LIVE FROM THE PIT: The Plot In You, Invent Animate and Acres

We have not had the delight of having the American alternative metal heavyweights The Plot In You touring in the UK since the pandemic. Before the release of one album ‘Swan Song’ and two EP’s with a third on the way, the world had drastically changed for the band from Hancock County, Ohio. Not only has drummer Michael Cooper joined the lineup, but the band have gained a following big enough to sell out their UK and EU tour with time to spare. At Manchester’s Academy 2, it is time to take in the atmosphere alongside stateside friends Invent Animate and UK posthardcore openers Acres. 

Acres are a relatively new band, releasing their first album ‘Lonely World’ just after The Plot In You were last in the UK. After taking a little while for the crowd to warm up and get acquainted with the Portsmouth metallers, they began to run through their tracks with great ease. In the already packed venue, the pit opened up and swarmed as the band hit the breakdowns on some of their biggest hits, ‘My Everything’ and ‘Hold On’. Whilst their new release ‘Lost’ was a magnificent addition to the setlist. A great start to the evening and a warm introduction to the band. 

Texan posthardcore quintet Invent Animate have had an interesting trajectory in the last few years. A new vocalist Marcus Vik, alongside signing to label UNFD has propelled the band into a stunning new era crowned with their 2023 album ‘Heavener’. Breaking new ground, this set was a stark contrast to their last UK support tour with ERRA because the band only played songs from this new album. So depending on whether you like the band's old sound, your experience of this set may have been tainted. The band were very enthusiastic about only playing new songs. Overall, it was still a great set regardless, so not a total leap into the unknown. 

Their on stage presence was energetic and matched the pace of the audience. The interaction with the crowd was crazy, splitting the room in two from the stage to the sound desk as they asked for a second wall of death. Celestially cladded in all white and interlacing their songs with cerebral ambient sound, this new era of Invent Animate was an evolution. We’re looking forward to where the elevation of their new sound takes them. 

The Plot In You came on to the stage in an explosive start, with red confetti pooling into the audience after an almighty scream from vocalist Landon Tewers, signalling the start of their opening song, ‘Don’t Look Away’. High intensity continued with ‘Divide’ but the tempo was brought down with ‘All That I Can Give’. It’s worth mentioning that in this set all of the tracks from the bands two new EP’s were played, with their new release ‘Been Here Before’, marking the beginning of a third in this golden trilogy of EP’s. The band’s new sound did not feel out of place, compared to their earlier discography. 

‘THE ONE YOU LOVED’, a single off of fan favourite album ‘Dispose’ allowed the audience to open up as metalcore became heavy dancefloor pop. A palette cleanser for the heavy trio that came afterwards in ‘Crows’, ‘Paradigm’ and new track ‘Been Here Before’, forcing the pit to close up and come together with each of the band's damaging breakdowns. ‘Enemy’ , the climax of these high-intensity songs, was a standout highlight. The contrast between the sleek understated verses gave moments for the crowd to throw themselves into the pit in unison. ‘Closure’ followed suit slowing the audience down into a much needed break of ferocity. A moment of lamentation followed with ‘Left Behind’ 

The band left the stage for an encore and as Guitarist Josh Childress gave the opening notes to ‘DISPOSABLE FIX’ the whole crowd knew what was coming. Making sure they get as many crowd surfers down as possible, the band put everything they had into their finale, finishing on the emotive ‘FEEL NOTHING’.

Words: Amber Brooks

Photos: Izzy Scott