T in the Park T in the Park 2000

First time in front of the Cardiff export Manchild for this reviewer but having heard so much we were keen not to miss it. Early Sunday on Stage 2 and playing just a half hour set the masses had yet to reach T in the Park and there was a thin crowd for this set.

Manchild weren't going to let that hinder them though and they tried and succeeded in getting a fantastic response from those lucky to find themselves there. The sound is reminiscent of the Prodigy but a direct comparison would be unkind and largely only due to the same management as the Prod. The fast and energetic metal-tainted techno is very compelling and we all had plenty of space to bop away in. "Do you want some bass?" they shouted before piling into Enter The Dragon, assaulting us with the sound from 2 synths, decks, drummer and 2 guitars not to mention the rapping vocals.

Another strong song, Rehab, saw Kwan's breakdancing on stage which was just the start of his mental antics including him climbing the stage scaffolding and launching himself into the audience (unfortunately there were not enough of us to support his crowd surfing but he emerged unruffled by his falling to earth!).

The set climax was Cliché's Are All True, featuring the sampling of Kelly Jones, the Stereophonics' frontman. "Bounce, bounce" they encouraged and bounce we did. Manchild received an awesome response from the thin crowd. They are playing just about every major festival this year and if you get a chance to experience them then go for it, you will not be disappointed.

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