Photo © Jessica NewellThe first thing that hits you when you step into the smallest of Manchester's student's union Academy music halls is the overwhelming heat. Even before any musician walks on stage tonight audience members are soaked in sweat from the sauna like conditions. Luckily tonight's gig is set to be a reasonably mellow affair
Photo © Jessica NewellSupport act Kevin Devine is a softly spoken, ginger haired New Yorker who's toured with Manchester Orchestra on multiple occasions in the states, yet is his first time with them in the UK. The audience are clearly familiar with his music from his association with the headline act, many singing the songs back at him. Kevin is (for this tour at least) one man and his guitar. A gifted singer/songwriter whose powerful lyrics and vocals make you want to stop what you are doing and listen, and for a while even make you forget about the increasing stifling heat. You are left wishing his 40min set was that little bit longer.
Photo © Jessica NewellHeadline act Manchester Orchestra perform tracks from their albums I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child (2006) and Mean Everything to Nothing (2009) to an enthralled crowd. The songs are much heavier sounding live than they are on record and they deliver them with passion and a maturity that belies their young years (frontman Andy Hull is only 22) They have a great interaction with the audience and prove to be quite humourous, incuding a ditty about the rapper 50 cent that wouldn't sound out of place on a Tenacious D record. They are joined near the end of their gig by Kevin Devine, who performs "Where Have You Been" with them. A rousing song ending with the entire crowd singing the chorus line, acapella, back at the band. By the end it feels as though you have witnessed something truly special. The type of gig where you come out and have such a great feeling inside that it takes at least 5 full minutes to realise that it's chucking it down with rain outside and you're getting soaked.
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