Live Review

Mayday Parade – Academy 2, Manchester

• 31st Mar 2010

The five smartly-attired members of Tallahassee’s Mayday Parade gather in the middle of the stage together before launching into tonight’s high-energy set. Whatever magic words of inspiration are exchanged, work – there’s not a moment where the band aren’t bounding across the stage, much to the delight of their audience.

From the reaction they are met with, it’s hard to believe it’s only Mayday Parade’s second visit to the UK, and even harder to believe it’s been two years since they last graced our stages. Though third on the bill, they have drawn a huge crowd and, whichever direction you look in, there’s a dedicated fan to be seen, singing their heart out, the band’s name emblazoned across their chest. The inclusion of ‘Three Cheers For Five Years’ from their first EP demonstrates just how devoted their fans are – girls scream, limbs flail, and all eyes are on the quintet as they skilfully leap and spin their way through their strong pop-punk repertoire.

Even those who are not familiar with the band are enraptured, and not a single person can resist the band’s passion and genuine enjoyment – the whole room dances and cheers throughout the set. Singer Derek’s charming rapport coaxes even the most sceptical viewers to get involved. The set flies by, with anthem ‘Jamie All Over’ as the perfect climax. If their command of other audiences on this tour is equally successful, next time they return to our shores it will most certainly be to play a sold-out headline tour.