The Manumission end game

Band photo special - the Automatic, the View, Klaxons, Futureheads, New Pony Club, Underground Heroes and the soon to be huge Mika.

Blurring the boundary between fantasy and reality is the Manumission mode of operation, but it backfired spectacularly last Friday at Bar M when a staged fight got out of hand and a brawl erupted, spilling out into the street. Oh dear, Manumission hits the front pages again.

But the publicity didn't stop a decent crowd turning out last night for to enjoy another night of communal new band appreciation. The unknown, unsigned and Underground Heroes were first up, followed by the View from Scotland who got to number 15 in the UK single charts with 'Wasted Little Djs', and the Welsh Automatic, who've been gigging solidly and cracked the top five a couple of months back.

We're relieved to report that apart from a bit of beer throwing there were no violent incidents, tho Alex Pennie from the headlining Automatic thrashed his keyboard pitilessly.

Pennie (left) and Frost @ Bar M - September 4, 2006

His stage-stealing performance was the night's highlight, others included the rollicking cover of 'Gold Digger' by hip hop messiah Kanye West featuring a flute and three 'Mish bitches.

the Automatic @ Bar M - September 4, 2006

Pennie & Gabby @ Bar M - September 4, 2006

Ibiza Rocks @ Bar M - September 4, 2006

Goldierocks @ Bar M - September 4, 2006

Their final track was the paranoid smash 'Monster'. You know, the one with the dumb chorus that goes "What's that coming over the hill - is it a monster? Is it a monster?' which went down particularly well with the mixture of holidaymakers and workers let in to bulk up the crowd a bit.

Peter Reilly & Kyle Falconer (right) from the View @ Bar M - September 4, 2006

Earlier the shaggy and innocuous-looking lead singer of the View, Kyle Falconer (above right), startled all unfamiliar with his knock-you-down howl that rivals Zep legend Robert Plant's for sheer power.

Our congrats to the member of the unsigned Underground Heroes who just passed his GCSEs.

Underground Heroes @ Bar M - September 4, 2006

Three weeks ago Futureheads did a Doherty and cancelled their scheduled appearance but made up for it with a driving display on August 23.

Barry Hyde from the Futureheads @ Bar M - August 23, 2006

Futureheads @ Bar M - August 23, 2006

Support band New Young Pony Club have several hummable tunes, a hot chick on keyboards, a mouthy one on lead vocals, and a rhythmic one on drums, who along with the two less photogenic dudes on bass and guitar kept the audience diverted with their early set.

Lou from New Young Pony Club @ Bar M - August 23, 2006

Sarah from New Young Pony Club @ Bar M - August 23, 2006

Tahita from New Young Pony Club @ Bar M - August 23, 2006

Bar M also hosted comedy rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain last Wednesday (August 30).

Click here for a photo report in the Spotlight forums.

Later that night they did a reconnaissance mission to Privilege for the banging Meganite, presumably to prepare for their Friday appearance at the club night Manumission.

The success of Bar M's wonderful outdoor stage has slightly overshadowed the Box concept but they've been some notable successes. The Klaxons wasn't one of them - the audience consisted of the Spotlight reviewer, Peaches Geldof, Colin Peters, Skin and about 30 others who'd accidentally stumbled in on the under-publicised gig.

Klaxons @ Manumission - August 11, 2006

That didn't slow down the beach wear-clad lads however as they ripped thru an original set consisting of rave tunes served indie-style.

However the most amazingly staggering thing witnessed in the Music Box this year was the allegedly second ever gig from the fame-bound Mika.

Mika @ Manumission - August 25, 2006

Manumission - August 25, 2006

Manumission - August 25, 2006

Uncle Buck @ Manumission - August 25, 2006

The scepticism is justified based on the mesmeric stage presence of the born-to-lead singer which brought to mind the glory of the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, Elton John, and Supertramp in their prime.

At the conclusion of his heavenly set consternation was widespread. A woman came up to the Spotlight Mobile Research Unit in a panic.

"Who is this guy?" she panted. "Where can I buy his record?"

It's not even like you feel you need to talk about him, he's clearly going global. He doesn't need your help, the world already loves him it just doesn't know yet.