Live Review: Sports Team, Academy, Manchester 14/10/2022
It has been a long time coming, but Cambridge’s indie wonders SPORTS TEAM have made their way back to the cold calm north for a stellar return to Manchester’s own Academy.
Following from their recent release of their sophomore record GULP!, the southern six-piece are embarking on a tour to end all tours; but no show has been anticipated more highly than the north-western one night residency thanks to their own dedication to the city.
Bringing the new tracks to their passionate crowd for one of the first time, including recent hits such as ‘R Entertainment’ and ‘The Drop’, the band have shown nothing but mad energy and madder audience participation. Sports Team have made a name for themselves within live music for the happenings of their crowds: the screaming fans reciting every lyric; the dancing and bouncing to the beats; and of course, the mindless moshing. Some unaware of the genre might wonder how one can mosh to indie music. The answer to this query is simply, perfectly, go and see it firsthand via Sports Team.
Manchester is a very important city to the group; having made an appearance at nearby bar and venue Big Hands only weeks before to meet fans and sell their efforts. They wanted to give something back; something wacky, something unique, and something that will still make sense within the world the band live in. This was a cover of the Bangles’ world famous ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’ - an event in which that feels like this ambivalent combination of watching a drunk friend taking the mic at a karaoke bar, and watching an up and coming act putting their hearts and souls into making a full effort of an acceptable version. To be able to have fully appreciated fun with a classic - one that will bond all in attendance, no matter their tastes or ages or background in any arts - to that large of a scale is a valid sign of the direction Sports Team are heading towards.
Finishing their main set with fan-favourite anthem ‘M5’, an ode to those summer drives along the motorway, and leading into what is arguably their biggest hit ‘Here’s The Thing’, it works as an homage to the work that got them to where they are. Stood atop that stage - or swaggering in the case of frontman Alex Rice - and selling out venues in Manchester and beyond. In fact, Rice’s unique energy radiated brighter than a firework during ‘Kutcher’, a track that seemingly brings the most out of the vocalist at every live performance. Paying tribute to the Hollywood actor with the same surname, it brings Rice to physically let out his spontaneous bursts of excitement with rhythmic moving and not-so-sophisticated shimmying. A fascinating sight to behold if one has not before, as this is what is expected of a frontman.
Frontmen are front and center for a reason, and Alex Rice gave his reason in a 70-minute span.
Ending on regular outro ‘Stanton’, everyone is ready to say goodbye and not ready at the same time. The night is coming to a close so naturally, so theatrically in its own manner, and the crowd are ready to go again; whenever ‘again’ turns out to be.
Within 12 months, Sports Team have transitioned from rising stars to shining bright in the sky night after night. With the success of two albums, a handful of EPs and even more in the works, who knows that’s next for this delightfully drunk collective. Maybe another album in the charts; or maybe just another pint at the pub. Either way, it’ll be worth the wait.
Words by Jo Cosgrove
