Live Review: ZAND - New Century, Manchester 21/10/2023
After a successful debut headline tour in the United States, rock’s freakiest fighter ZAND has returned to their native British land to embark on a brand new adventure on the road. Promoting their latest release SEWERSTAR, the Lancashire punk kicks off this new string of shows in Manchester’s hidden charm Aatma and they didn’t come alone.
Warming up the crowd is the up and coming duo ALT BLK ERA. Formed by sisters Nyrobi and Chaya, this is a fresh new team-up in the alternative scene and they’re ready to take over. Making their Manchester debut this night, they didn’t let the nerves shake them down as they jumped headfirst into the set.
Bringing their brand new EP Freak Show to life, they both gave big bold and brave energy as they were definitely a duo to let their freak flag fly. Telling brief stories of being outcasted growing up due to their alternative leanings, and facing challenges that built their confidence to the level it is today, their music was the perfect corroboration. Getting the crowd jumping and cheering, as well as getting a successful call-and-response out of the line “I’m normally like this” during the performance of the track of the same name, they have taken their role as the support act and ran with it in the most fun and dirtiest way possible. Taking influences from electronic, rap, nu-metal and trap music, they have brought a fusion to the masses that will echo through the 2020s. This is only the beginning, but if this 30-minute performance is anything to judge them by, ALT BLK ERA are going to become the next best thing in the punk scene. This will be an era to remember.
With the crowd ready and eager, it’s time for the sewer-star of the stage to take over. In their now trademark green hair and near-nothing fashion, it’s time for ZAND to show the world that being squeaky-clean and bubblegum sweet is out of the door and being a complete and total freak is seeping in through the window.
With such a relaxed attitude and a naturally charismatic character, ZAND found themselves interacting with the crowd before them more like a friend in a group. With the usual impersonal touch of live music, especially for bigger acts in higher-capacity venues, it’s a breath of fresh air to hear an act joking about sweating in the most revealing outfit they could wear mid-show.
ZAND has become a leader for the new misfit youth, and their anthem dedicated to their fellow non-binary humans in the world is the proof. The reception to this anthem, titled ‘Freak’ feels greatly fitting for a Manchester crowd. Manchester, a city with a great population of LGBTQ individuals - LGBTQ youth in particular - has adopted this attitude and been using it for years and decades at this point and ZAND is just one new addition to this energy radiating from the area.
As well as tracks from their latest record, they were giving a good amount of airtime to their 2020 EP Ugly Pop; understandably the record that brought them to the attention of all the new alt fans around the UK and beyond. Outside of this older material however, the fans were still going crazy for the newer tracks: particular tracks such as ‘Religion’ and ‘I Spit On Your Grave’, with the latter being dedicated to what they wish to do to the abusers and rapists in the world. This was a shared sentiment which was possibly the best set-up for such a song, and ZAND knowing this means they definitely know their audience and who they attract.
An example of the pure chaos harnessed within ZAND’s fanbase can be proven through their way of peer-pressuring in a way for ZAND to continue the set with one more song after they declared the show over. After a very vocal vote from the audience, the true concluding number is the more emotionally charged ‘Battery Acid’. A softer track about experiencing discomfort and repulsion within an unhealthy romantic relationship, this was a sweeter and more humane way to bring the night to an end. With how wicked and wild they can be, ZAND still has feelings they felt and emotions they wish to express for the sake of their own mental well-being. This is something that will bond a singer with their fans more than any electronic punk song about sex, drugs or money - even if ZAND does that well also.
Making their farewell before leaving the stage, the air was electric and exciting and there was no winding down. There was no slowing to a halt. The end came but it did not feel like the end, but only the start. This is only the first chapter of ZAND’s story; there’s still a novel’s worth of a career to come and they’ve chosen the right time to tell their tale.
Until next time for ZAND and their green-tinted brand of alternative rock, Manchester will be waiting.
Words by Jo Cosgrove
Photography by k4tiephotogr4phy
