The Jessie Rose Trip - Sound Control, Manchester 19/03/10 Live Review 2010

A smattering of new music venues have opened their doors in Manchester over recent months and it was in one such venue, Sound Control, that The Jessie Rose Trip chose to hold the launch of their single 'You Won't Forget Me Boy'.

Set over three floors, the gig was nestled away on the top level, with an audience that made it obvious from the outset that they were ardent fans of a Manchester band that has been gaining a strong reputation around those parts of late.

Surprisingly, the venue wasn't full to capacity; as a 14+ gig, you could have been forgiven for thinking the teenage masses would revel in the chance to take in some local music. However, performing just down the road at Manchester Academy was Paloma Faith, who has a similar appeal to the band and who had the youngsters queuing outside the venue many hours before she was due on-stage.

Well-known for her love of shopping and all things vintage, Jessie Rose didn't disappoint with her attire. Quite how this 21 year old manages to pull off a 50s housewife look so effortlessly is anybody guess, but she does and there's no doubt her style adds something to her onstage presence. The rest of the band didn't let the side down either; smart and tidy with just the odd pair of 'does he really need those?' oversized glasses thrown in.

The sound quality throughout the set was poor; Jessie Rose's voice was intermittently overshadowed by feedback and the acoustics of the venue didn't work for a band that has the depth of sound that this band has to offer. The B-side of the single, 'You're Not My Man', for instance, sounds better on record than it did live.

The beauty of The Jessie Rose Trip, in all senses, is Jessie Rose herself; it seems the audience and her band are fully accepting of the fact that it's all about her. Her broad Northern accent means she's immediately welcomed with open arms and her regular requests for audience participation during tracks such as 'Sold My Soul' are readily accepted.

With support in the audience from fellow Manchester band Kid British, this was never going to be a gig where the band had to prove themselves; having been on the local circuit for sometime now, in the eyes of many, they have already done so.

The arrival of one of the band's new songs, 'Kiss Curls' was a welcome treat; referencing the much-coveted 'Summertime' at its beginning, the quality of sound was much better and the appearance of a trumpet at the beginning of the track surely left more than one member of the audience thinking about taking lessons in the instrument.

The lead's vocals remain a surprise, no matter how many times you see them perform; her usual Northern lilt disappears and is replaced by a deeper, more soulful sound. Not wanting to lessen Jessie's individuality, but think a cross of Paloma Faith and Noisettes' lead singer Shingai Shoniwa; pretty impressive stuff, especially when coupled with Jessie's boundless energy and natural charisma.

Ending the set with enthusiastic high fives to the crowd and pleas to buy the single so it 'makes it into the Top 40', The Jessie Rose Trip satisfied the needs of those that traipsed through the Manchester drizzle to see them. Here's hoping that bigger and better venues await them in future.

Katy Ratican