LIVE REVIEW: Goodbye June @ Rebellion, Manchester

Nashville, Tennessee is a name that has become utterly synonymous with music. From a long-established history of producing some of the biggest country and rock and roll artists in the world, to its rapidly rising reputation for its hip hop and pop exports; Nashville was and continues to be a bustling hub of artists and musicians from a vast array of genres. One Nashville artist looking to take their sound worldwide is meat-and-potatoes rock and roll band GOODBYE JUNE, who bring their classic sound to British shores for only the second time ever.

First up were British rock and rollers WOLF JAW. Getting off to a blistering start, the band rattled through some of their newest material plucked from their latest release The Heart Won’t Listen and quickly settled into their rhythm. Gradually winning the Manchester crowd over, WOLF JAW kicked the atmosphere up a notch by jumping into their latest single Piece of Me to give the room more of their blues-rock brilliance.

Musically, the band would easily be at home supporting the likes of RIVAL SONS, GRETA VAN FLEET, or even a band like ROYAL BLOOD. They have a huge, heavy, groove-laden sound that lends itself perfectly to being blasted out of a PA system in a live setting – from dimly lit bars to huge arenas, WOLF JAW‘s music would be right at home. Ending their set with City Lights, WOLF JAW put an end to a performance that was sure to make a big impression on the now bustling room, and judging by the number of people making their way to their merch table after the band finished, they did just that.

Rating: 7/10

With the room almost at capacity and the atmosphere buzzing it was now time for headliners GOODBYE JUNE to take to the stage. Coming in hot from the release of their third studio album Community Inn, the band played a set comprised of songs old and new, with a few surprises in between. Kicking their set off with Rolling Off My Tongue and Natural from their latest release the band were greeted with a barrage of cheers and people mouthing the words to even their newest tracks. Despite the band being a long way from home and having only played in the UK once before, the room was packed with only the most hardcore fans of the band.

One of the highlights and biggest surprises of the night came in the form of the band’s cover of Bulls on Parade by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. While stylistically a total departure from the blues-rock sound the band are known for, they absolutely nailed it. While instrumentally it was a carbon copy of the original, the interesting deviation came because of vocalist Landon Milbourn and the result sounded as if RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE were fronted by Robert Plant in some weird alternate universe. The band managed to capture the essence of the original and do it justice, while also bringing a new dimension to the track.

If you’re not familiar with GOODBYE JUNE, their music is best described as the musical equivalent of comfort food: inviting, familiar, and satisfying. They are a band for those that yearn for the days where what we now define as “classic rock” was king. Where rock stars donned ornate scarves, long flowing hair, and shirts buttoned half-way. A time when getting a new LP was a big deal and you could barely contain your excitement on the drive away from the record shop before you finally got home to your record player to have your first listen. GOODBYE JUNE embody that bygone era and for a few fleeting moments transport you there to experience it all again.

Rating: 7/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here: