Arch Femmesis with Phia Sky & OORYA at Deaf Institute, Manchester

Gig Review and Photos by Jack Mason

Edited by Lia Qin

First of all, we want to start off this article with a short apology for not updating the blog as frequently as we used to. The past two months have been a little too hectic for all three of us (big travels and life changes etc etc). We are slowly recovering and will be back with more content very soon. Please stick with A Lucid Dream and reach out ANYTIME if you have good ideas or want to write for us :)

During the 2022 Favourite Gigs of the Year project, we received Jack's submission covering the electro-punk duo Arch Femmesis' first headline tour. It's exciting to see a vast variety of gigs people have attended and we would love to share some of them with you. There are a few gigs from 2022 that will be posted in the next few months. But for now, sit back and let Jack takes you to a fabulous night with overflowing electric queer joy at Manchester's Deaf Institute on October 20th, 2022.

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There are far too many incredible shows I've been to this year to narrow it down to a personal favourite.

Every gig- even the bad ones- I consider an 'experience.' Let's not forget, no more than a year or so ago, we started to lose the sensation of what it felt like - the exuberant moving around of people - whether loud or quiet - in an open space - small or large.

However, I want to talk to you about an event this year I really enjoyed, with a really friendly environment and ounces on ounces of queer energy.

Arch Femmesis' headline (with OORYA and Phia Sky supporting) at the Deaf Institute was nothing short of fabulous.

To begin with, the space in which it was set. It probably comes as no surprise but the Deaf Institute is one of my personal favourite venues in the city. It genuinely feels like you're having a jam sesh in someone's big house. And, of course, if you're in a house for a special occasion, you’ve gotta do some decorating. It just so happens ZERA TONIN is a great visual artist. Cutout flowers and a silvery foil curtain backdrop set the stage for the spectacle to come.

First up at the disco was Phia Sky- who appeared just herself and a synthesiser- and quite frankly, that’s all she needed. It kicked off right from the get-go- slamming glitchy beats, contrasted with wavy atmospherics like that of the underwater level in Super Mario 64.

Then, the emergence of OORYA, wearing horns and accompanied by two individuals- overseers, if you will. Choking yourself for a mere five minutes while performing your poetry is one hell of a feat- but that’s what happened. What followed was a loud, weird, kink-positive celebration- with stories of chips and eating too much sugar.

Rounding it all out, the headliners, Arch Femmesis. An electro-cyber-queer two piece of which I had already seen four times - one of which at my own event. A pair of humans I have endless quantities of love and appreciation for. Playing one of their biggest shows yet - did they deliver?

Well, if the lights go down and the silhouettes are striking, that's one hell of a first glimpse. Spiritually attached to their rhythm, my favourite pair of punks go five for five and transport the room to a strobe-y, seductive (and sarcastic) realm. As per, ZERA TONIN commands with her movement- leaving the stage to observe the crowd, letting out some utterly SLICING shrieks- and everyone looks on in agreement. Meddla's at the table with his box of tricks, cranking out the electronics.

A thought crops up in my head during an impromptu singalong of 'Pussy Bitch' - this is the sort of vibe that should be present everywhere, at all shows and events. An audience in tune with each other, keeping their hands to themselves and just generally having a bloody good time.

And you know what? I miss that night. I miss that night TREMENDOUSLY.

Feel the wrath of woman.

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Check out Arch Femmesis on their official bandcamp page, spotify, youtube channel and instagram.

Arch Femmesis will be playing at Nottingham Rock City on March 9th with The Comet Is Coming. Get your tickets here

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We thank Jack for writing for our page (and for having so much patience with us). We'd love to have more of you joining us on A Lucid Dream - please never hesitate to get in touch with us via email (notaluciddream@gmail.com) or DM on Instagram (@notaluciddream). We can't wait to hear from you!