The Guest List have been appearing on our Spotify mixes a lot the past few months and after seeing them open for Inhaler in Leeds last month we knew we had to catch them live again. On Wednesday night the Mancunian quintet headlined The Grace in London and the show did not disappoint. It was a night packed with emotion, sincerity and impressive vocal delivery.
First, fellow Manchester based indie rock band Florentenes took the stage. We weren’t familiar with the band before we heard they were opening for this show, but a quick listen had us instantly hooked. The four-piece opened their set with recent single The Gun, a strong and energetic rock song which expertly blends punchy drums, catchy guitar riffs and fast-paced vocals in a way which leaves you in awe of each instrument. They went on to play a dynamic selection of their small but growing discography, showcasing their ability to also master slower, emotive tunes with Glue, a track off their 2024 EP 14:17. Florentenes had an impressive stage presence, commanding the small stage and captivating the attention of everyone in the audience, with their young age being the only clue precluding the audience from assuming the band had been performing live for years.
The energy cultivated in the crowd by Florentenes persisted, with everyone singing along to the well-crafted pre-show playlist. Soon, The Guest List took the stage, met by enthusiastic cheers from a tightly packed crowd. Going straight into Steel Police, an energetic track with a rhythmic pulse and melodic guitar riffs, we quickly got a feel for the impressive set we had ahead of us. Next came Loose Tongue and with the crowd loudly singing along it quickly became clear that the band had broken free from gigs attended solely by venue regulars and that they were now surrounded by dedicated fans. Frontman Cai Alty’s vocals and stage presence felt casual and effortless whilst simultaneously unveiling clear talent. He was joined on stage by bandmates Angus Gilchrist (drums), Sid Wallace (bass), Leio Hunter (guitar) and Tom Quigley (guitar), all bringing unique expertise to their instruments which complemented each other’s performances skilfully.
The Guest List released their self-titled EP in 2022 and have since released a handful of singles, but it quickly became clear that what is currently available on streaming services is not where their discography ends. The 14 song setlist alternated their well-known songs with unreleased tunes, showcasing the range the quintet has as a band. From slower, tender songs such as Mary to powerful ballads such as Plasticine Heart, it is clear the band have great things in store for future releases. They have been playing a selection of these unreleased songs at recent shows and there was a good proportion of the audience already singing along, especially to Weatherman, demonstrating the dedicated fanbase the band have built for themselves.
Lyrically, The Guest List has a talent for poetic yet uncomplicated sincerity, something which drew us to the band on first listen. Live, the delivery of such lyrics is even more impressive as they were able to conjure emotion in a way that took us aback. There were moments in their slower, emotive songs such as Borderline where I felt myself well up due to the pure raw emotion. Another highlight for the gig was their performance of London, which the band of course dedicated to the London crowd. In addition to The Guest List’s signature rich melodies London has a broody, introspective feel to it and there was something therapeutic about singing “take me to London” amongst a loud and passionate London crowd.
The night drew to a close with two of the band’s most popular songs, Canada and 161. After the unreleased tunes that were less familiar, this drove the energy of the crowd back up again for a strong finish. These tunes are popular for a reason and complemented each other beautifully to end the show; Canada is a catchy indie anthem with the feel of an instant classic whereas 161 is a soft tuneful homage to Manchester and the soldiers who lost their lives there during the war.
Many legendary bands have come out of the vibrant Manchester music scene, and with unique performances from both Florentenes and The Guest List, our night at The Grace made it clear that the city’s music legacy is yet to subside.