LIVE FROM THE PIT: Noahfinnce, Senses and Chloe Star

THE OFFSPRING once wrote a song about the kids not being alright. So did FALL OUT BOY. MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE said in their song about Teenagers that “You’re never gonna fit in much, Kid”. At the NOAHFINNCE halloween show, the kids know all of these lyrics word for word, as they’re waiting in their Black Parade-esque Halloween costumes for their worthy halloween headliner to close the final night of his UK tour. Seemingly, for the next generation, even though many weren’t even born when these songs came out, the sentiment is still just as relevant: young people still confide in emo music. 

We’re now in an alternate reality where MCR came back, Dan and Phil came out and Pete Wentz came around to using black hair dye again for Aces, but now we clearly know its a wig. It feels full circle for Noah, who started out with bedroom ukulele covers, and has now toured with ENTER SHIKARI. Earlier this summer, he was on the lineup with TWENTY ONE PILOTS at their All Points East festival lineup. In Manchester, Noah closes out the Growing Up On The Internet era in style, with new record Wonky announced for February. He makes the impossible probable, and gives his audience that all important space to be themselves, joined by SENSES and CHLOE STAR.

“We’re rats!” CHLOE STAR announces proudly. Even for this halloween show, the snap back stays on, as she commands the stage with her signature brand of femme-flavoured pop-punk. She’s got the entire band on board, even if one of them has scrawled “FUCK YOU” on their back in permanent marker. Still, she fits right in with the NOAHFINNCE crowds, throwing everything into a half hour set of bouncy, catchy chorusses. As their first tour in the UK for this LA-based vocalist, they shine with charisma, donning a guitar and a retro telephone to get the most musicality out of their set. One to watch for sure. 

Also based in LA, SENSES continue this wild child energy. Self-described as “emo-friendly and punk-curious” the band make it easy to get acquainted from across the pond. Vocalist Madison Taylor can really blow your socks off, in her Lzzy Hale meets Blink 182 crossover of poppy uplifting tracks. Elsewhere, there is some fantastic guitarwork and a cool mix of catchy songs that really shine on the stage. More time is needed in the UK to make them a staple, it’s easy to liken them to AS DECEMBER FALLS, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS and HONEY REVENGE. It would be nice to see them on a RADAR lineup, or a 2000Trees homecoming show. 

“I’ve come dressed as NOAHFINNCE, if JK Rowling had got to him.” Noah begins with a knowing smile. In spite of trying to find a matching Spiderman costume for Halloween, he has opted to sacrifice one of his shirts to the queer cause, painting it with fake blood and severing it in several places. It’s an easy win for this crowd, he looks like he’s been through it. He really has, especially with the Harry Potter author's trans-exclusionary views and her financial support for gender-critical group For Women Scotland. Whilst it may not look like much, their campaigning for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of a ‘woman’ has seeped into a hefty chunk of corporate policy across the country, and fueled further debates surrounding gender-affirming care. 

It’s one thing to write a catchy riff, another to perform it to an entire crowd, a lot of them who are looking for answers in a world where they have little say in their existence as people. NOAHFINNCE tonight - and every other night - is a transphobe's worst nightmare. And doesn’t he know it, dedicating Scumbag to them on the celebratory final show of his UK tour. 

The stage is set dreamily with cardboard cut outs of TVs, glowing with UV paint in the way Jane Schoenbrunn would be proud of. Bassist and drummer also come in costume, as Wes Borland and Darth Maul respectively, but by the first three songs their facepaint had been wiped cleanly off of their face due to the sheer energy on stage. 

It feels wonderfully personal at the show, which is bolstered by the adoring heckling from Noah’s audience in between songs. The show resembles something of a school disco, that opportune moment in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging when THE STIFF DYLANS take to the stage. In some ways the sound even fits the upbeat tizzy of the iconic Ultraviolet. It’s the perfect opportunity to be themselves, and even the parents have an opportunity to boogie. 

As a fantastic maestro of madness, Noah absolutely sparkles fronting this tour, one that due to various setbacks and shortfalls, has taken him two years to fully come back in this capacity. With it, a really honest moment of acceptance of his autism diagnosis as he gets through Pet With The Tism. His newer work, of the new record Wonky, is considerably darker in tone, as he comes to terms with the concerning state of the world, Too Sensitive oozes with confidence, Mr Overwhelm gleams with this untouchable aura, despite the song’s design being so vulnerable. 

It feels bittersweet, as one tour comes to a close in the UK, Noah comes to terms with the uncertainty of touring Trump's America as a trans person. Still, there’s a lot of good that has been done on this tour. There’s a lot more work to do, even if the world feels a little Wonky. 

Words: Amber Brooks

Photos: Anna Goley