Having been actively releasing new music and touring relentlessly for the last decade now, it’s crazy to think that Manchester-based indie outfit King No-One have never actually released a full-length album. Now with the band briefly emerging from a studio lockdown for this run of shows and talk of new material on the horizon, we had to go along to their gig at Rescue Rooms to see how the new songs were coming along…
It's a stacked line-up for this Saturday night show, but a dramatic end to the Six Nations rugby means we sadly get there too late for the opening set from Notts Ska outfit, The Chase. However, we do manage to catch the full set from Munich-based indie band KYTES, which is nothing short of sensational. Taking to the stage in matching pink and white outfits, they open on a mesmerising and ravey synth-pop instrumental, before jumping into the brilliant Runaway.
Their sound is utterly infectious, drawing comparisons to the likes of Foals, Friendly Fires and The Wombats, with a bit of Daft Punk thrown in too for good measure. It’s the perfect music for a Saturday night and at one point the lead singer even jumps into the crowd with his acoustic guitar for a little “campfire session” version of I Got Something. By the time they wrap things up with a euphoric finale, I have the biggest smile on my face and feel like I’ve already got my money’s worth. With the band due back in Notts this October for a show at The Chapel, I’ll definitely be looking to catch them again when they return.
After a quick changeover, it’s then time for tonight’s headliners. Although Rescue Rooms is noticeably quieter than usual, the crowd that have turned up are clearly devoted fans, singing along to every word of opening combo Some Kind of Romance and I Feel Strange. “Nottingham you’re the best, thanks for coming to see us again” says a gracious Zach Lout, who is donning a stylish red suit for the evening. However, as he picks up and spins the microphone stand during Roll The Dice, it’s clear there are a few technical issues being ironed out in real time during the first few tracks. With headsets not receiving, mic stands falling and wireless mics also not working, King No-One manage to battle through the opening hitches to eventually hit their stride.
“GO ON ROB YOU SEXY BASTARD!” yells a fan down the front during a brief break in the set, clearly taken with bassist Rob Gration who laughs off the extra attention. Then after blasting through popular cuts from their Dead Hotel and OOMM EPs, the band decide its time to test out some new material on the engaged audience. “We’ve been busy working on the biggest moment of our entire career and we’d like to play you a couple of those songs if that’s alright with you Nottingham” politely asks frontman Zach Lout, to which the audience responds with resounding whoops and cheers. The song is the soon-to-be-released Scumbag, an angsty political track which gets a warm response from the onlooking crowd.
New song previewed, its then into the big hitters with Alcatraz encouraging a huge singalong, with Zach Lout balancing on the front barrier before returning to the stage and impressively twirling his mic stand once again. “We love playing Nottingham, you’re always the best” he says, which us locals already knew of course. The band then all gather at the front of the stage, sitting themselves down on the edge for an acoustic version of Two Islands, before another big singalong to Say Nothing.
“Ok we've had our signal, let's have a f**king party” says a hurried Zach Lout, clearly being warned the 10pm curfew is fast approaching. “I want to see a mosh pit and I’ll be ranking you against Newcastle” he says challenging the crowd to top the night before, with carnage then subsequently ensuing for Not Willing To Sacrifice and Neighbours. There’s still time for one more new song runout though, with the quite poetic and anthemic Manchester Rain sounding like a monster hit in the making. “This is our last song and it might be our last song for a while” says Zach, reminding the crowd that he and the band still need to finish off their next project. “You make us feel magic, the fact you turn up for us every time means the world. We make music to f**k the status quo of the music industry, but know that we also make it for you. This one’s for you and it’s a banger!” It’s a heartfelt introduction for final number Antichrist, which causes the crowd to mosh around and sing their hearts out one last time.
There’s few bands that embody the DIY-spirit quite like King No-One. Their songs and the community they’ve built off the back of them have all been achieved through the musical underground, courtesy of their own hard work, sacrifice and a lot of determination. And while King No-One may be going away for a little while again now to finish their next EP or possibly even their debut album, I have a feeling that when they return - they’ll be better than ever.
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