Dry Cleaning are a hot band, of that there is no doubt. The London band recently released their second album in 'Stumpwork' and it more than delivered. So to see them live for the first time Wednesday night at the Manning Bar was a special treat indeed. This band are special and quite unique I believe. They played everything I hoped to hear, stretching back to the first song I ever heard by them in the magnetic 'Viking Hair'. They then ripped through songs from their two albums. So many highlights but there were obvious standouts like 'Scratchcard Lanyard', 'Don't Press Me', 'Strong Feelings' and 'Unsmart Lady'. As said this band are unique. They draw on bands from the 80s and 90s with their strong and urgent guitar lines, but it is the presence of singer Florence Shaw that makes them different. Her deadpan delivery is almost spoken word. She doesn't play an instrument and stands quite still. But it is impossible to take your eyes off of her. The band ably support her and it was clear live how clean their guitars sound. Bass was thumping and prominent and lead guitar gave us great guitar line after guitar line. A great young band truly delivered last night. 

Set List
Kwenchy Kups
Gary Ashby
Scratchcard Lanyard
Viking Hair
Her Hippo
Hot Penny Day
Leafy
Stumpwork
No Decent Shoes For Rain
Don't Press Me
Conservative Hell
Driver's Story
Strong Feelings
Unsmart Lady
Magic of Meghan

Tony Speaks!
Anna Calls From the Arctic