Midnight, Academy 3, Manchester, 15th June 2022
I knew this gig was going to be high energy but less than 10 seconds into Black ‘n’ Roll, the previously docile crowd erupted into a frenzy. The energy that Midnight project on record is exponentially amplified in a live setting, with the band pacing the stage and inciting crowd surfers and stage divers galore.
I knew this gig was going to be high energy but less than 10 seconds into Black ‘n’ Roll, the previously docile crowd erupted into a frenzy. The energy that Midnight project on record is exponentially amplified in a live setting, with the band pacing the stage and inciting crowd surfers and stage divers galore.
Despite the prominent gap between the stage and the barrier and the presence of security, audience interaction is definitely a major theme. Something about that D-beat and those oh-so nasty riffs is seriously infectious, and the audience were more than happy to oblige. Possibly the quickest pit creation I’ve ever witnessed (impressive having seen many death metal heavy-hitters), which resulted in me wearing most of the beer I was nonchalantly holding.
Serves me right for being so far forward with said beverage but at least I was part of the action. Crowd-pleasers Evil Like A Knife, Poison Trash, Satanic Royalty, and Fucking Speed And Darkness showcase a set list spanning the band’s discography, and what Midnight setlist wouldn’t be complete without a dose of Lust, Filth and Sleaze!? But the more unexpected inclusion of Violence On Violence absolutely made my evening, and even saw the already ferocious audience level-up in terms of pit intensity!
In stark contrast, the energy dissipated briefly during material from new record Let There Be Witchery (Szex Witchery, Telepathic Nightmare) but instantly returned when the band closed the set with You Can’t Stop Steel and Unholy And Rotten, alongside what seemed like an impromptu encore of Endless Slut wrapping up the perfect evening of exquisite debauchery. 9/10