It Boys! // Live Review, Manchester Academy 3

We have been hotly anticipating It Boys! debut UK tour for a while now.  The first two singles really got us interested and after getting our hands on the album before its release [read our review HERE] we couldn’t wait to see the live show. The boys are over supporting Forever The Sickest Kids, so Est.1987 headed down to Manchester Academy 3 to check them out.

It Boys! on stage in Manchester

The line of excited fans circling the Academy is enough to predict that tonight is going to be riotous. The sun sweltering outside makes the venue unbearably hot, however no-one seems to let the heat get in the way as the crowds congregate in front of the stage ready for the show to begin. Often support bands fail to muster up the same enthusiasm and energy from the crowd who are there to see the main band. However, It Boys! effortlessly manage to stir the crowd into a frenzy and even those who entered thinking “It Boys! who?” were soon pulled in and singing along to the band’s infectious choruses from songs such as “Guys Don’t Like Me”.

Lead singer Matt Cut & bassist Tommy Coops

There has been a buzz around It Boys! since they landed in the UK and the Hollywood quintet have been popping up on radio stations and press up and down the country. Pop at its best with threads of guitar punk rhythms, It Boys!’ deliver on every count this evening in Manchester. They are tight, confident and bound around the stage with endless energy; you wouldn’t know that it was their first time playing to a UK crowd. Lead singer, Matt Cut, is charismatic and leads the band through hits taken from their debut album, the aptly named “Introduction”.  Up beat club anthems such as the new single “Burning Up” are placed in the set alongside slower album tracks such as “Rooftops”. The band smoothly changes the dynamic and show their range of song writing credentials; drummer, Duck Leary, showing his impressive vocal talents on “Rooftops”. “Spring Break Up” is powerful and anthemic, its electronic “Breathe Carolina”-esque beats soar through The Academy; whilst “Crazy” uses the electronic rhythms to produce a track that is gritty, yet retains the melodic nature that makes the It Boys! sound so contagious. With the sun blazing down the entire day, the It Boys!’ vibrant summer anthems and captivating melodies were the perfect climax to a perfect day.

It Boys!' guitarist Jeff Oster

The set is over before anyone wants it to be and with UK tours in the pipeline for later on this year it is obvious to see that It Boys! have gained a lot of fans this evening. With their fresh pop-punk sounds blended with electronic based beats, catchy guitar riffs and undeniably good looks with (great hair to boot!); we’re sold! And we’re betting you will be too!

Keep locked to Est.1987 as we have an interview with It Boys! very soon…

“Introduction” the album is out 4^th June and the single “Burning Up” feat. Jeffree Star and Lace Schwimmer is released 28^th May.

And, if you’re heading to Slam Dunk Festival this weekend, be sure to check out It Boys! as they play the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage 5-5.30pm on both days

http://www.itboysmusic.com/ 
http://www.facebook.com/itboysmusic