Gig/Concert: Shockwaves NME Awards Tour 2010
Venue: Manchester Academy, Manchester, England
Date: 6 February 2010
Headliners: Maccabees
In one word: Pulsating

The annual NME Awards Tour is renowned for showcasing acts that are set to be big in the coming year; in 2005, it was The Killers, in 2006, it was Arctic Monkeys and most recently, last year, was the turn of Florence and the Machine. I was eagerly anticipating this gig as a chance to catch some exciting bands.

First up were New Yorkers, The Drums, who have been tipped as one of the bands for 2010. I hadn’t heard any of their songs before seeing them live, but I was pleasantly surprised. Standout tracks were “Down By The Water”, with its heart-felt lyrics, and “Let’s Go Surfing”, a track with a catchy hook and an essence of Vampire Weekend. During the second song, “Submarine”, one of the guitarists ditched his strings and picked up a tambourine, he then leapt around on the spot, bashing the skin, like a child who has overdone it on fizzy pop, blue Smarties and E-numbers in general; he was very entertaining. Frontman Jonathan Pierce declared that the band was enjoying being in Manchester, and it was evident from him Ian Curtis-esque dancing and similar vocal tones that they have been heavily influenced by one of the great Manchester bands. I was impressed by this band and I’m really looking forward to seeing them play again in May.

“…Robbie Furze almost ripping the strings off his guitar, the band pulsated energy”

The Big Pink were second on the bill and arrived on stage to a big build up, before launching into “Too Young To Love”. With seizure inducing lighting (I felt sorry for the photographers in the pit!) and Robbie Furze almost ripping the strings off his guitar, the band pulsated energy; energy that was not matched by the audience until their last song, “Dominos”, and even then it was only a short spurt. Their sound was completely different to any of the other bands set to appear, so I think the atmosphere at one of their own concerts would be much better. As well as “Dominos”, the best song of their set was the single “Velvet”. Sumptuous and raw, Furze’s vocals echoed around the venue and proved that this band have a soul.

After a short wait, Bombay Bicycle Club took to the stage and played the short opening track from their debut album I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose to start their 45 minute set. The crowd were obviously more familiar with these boys and really got into the swing of things when they played “What If”, with its punchy beat and catchy hook. Notable songs were “Evening/Morning”, “Magnet” and their recent re-issued single “Always Like This”, which got the biggest dance/shuffle of their set. At one point, I thought I was at a Tom Jones concert when a bra went flying at the stage and landed on guitarist Jamie MacColl’s mic stand! They ended the set with “Cancel On Me”, one of my favourite songs from the album, and left the crowd eagerly awaiting the headliners – The Maccabees.

This being the fourth time I’ve seen The Maccabees, I knew pretty much what to expect; a quick-paced set comprised of well-known songs from their first album along with new tracks from their second effort. As soon as the opening chords of “William Powers” were played, I was in my element. A grin was fixed permanently on my face throughout the set because, after all, I was seeing my favourite band play for the third time in less than a year at this sold out gig. The band played “All In Your Rows”, a song from their first album which I haven’t heard live since 2007, so if the gig had ended there I would have been content. But their set continued and they were flanked by a brass section for renditions of “Can You Give It?” and “Wall Of Arms”. Half way through, guitarist Felix White welcomed John Bramwell from their “favourite Manchester band” I Am Kloot, who I had seen support them the first time I saw The Maccabees live. They played a version of “Because” with Bramwell on vocals, but White was singing every word along with him as if he was his idol.

Their set was short and sweet, at only 50 minutes long, and notable absences were “Lego” and “About Your Dress”, however I’m sure they just wanted to concentrate on their most recent songs. The main set ended with the customary “First Love” and they returned to a chanting crowd to play “Bag of Bones” and “Love You Better”. Hearing the former live again has made me appreciate it much more, with Orlando Weeks’ haunting vocals echoing around the room.

© Francesca Howell, Music Vice

Gig/Concert: Jamie T and The Pacemakers with Cold Ones
Venue: Manchester Academy, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
Date: 23 January 2010
Headliners: Jamie T
In one word: Boisterous

I’ve been waiting to see Jamie T for well over two years, but every time he’s played I’ve been away from home. I was determined not to miss this gig and had high expectations.

The support came from Liverpudlian punk band Cold Ones. The lead singer came out brandishing a battered radio, as the gig was being recorded and going out live on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show. Their set was quick paced and energetic, but was summed up nicely by my friend’s comment; “all the songs sound the same!” If you’re into their kind of supercharged, albeit rather samey, hardcore punk, I’d highly recommend them as the band were tight. The singer was never still and constantly interacting with the audience; 10/10 for effort but if it weren’t for the breaks in between songs I wouldn’t have known when one ended and another kicked off.

Jamie T took to the stage to sounds of rapturous applause from an eager crowd; well, we had been waiting for this gig for over three months. He had been ill with laryngitis and so had to reschedule his whole tour for the New Year. He was gracious and thankful that such a large crowd had waited for him to recover.

The set kicked off with recent single “The Man’s Machine” followed by a couple of other tracks from his second album. I’m now glad that the gig was put back because I’ve had time to really listen to his second effort and I appreciate it even more because of his energetic live show. I got the feeling that every performance is a group effort and not just about the singer/songwriter; there was a real gang vibe between him and his backing band The Pacemakers. They are a group of mates having a good time and we, the audience, just happened to be there.

