Stockport was invaded by dirty, sweaty and greasy post punk fans, colluding under the stained glass of St Mary’s Parish Church.
It’s the last place you expect to be on a cold Friday night in November, three beers deep, shivering under a fleece of worn-in corduroy or leather, queuing up under the imposing arches of a 12th Century Church. Generations of Catholic guilt reign down upon me, stumping out a cigarette under stained glass, before shuffling inside to make the righteous pilgrimage to the heavenly cheap bar, £4 for a redstripe, what a steal.
An unlikely trio led by an array of instruments that could potentially have sounded like a primary school music class, instead creates a completely masterful performance
Ruby Weatherill on Xiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu, the experimental rock trio from San Jose are seemingly forgotten as you arrive at the venue, where people are stopping in their tracks to pose under the stone arches. I count the amount of point and shoot cameras peeking out of the pockets of gig goers, even with Stockport’s recent baptism as the capital of culture for the northwest, never has there been a more ‘hipster’ gathering in this market square.
It is to be sure that the publicans at the Cocked Hat across the road had a few choice words about the unlikely crowds gathered around the makeshift smoking area in the church grounds. Dr Martens stomp through the stone floors towards the stage. Fifteen minutes before the support act comes on, the crowd huddles together, acutely aware of the cold creeping in through the place of worship. Never have I ever been so freezing through a gig, yet it does not detract from the quality of the evening.
Drum Wife took to the stage at eight o’clock, although for the sake of vision they may as well have stood in the crowd. Kneeling on the stage and shielded by those lucky enough to get front row positions, the Leeds based duo captivated the crowd with their electronic amalgamations.
Yes, it would have been brilliant to be able to see the performance especially as they appeared to be master performers, yet still they held the appeal of nearly the whole crowd from start to finish. An Aphex Twin-esque sound meets classic rock lyrics meets the vocals of a video game sprite, I have never seen anything quite like it.
Some crowd engagement would have been nice, but the act was the perfect warm-up for Xiu Xiu’s life-changing performance. Yes, I really do mean life-changing. If you haven’t heard of Xiu Xiu before and solely read on to hear about Stockport’s church being ransacked by sweaty, dirty punk fans, I implore you to click away from this story (once you have finished reading) and listen to them via your relevant streaming service!
Phones and cameras were darting back and forth, attempting to capture every moment of the incredibly detailed and busy performance. From Jamie’s gymnastics breaks to Angela’s moving spoken word delivery and not forgetting the captivating drums from David Kendrick. The band have had a recent pivot in their personal sound whilst still keeping their roots in experimental, noise rock.
An unlikely trio led by an array of instruments that could potentially have sounded like a primary school music class, instead creates a completely masterful performance. Again, there was a real lack of engagement with the crowd; it seemed the only time we were spoken to was to be told “we’ve never been here before”, what a surprise the San Jose trio have never graced soggy Stockport with their presence.
In fact, until this week I had only been to Stockport once before, yet the band was met with adoring fans. The Parish Church was the only venue Xiu Xiu have played in the North of England on this tour and the sold out church certainly greeted them well. There was not a moment through the show that everyone stood still, even some of the most unusual and off putting moments.
The sheer range that Xiu Xiu displays is immense, from their opening atmospheric tracks that blend away from Drum Wife’s electronic performance to Sad Pony Guerilla Girl, their most popular track. As the recognisable guitar introduces Sad Pony Guerilla Girl, it rings out through the crowd and up into the church rafters, and the crowd stands to attention.
The performance clings to the studio track while also creating a more elevated chorus in a quasi religious experience (fitting for the venue).
Their performance ends minutes before curfew, the crowd erupts into shouts of “one more song”, I turn around and make my way through the crowd vastly aware that I will miss my train if I stay for the encore. Jamie returns to stage and performs Fabulous Muscles as i flee the church like a jilted bride.
I make my way back to Salford in a stunned silence. I’ve never left a gig more moved than that moment. Xiu Xiu perform like no other band, being surrounded by the scenery of a grade 1 listed church just hit it out of the park.
Stockport Parish Church holds regular live music events in the heart of Stockport, surrounded by local pubs, bars and b&bs to check out. Make sure you get out of the city for your next live music fix. If the last gig you went to in a church was your regular sunday service or your year 6 easter performance, you are missing out!
Xiu Xiu have graced the North West with their music now twice in the last year, and as it seems are desperately avoiding Manchester. They last played at the brilliant White Hotel in Salford in 2023, and while that may be closer to home for me, I thank god I had the chance to see Xiu Xiu as the sold out Stockport’s Parish Church, in the harsh November cold.
