Much like their name, Peach Pit bury an emotional core beneath layers of syrupy sweetness. For nearly a decade, the gang have softened melancholy with a jangle of indie riffs, transforming the aches of growing pains into true anthems – and, tonight, the Manchester Academy is set to indulge in some cathartic, crooning bangers.
As the Canadian rascals make their entrance, they know how to break the ice; when you’re baring your soul onstage, it’s best to lighten the oncoming blow with a side of tongue-in-cheek goofiness. So they emerge like true rockstars, unleashing some heavy metal riffs a-la Black Sabbath, frontman Neil Smith headbanging in ultra cool sunglasses, fist raised in the air.
It’s the absolute opposite of what Peach Pit represent – sad boys stuck in a rut, trying to find meaning in frazzled hooks and surfy guitars. But the emotion quickly takes over, as Magpie rumbles to life, fans instantly howling and bouncing along. The following track Drop The Guillotine only heightens the joy in the room, the crowd parroting each word back like it’s gospel.
Amidst the introspection, that air of goofy comradery persists. Black Licorice sees the lads knocking out guitar riffs back to back, Smith throwing himself into each guitar solo like a ragdoll, arms flying as his mane of hair flings around wildly.
Of course, the Peach Pit boys aren’t always erratic throwing themselves around. Am I Your Girl? calms things down for a moment, allowing fans a moment to have a little cry if they please – before basking in the glory of moustachioed guitarist Chris Vanderkooy taking centre stage for a mighty, climactic solo.
The poignant introspection is also followed by a cheeky anecdote from Smith. “The most fucked up people I saw this week were three guys… They came and sat down next to us, and I could tell they were very hammered. And they explained to us that they were part of the ‘Secret Curry Club'”
What is that, exactly? “The club was apparently a combination of eating curry and doing coke in the bathroom,” Smith answers. “So… These tracks go out to the Secret Curry Club!”
Despite the silliness, Smith is feeling particularly reflective this evening. After all, it’s nearly ten years on from their formation. “Chris and I kept running into one another…. Especially in the place where you smoke weed at night time,” he notes.
“That same summer Chris was going to a music festival… I kept seeing him around and not speaking. It was a combination of playing hard to get and being shy. Until the last day, when I took mdma for the first time.”
As Smith explains, that night the pair would form the band. And Smith had already written a song for the project – the song that started it all, Peach Pit.
As Smith knocks out the acoustic number alone, the weight of the track weighs over the crowd. As it frets over the passing of time, the souring of memories like fruit gone bad, everyone harps along with intent. It’s a powerful moment – and one Smith seems particularly proud of, slyly smiling to himself throughout.
As the group close on Tommy’s Party, fans delight in one final hurrah of celebration. It’s been a few years since the Canadians graced English shores, and people are keen to make the boys feel the love. After an evening of intense emotion, it’s the perfect high to end on – and a reminder that Peach Pit know how to throw one hell of a party.
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