High levels of energy and raucousness were sustained throughout the set, apart from when he took it down a peg or two to play an acoustic rendition of “Back In The Game” and B-side “St. Christopher”. The latter track showed Jamie’s softer side, while crowd participation on the former was emphasized by his lone six strings. “Dance of the Young Professionals”, another B-side, cropped up later in his set, and even though not many of the crowd knew it, the rag-a-muffin beat provoked shuffled dancing across the sold out venue.

Highlights of the set, for me, were a quick-paced version of “Pacemaker” and of course the anthemic “Shelia’” The band ended with “British Intelligence”. It’s one of my favourites from Kings and Queens and it amazes me how his rhythmic rhymes don’t get muddled up from mind to mic. Mr T. returned to a chanting crowd with ukulele led “Spider’s Web’” closely followed by “Chaka Demus” which really packed a punch with its insanely catchy hook. There was only one song left and it had to be “Stick ‘n’ Stones”. The band and crowd gave it their all and by the end of the evening, I was drenched in beer and other’s people sweat….nice…always a sign of a good gig.

© Francesca Howell

Gig/Concert: The Maccabees
Venue: Manchester Academy, Manchester, England
Date: 6 October 2009
Headliners: The Maccabees
In one word: Kindred

Nothing could put a dampener on my excitable spirits on this evening, not even the torrential rain that poured continuously throughout my journey to Manchester Academy. Seeing The Maccabees, a five piece band from South London via Brighton. I’ve seen the band twice before, most recently in May when they played the Academy 2 in the Student’s Union. Their second album, Wall Of Arms, had been released only a few days before the gig, but the fans welcomed the new tracks with open arms. Five months down the line and practically everyone in the crowd was singing every word along with front man Orlando Weeks.

The support came from a trio called Peggy Sue (formerly known as Peggy Sue and the Pirates, but alas, the Pirates have upped and left), also from Brighton. They played a half hour set to a growing crowd during which the two female members, Rosa Rex and Katy Klaw, swapped instruments at least 5 times. Multi-talented musicians, that’s what I like to see! Memorable songs of theirs were ‘The Sea The Sea’, ‘Once We Were Strangers’ and ‘Watchman’. Their alternative folk music paved the way nicely for The Maccabees’ set.

There is always a certain vibe at a Maccabees concert; anyone who has seen them live can vouch for that. As soon as they take to the stage the crowd and band become one big, happy family, looking out for each other. Except, at this gig, there were two distant cousins twice removed who weren’t all that welcome, or welcoming. Part way through the set during Colour It In track ‘Precious Time’, a fight broke out right behind where I was stood. Not just a petty scrap, a full on fight. Guitarist Felix White came right to the edge of the stage and told the rowdy twosome to interject: “Oi! What do you think you’re doing? Get outside if you want to do that. We’ll have none of that in here.”The band had stopped playing and Orlando Weeks had a look of bewilderment across his face. The room was quiet, I think everyone was pretty stunned, until he started singing the chorus to the song. Fighting at a metal show or a hardcore punk gig, fair enough, it does happen sometimes, but not at an indie show where the band sing of toothpaste kisses, trips to Disneyland and a local swimming pool.

The band quickly moved on to ‘Dinosaurs’, a track from their new album, but it was clear that Felix was still distracted. He was peering out into the crowd, checking that everything was ok. It wasn’t until the next song that the usual fun-loving mood had returned and the band got back into the full swing of things. That’s what I love about The Maccabees; they care about their fans. Throughout the gig, Orlando kept asking if everyone was alright, saying that he’d keep checking back over the course of the night. The band feed off the audience’s reaction. Felix, coming to the edge of the stage and posing for any cameras pointing his way with a huge grin on his face, as everyone sang along and bounced to the beat, giving the thumbs up between songs, is a performer I could watch all day. A great entertainer. Even though this band have come a long way, it’s clear that they still love playing live to the people who buy and enjoy their music, and the band share a kindred connection with their loyal fanbase.

The band were on stage for over an hour and 15 minutes, playing a long and pleasing set. They played their second album in its entirety, along with a handful of tracks from their first and a couple of B Sides from recent single ‘Love You Better’. For certain songs, the boys were flanked by a brass section which was a nice surprise. The two guitarists, and brothers, Felix and Hugo White both took to the mic to sing lead vocals on their songs ‘Accordion’ and ‘Hearts That Strangle’. During the latter, Felix looked on with brotherly love and support. I haven’t heard ‘Latchmere’ in any of their live sets for a long time, so to hear the opening chords sent me and the rest of the crowd into a dancing frenzy. Slow crooner ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ received one of the biggest welcomings of the night, with the crowd whistling along with ‘Weeks’, until they picked up the pace with ‘Lego’, one of my favourite songs from their first album, which had everyone dancing again.

I wished ‘Love You Better’ would never arrive as the gig had been the best one I’d been to in awhile, but it was the perfect end to a great set list and a great gig. The Maccabees remind me that there are great bands out there with good songs who love playing live and who aren’t just in it for the time being; it looks as if these boys are in it for the long run.

© Francesca Howell

Setlist
No Kind Words
One Hand Holding
X-Ray
Tissue Shoulders
Can You Give It
Young Lions
Wall of Arm
Latchmere
Accordion
Precious Time
Dinosaurs
Kiss & Resolve
Toothpaste Kisses
Lego
Mary
Hearts That Strangle
William Powers
First Love
Bag Of Bones
Seventeen Hands
Love You Better