Review: The Steals @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Date: 12.08.10 

Reviewed by: Miz DeShannon

Hebden Bridge, hippy centre of the north, full of beautiful cottages, carefree kids and a plethora of super-cool musicians making happy-go-lucky music. That’s where you’ll usually find Jayn Hanna and The Steals.  After a headline show supporting School of Seven Bells earlier in the month, Jayn and her band of merry musicians returned to The Ruby Lounge for their own headline gig. 

Such a slight front woman, she really does looks like a woodland dwelling elf, with flowing hair and wonderfully ethereal vocals, dwarfed by her vintage guitar. The 4-piece had a bunch of epic songs to guide us gently through their evening of fairytales, starting with the beautiful 'Out Of Your Hands'. 

The band's fourth song 'The Wreckage' started with a thumping floor tom like a heartbeat, with lyrics like that of an old sea shanty, Jayn acting the siren throughout. 

Despite songs like 'Borderlines' and 'Sinner' being a little similar, each having wailing walls of feedback to finish, that’s just the sound this outfit creates, floaty dreamy psych-inspired wonders. The set all in all was an awe inspiring performance of music reminiscent of a folkier Black Mountain.