As hilarious as it might be for others, I was quite embarrassed when I realised what I’d shouted when discussing the plan of action with friends on the day of NBHD 2024:
“I’m obsessed with FEET!”
Sat in Mr Su’s (Circle Square, Manchester) for midday dumplings after collecting our wristbands for the day, having provided an albeit lame set of questions for the band FEET (more on that later) to preview this year’s event – I had since fallen in love with the band and they were top of my priorities when deciding who to see. Neighbourhood Festival is always an exciting celebration of live music across the city’s diverse venues. This annual event typically showcases a mix of emerging talent and established acts. Through my preview and the official playlist it had been proven to be the case again. Also on my agenda were Dirty Blonde, Balancing Act and Stevie Bill.
But if you’ve ever been to any kind of festival like this, you’ll know that although you can make plans, it’s often difficult to keep them! And so it proved at NBHD 2024…
NXDIA
Kicking off at 12:30pm upstairs in Deaf Institute was Nxdia, with queues around the corner mostly for bags checks and we were in. She commanded the crowd and captivated her audience, most still bleary-eyed, on an October lunchtime. Some raw honesty about the lyrics for a song she debuted – with warnings for her Mum in the crowd.
Leaving the set from Nxdia we were greeted with Beattie playing downstairs, in an area now known as The Lodge and doing a fantastic cover of Radhiohead’s “Weird Fishes”. We stuck around because she was great, cool choice of song to cover and well executed. Nothing on Spotify just yet…
VILLANELLE
So from the top, let’s declare it – this is Liam Gallagher’s son Gene. But honestly, I walked into Gorilla and didn’t put 2 and 2 together and was immediately captured by his stage presence, the guitars and his voice – not unlike his Dad when you listen closely – and so credit where it is due.
It might be a cliché to see the child of a rock star follow in their parent’s footsteps but some are better at it than others. And these were really good. Gorilla is such a great venue for a band like Villanelle—it has that intimate yet high-energy atmosphere that suits their raw, live sound perfectly. The close-up vibe would have really let Gene and the rest of the band connect with the crowd.
One of the best parts of Neighbourhood Festival is the community feel. It’s more than just the music—it’s about being part of Manchester’s vibrant music scene. With so many venues and acts, there’s always something happening, and the festival’s laid-back, all-day vibe makes it feel like a true celebration of local talent, culture, and music.
THE GUESTLIST
The Guestlist were everything you can hope for at a festival like NBHD. Still wet behind the ears but already with a bucket full of songs, you could see they are a tight unit, local lads with an exciting future if they continue on the trajectory they are on. A highlight from their set was when lead singer _______ introduced the song _______ about Trafford. We have a lot of respect for recognising this was a story worth sharing and even mid-festival set to share that with a new audience – and the song is really good. Definitely ones to keep an eye on!
The Bread Shed is another fantastic venue for a festival like Neighbourhood! It’s one of those spots in Manchester with a real character—a mix of gritty and cozy that makes it ideal for live indie and alternative acts. It’s always fun to see up-and-coming bands give their all in such a raw, lively space
And then onto the main act of the day for us – FEET (THE BAND)!
FEET (THE BAND)
their infectious energy, catchy hooks, and quirky style, they’ve carved out a distinctive sound that’s both playful and edgy. Their music has a fun, almost DIY feel, but there’s a real sense of craft in their songwriting. What makes them particularly interesting is that their sound seems to evolve with every release, so you never know quite what to expect next from them. They’ve got a solid reputation for delivering high-energy performances, and their chemistry as a band really shines live.
FEET’s ability to switch between gritty, punchy verses and more subdued, atmospheric moments is one of the things that gives them that dynamic, post-punk feel. The more minimal sections in songs like “Petty Thieving” give it a real groove, and when it all comes together, it’s like the best of indie rock with just the right amount of attitude.
It really keeps the crowd engaged and gives the whole performance a dynamic flow. The fact that the lead singer even jumped into the crowd shows just how much they’re willing to interact with the audience and add that element of unpredictability, which is a huge part of what makes live shows so special.
After wrapping up their set, and our lineup for the festival, I grabbed some FEET merch and the promise of a follow-up interview – this time with better informed questions!