i’ve ever been a part of, so, if you’re a songwriter, get out and watch as many others as you can, meet as many others as you can. Don’t be afraid to say hello to anyone ever. Write as much as you can and dig as much as you can too. My favourite nights are places like the Whisky Jar in NQ, they have great songwriters nights and I still play there now when I get the chance, and I’m never the best! But just keep at it and at it and at it, keep gigging as much as you can. ”
Lauren Mayberry put on a spellbinding display as the synth-pop Glaswegian trio lit up the Seat stage on Thursday night. A spectacle of mesh and elegance, the singer brought the tracks to life, ‘The Mother We Share’ and ‘Leave A Trace’ particular highlights in the edgy set.
Jorja Smith
Photo: Yasmin Duggal @ The Mancunion
The singer has just turned 21, but already has the world in the palm of her hand, evident as she crooned through each ballad with majestic effortlessness. She did look mightily regal in her emerald gown, demonstrating a multi-faceted artistic personality, as she surprised the masses with her politically charged album track ‘Lifeboats’, tackling not only heartbreak but the sense of hopelessness faced by youth in Britain.
Haim
Who knew Haim were this brilliantly bonkers? Face-melting guitar solos, chilling harmonies and a drum finale to end all encores placed Haim as one of the most interesting and diverse acts on the Primavera bill.
Arctic Monkeys
Photo: Yasmin Duggal @ The Mancunion
Rocking a white suit like no other man could and peering coolly over his tinted aviators at the Primavera masses, Alex Turner delivered what could have been a solely gripping one man show, but which had the advantage of the band’s phenomenal union of sound behind it. The new material which is undoubtedly experimental surprisingly blended sublimely into the setlist of Sheffield brawls and Turner’s heartache, tinging the set with a retro tint which freshened up the Monkeys sound with a newfound completeness.
Vince Staples
Photo: Primavera Sound Press
One of the many rappers to be represented at the festival this year, Compton-born Vince Staples showed Barcelona how Americans get down. The energy in his set was not only tangible but infectious, as the heavy bass and vibrant hype rippled through the crowd to evoke a party atmosphere.
Tom Misch
Groovy and relaxed, Tom Misch is everyone’s favourite new musician, and a surprise appearance from Loyle Carner for much-loved ‘Crazy Dream’ only increased the hype. Tom’s set didn’t need pyro or special effects – the instrumentals spoke for themselves as the sun set over the marina. His saxophonist sister Laura made the performance close to home for Tom, and the easy funk of his melodies got the crowd feeling the holiday spirit.
A$AP Rocky
Photo: Primavera Sound Press
Fireworks weren’t only in the air following A$AP’s late-night set, which bounced unexpectedly well off Alex Turner’s magnificent finale on the opposite headline stage. Commanding the stage single-handedly in a jailer’s boiler suit, A$AP delivered track after track with an ice-cool demeanour and rockstar thrills. ‘Everyday’ featuring the vocals of Rod Stewart was the highlight of the set, unsettlingly piercing the Barcelona night.
Skepta
Believe it or not, but bringing out A$AP Rocky for the live performance of ‘Praise The Lord (Da Shine)’ was not the only highlight of Skepta’s set. Alongside other appearances from Jesse and members of Boy Better Know, the energy erupting from Skepta’s set was proof that even at 2am, after the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Mr Rocky himself, British grime is the best in the game. Tracks from his latest album Konnichiwa caused a storm whilst new material offered a fresh perspective on the king of the genre.
Lorde
Photo: Primavera Sound Press
Damn, this girl can dance. Backed by stunning choreography, Lorde smashed her Saturday headline spot with grace and tangible passion. From a mirage of twirls and fancy lifts, her most iconic tracks shone through with performative bite. Lorde expertly demonstrated her prowess not only as an all-round performer, but as a headliner.
Dekmantel
Taking over the decks at the Desperados stage on Saturday afternoon, Dekmantel residents caused a sand storm on the beach stretch of Primavera. Disco-infused sets with unexpected track drops made for exciting listening, prompting carnival-esque excitement at the seemingly unpredictable nature of the tunes.
