The Plot In You - Academy 2 Manchester
Usually Monday is the worst day of the week but if you ask anyone in the long winding queue outside of Academy 2 in Manchester, this week, Monday is the best day. Tonight, American band, The Plot In You play a sold out show at the venue, but it’s clear from those queueing up that The Plot In You are not the only reason to be excited for the show. Tonight’s support comes from British metal band Acres and American Metal Core band Invent Animate.
First on tonight is Acres. The four-piece from Portsmouth have been growing increasingly more popular since the release of 2019 album ‘Lonely World’ and currently there are no signs of them slowing. The band take to the stage to much applause, wasting no time in bringing a new energy into the room. It’s a strong set of post hardcore songs which are at times melodic, and at others filled with rage. In a genre which seems almost overflowing with bands, it’s sometimes hard to stand out but Acres' emotionally charged songs leave a lasting impression on the crowd.
Next up, are the highly anticipated Invent Animate. Still riding high off the recently released album ‘Heavener Definitive’, it’s a good chance to captivate a new audience with their unique take on the metalcore genre. Out of the darkness the band emerge all dressed in white and under atmospheric lighting they begin their set. Opening with ‘Sleepless Deathbed’, the band deliver a truly mesmerising set.
The songs are all played with tight precision but what’s most interesting is it’s not all crushing riffs and thunderous drums. Layered into the music is a series of technical guitar riffs which bring the music to new heights, topped off by lead vocalist Markus Vic’s insane vocal range which goes from brutal screams to crisp cleans which could give even some of the most talented pop singers a run for their money. It’s easy to see why there’s so much talk about the band and only a matter of time before they break through to a new level of fame.
It's been quite sometime since The Plot In You last played in Manchester. "Last time we were here we played like 4 songs and everyone hated us" jokes vocalist Landon Tewers to the crowd. That is clearly no longer the case as the room is filled to the brim with excited fans ready to see the band after so long. In the time since they last played Manchester, they’ve released plenty of new music including 2 of 3 recently released EP’s, Vol. 1, Vol. 2 and the anticipated Vol. 3, featuring some of their best material to date. For many this will also be their first time seeing the band live.
As the stage fills with a red glow, Landon Tewers takes to the stage. A raw bellowing scream followed by the burst of a confetti canon, the set begins. Kicking things off with ‘Don’t Look Away’, the band quickly whip the room up into a frenzy of moshing. Following this up with ‘Divide’ keeps the start of the set strong, showing the capabilities of their heavier music. Things then slow down a little, but not much as the band show their softer sider with ‘All That I Can Give’; a song which could very easily fit in on Bad Omens' ‘Concrete Jungle’ album, a credit to the strengths in The Plot in You’s songwriting.
As sets go, this one is a particularly strong set, not leaving any stones unturned as it covers a large collection of the bands biggest songs whilst also giving new songs the chance to shine through. Songs like ‘Forgotten’ and ‘Crows’ are played with intensity and rage whilst songs like ‘Closure’, ‘THE ONE YOU LOVED’ and ‘Been Here Before’ drip with emotion. Ending the set with the huge ‘DISPOSABLE FIX’ and ‘FEEL NOTHING’ only leaves the crowd wanting more. Tonight's performance has shown the diversity in the band's music and also how well they can bring their sound to the stage. Landon’s vocals also deserve some attention of their own, being able to switch between raw, emotionally charged screams and soft clean vocals seems to come with complete ease.
The Plot In You are by no means a new band, their first album was released back in 2010 and over the years their sound has evolved, most notably with 2018’s huge ‘DISPOSE’. Tonight's performance proves that the only way is up for the band and with more new music on the way, it is a truly exciting time to be a fan.
