The Scratch

The Scratch land at New Century, Manchester, on 30 January 2027. Formed in Dublin in the late 2010s by former members of metal outfit Red Enemy, the quartet channel that intensity through an all-acoustic setup. Fast-picked guitars lock with dry, driving percussion and chant-like harmonies, blending Irish folk figures with punk and rock grit. Their songs are tight and rhythmic, rooted in tradition but built for momentum.

On stage, the four lean into pulse and dynamics: foot-stomps and claps, close harmonies, sudden shifts from hushed verses to full-throttle refrains. Couldn’t Give A Rats set the balance between ballad form and tension, and Mind Yourself sharpened the collective vocals and the stop-start turns that kick a chorus to life. Live, it stays raw and direct, the focus on interplay and timing rather than gloss. Expect acoustic instruments pushed hard, hooks carried by voices in unison, and a set that moves in waves without losing the beat.