OFF The Record Conference was a gathering of  music industry professionals to inspire and offer advice as to how to progress in the industry.

After 6pm, upcoming bands and artists showcased their talent at venues all over the Northern Quarter, in order for the festival to stick to its promise, to help attendees discover their new favourite band.

Quays’ top pick was surf-psych band The Orielles and our social media editor Natalie Rees went to see them in action.

Flying Vinyl favourites The Orielles took the stage at the intimate Night and Day Cafe, inducing the venue into a state of summertime charm with lead singer Esme’s vocals  transporting the room back to a sound descending from the 60s.

https://soundcloud.com/theorielles/space-doubt

A young band comparable to the likes of Swim Deep, with whom they share a label, followed up their opener with ‘Space Doubt‘, a delightfully surf-pop track, welcoming with a soft guitar solo before descending into toe -tapping riffs, the band are just warming up.

“Move forward, it’s Friday and we’re having a party!” Guitarist Henry’s head banging and carefree dancing was enviable but even more impressive was his guitar playing, arguably an ability much maturer than his years.

Cheers from the audience continued to double in volume after each track, before drummer Sid attacked the skins for a heavier beat into ‘Jobin‘ as Esme’s feminine tone carried us on a wave, more suited to a 60s America than a rainy November night in Manchester.

Henry took the lead for the next record, pulling the audience closer with a vicious solo before an expectedly infectious chorus as the band sank back into melody.

Just Like Glue‘ came next, perhaps an ode to the sound of Blondie.

The trio, who were handpicked for the festival’s line up by Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing’s Shell Zenner,  closed their set with ‘Sugar Tastes Like Salt‘ in suitably upbeat fashion.

The introduction starts off unassuming before sporadic changes of pace elevate the performance to another level.

The Orielles are a band deserving of grandeur, and with such a dizzying live presence they’ll certainly keep climbing.

The Orielles play Gullivers on Sunday before the Fallow Cafe on November 25-26.

By Natalie Rees
@quaysnat

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