The Go! Team

As part of their launch in Manchester, XFM are offering up some rare treats indeed as part of their Access All April promotion – big bands playing in small venues across the city, with tonight throwing up one of the best of the series, The Go! Team at the tiny Roadhouse.

The room is no more than local church hall size, and is legendary for its homemade rain, as condensation that forms on the low roof of the basement venue falls back on the punters who expelled the sweat in the first place.

You’re not quite sure what to expect from the Team, given that on the album ‘Thunder Lightening Strike!’ there is so much going on underneath leading lady Ninja’s vocals, and you wonder how it will mould together. In fact it’s better in the flesh, and surprisingly rocks, right from the first bar of opening number ‘Panther Dash’.

As soon as they start the stage is bouncing, only lanky bassist Jamie resisting the urge to jump on the spot for fear of concussion from the beams, and the audience is compelled to join in by the sheer joy and positivity of what they hear. Even the song titles belt out an upbeat message – ‘Get It Together’, ‘We Just Won’t Be Defeated’, ‘Everyone’s a VIP to Someone' ... this is the Go! Team’s party, but everyone is invited, and even on tip-toes (the camber at the Roadhouse is not great) some serious dancing can be done.

Given the energy that the band give out, it’s no surprise that a break is required, and halfway through softly spoken drummer Chi comes forward to sing a sweet ditty with just a piano backing. Soon though, the ever smiling, always dancing Ninja is back and we’re into ‘Bottle Rocket’. The words are totally unintelligible, but who cares when it feels this good.

Of course, all these good vibes are worthless without the music, but that’s top notch. Warm nostalgia permeates the tunes with many sounding as though they would be equally at home fronting a 70’s TV show. There are riffs from guitars as you might expect, but how about from sampled horns, mouth organ, melodica or even every primary schoolchild’s favourite, the Recorder?

“Cover your heads everyone, we’re gonna bring the roof down” we’re advised as ‘Titanic Vandalism’ starts. During the closing ‘Ladyflash’, Ninja stands on the edge of the stage, towering above the audience thanks to some well placed equipment cases, and shows us some moves from around the world.

It’s a magical mix ... absolutely irresistible. The roof rain may not have had time to form and fall down, but the heavens still opened and allowed us in to witness this terrific band on brilliant form.

FUTURE GIGS