Manchester-based indie-rock quartet Corella take to the stage at Rescue Rooms for a sold-out set. With tracks that feel larger-than-life, and even somewhat cinematic, it’s no wonder that these guys have been making waves amongst the indie soundscape. With a debut album on the way, as well as all the talent and ambition required for a meteoric rise, Corella find themselves upon the threshold of something momentous…
By the time Chilli Jesson appeared for his support set, the venue was already heaving. It’s rare to find space to breathe in Rescue Rooms at the best of times, but free-range movement is out of the question at a sold-out event - a testament to Corella’s increasingly loyal fanbase. Chilli Jesson was nothing short of a surprise - it’s hard to know what to expect from an artist who sells his own hot sauce.
With his grungy, rock-fuelled tracks, and an onstage energy which is tough to forget, Jesson pushes boundaries with his self-proclaimed “born-again” pop sound. He faced technical challenges which would make even the most seasoned performers crumble, but all seems fair in rock’n’roll for calm and composed Jesson. The former Parma Violets frontman did not pull any punches with knock-out hits such as Carolina Reaper and St. Vitamin and flew way too close to the sun with his latest release Icarus. Whether it be his long-time experience as a performer, or merely encoded in his DNA, Jesson knows exactly how to command a stage with his infectious, yet somewhat unhinged, demeanour.
Corella’s long-awaited set started with their recent release Don’t Stop Me. It’s certainly a bold choice to kick things off with such a new track, but fans didn’t seem to mind, swiftly giving over to the cascading melody; the backdrop to the band’s trademark wistful lyricism. The band wasted no time before transitioning into something more recognisable in the form of 2020 single Puppets, followed by Caught Up. The crowd was injected with a much-needed dose of energy, due in large part to Jack Taylor’s exhilarating opening guitar melody, paired with the buttery warmth of Ben Henderson’s bassline. As the tracks reach their chorus, the fans echo Joel Smith’s gravelly vocals with vigour.
These Mancunian lads have already received a great deal of critical success, but it seems they’re just getting started on their upward trajectory. Frontman Smith proudly confirms the news of their upcoming debut album, a revelation which leads to a performance of unreleased track Let Me Go. This song differs slightly from Corella’s existing discography, as they begin to really lean into the nostalgic quality of their sound. Through the creation of their first full-length project, the band seem to have fine-tuned their identity. They later go on to play Lady Messiah, which the crowd echoes in perfect unison, despite this being their very first listen.
Tracks such as Monday, Bloom, and Come Around share a set of uplifting guitar instrumentals, with lyrics which embody how good it feels to simply exist. Meanwhile, their 2017 single Barcelona Girl transports the crowd to a sun-bleached soundscape, a welcome delusion for those who would face a dreary November evening upon leaving. The memory of Corella’s golden setlist was enough to keep me warm on my way home.
Corella performed at Rescue Rooms on 1 November 2023
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