Canadian pop-punk outfit PUP made their return to Manchester performing at The Ritz for a night of cathartic live music.
WHO WILL LOOK AFTER THE DOGS?
The UK Tour that PUP are currently in the midst of is in support of their fifth full length release, Who Will Look After The Dogs? In-between the album’s release and the show itself, I was getting more and more excited just thinking about hearing the new songs in the live setting. The album’s rough and ready production reflects the energy from band, and I couldn’t wait to experience that energy up close and personal.
As PUP grace the stage to riotous applause from the crowd, they waste no time whatsoever in kicking things off. They hit the audience with the immediate two track sucker-punch that opens their latest release, No Hope and Olive Garden. As expected, the songs hit even harder in the live show. Something that’s surprising is how familiar the crowd are to these new tracks. The new album has only been out for less than two weeks. It really shows how passionate the fans are and how much the band means to them.
OLD HITS / FAN FAVOURITES
At this point of the night, frontman Stefan Babcock mentions how special it is hearing fans sing back their new material. That’s not to say there isn’t room for old hits and fan favourites, with the band seamlessly going into My Life Is Over & I Couldn’t Be Happier. The song continues the energy, setting the mood for what the rest of the night has to offer.
The set moves from banger to banger. As PUP reach Sleep In The Heat, the crowd erupt instantly. The emotion of the song’s lyrical content is even more potent with the audience echoing the backing vocals like a choir. It is a beautiful moment in-between the chaos. Following, the band launch into Morbid Stuff, the title track of their 2019 album. Looking around, people grab their friends and sing in pure euphoria. It’s another sweet moment that demonstrates how effective the band are at creating music that really resonates with their audience.
DVP
Blasting through their set, PUP reach what feels like the peak in crowd reaction with the song DVP. Drinks are flying and bodies are moving as everyone in the building screams the song’s chorus back to the band. New track Hunger for Death is impeccably placed to follow, giving the crowd time to slow down and singalong. Reaching its ending, a litter of bodies start to emerge with person after person crowd surfing to the front of the venue. It’s a sight to behold before the band start the final few songs of the night.
From this point on, it’s all killer no filler. Paranoid with Zach and Jake from support band Illuminati Hotties kicks things back off perfectly. With each song played, the crowd and band seem to be going wilder. This culminates with the final two tracks, starting with Reservoir. With Illuminati Hotties singer Sarah Tudzin accompanying on vocals, the song absolutely soars. It’s the craziest crowd reaction of the night and a moment I won’t be forgetting any time soon. Full Blown Meltdown closes the set, a short but sweet moment of pure punk rock energy.
The show was truly a euphoric evening that saw the band put on a wildly entertaining and feel-good performance. It’s no surprise with the band having been together for well over ten years, but they were so tight on stage throughout. PUP is an absolute riot on the live stage.
Check out the rest of PUP’s tour dates here.
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