Once you’ve discovered ESG, they’ll stay in your ears for years. Their sound is minimal, DIY and yet imbued with groove, melody, anger and joy. Quite simply, they’re the real deal. Lead by various combinations of Scroggins’ sisters and formed in the south Bronx of NYC in the early 1980s, ESG have influenced everyone from Nine Inch Nails to LCD Soundsystem. Their back catalogue is available thanks to compilations like Dance to the Beat of ESG and re-issues like Come Away with ESG, and includes dance-punk anthems such as Dance, Erase You and Moody. On this date – supposedly their last ever Manchester appearance, although they have a habit of announcing ‘last ever’ shows – the band are supported by Manchester’s Hac DJ, Mr Dave Haslam. The pairing is pertinent for once; Factory Records were the first to release ESG in the UK, and they were the first band to play the Hacienda.
Sun 19 Jan, FAC251, 118 Princess Street, M1 7EN. Tel: 0161 272 7251, 7.30pm, £19, www.seetickets.com
http://youtu.be/Kj99ji3TGCo
- Words:
- Ruth Allan
- Published on:
- Tue 14 Jan 2014
