Concert Review: DEVILSKIN with SUMO CYCO at the Rebellion Bar in Manchester

DEVILSKIN with SUMO CYCO and EVA PLAYS DEAD at the Rebellion Bar in Manchester – 14 March 2017

Review and Photos by Stuart Cockerham

The Rebellion Bar on Deansgate Locks is quickly becoming one of the most popular venues for live music in Manchester, and it’s here that tonight’s rock fest is happening. With Gojira playing down the road this evening it was always going to be a tall order to pack the place out, but the room was filling up nicely in time for Eva Plays Dead.

I have not heard much about these guys and this was the first time I had seen them live. What a start to the evening! Eva Plays Dead put on a great show, punchy vocals and heavy riffs really got the crowd in the mood for the following acts. If you are planning on going to this tour make sure you get these early as it would be a travesty to miss them.

Next up and co headlining were my guilty pleasure and new favourite band. It’s hard to describe just how good Sumo Cyco are live. From the fat bass lines to the technical drumming to the insanely powerful yet melodic guitars Sumo Cyco have it all. Singer Skye Sweetnam is just incredible; her stage presence and ability to dominate the room is amazing. She jumps from speakers to the bar, pops up at the sound desk, and just as you think it’s calming down, she jumps on guitarist Matt “MD13” Drake’s shoulders and creates her own mosh pit. It was nice to see an extended set now they are higher up on the bill so as well as the favourites like “Fighter” and “Anti-Anthem,” there was also time for a few tracks off the soon to be released album, Opus Mar. A stomping rendition of recently released “Move Mountains” – co-written by Benji Webbe from Skindred – topped off the perfect set.

Last and certainly not least the mighty Devilskin took to the stage. This was another first for me and I was excited to see the New Zealand-based rockers. They did not disappoint! Opening with “Elvis Presley Circle Pit,” it’s clear that Devilskin could be playing to a much larger audience. They are tight musically, classy in the delivery and with songs like “Start A Revolution” and “In Black,” it was a true pleasure for the eardrums. Vocalist Jennie Skulander has an amazing voice. There is no other way to put it. Her vocal range and power is there for all to see and the ability to consistently hit the notes in incredible. Devilskin close the evening with “Limbs” and “Little Pills,” and leave Manchester with a real feeling of ecstasy. This is a lineup and tour not to be missed.