Spector - O2 Academy, Liverpool, 16/10/2012

  by Harry Sherriff

published: 29 / 10 / 2012

intro

Harry Sherriff enjoys Spector's energetic and anthemic pop at a gig at the O2 Academy in Liverpool

Spector delivered a masterclass in putting on a show to a rapt Liverpool audience. Before the gig I had the pleasure of interviewing frontman Fred Macpherson and bassist Thomas Shickle. Both were excited to be in a music loving Liverpool. “It should be quite a good show,” Fred deadpanned. Spector’s debut album 'Enjoy It While It Lasts' has barely stopped playing on my iTunes since it came out in August, and when it has stopped the hooks and choruses to 'True Love (For Now)', 'Chevy Thunder' and 'Never Fade Away' have remained firmly in my head. I hold the album in high regard; it’s a brilliant pop album. I told Spector I thought so highly of the album I refer to it as an album of singles, which seemed to make Fred smile. “I guess it is,” he replied. When you love a band’s work, seeing them live is a tricky situation. After all if they’re not up to the album it weakens it, it loses some of its magic. There was a buzz about the O2 Academy waiting for Spector to walk on stage. 'Twenty Nothing' kicked off the set and already Fred had the crowd singing his own lyrics back to him, clearly a thrilling moment for any front man. The best showmen use this at the right times and don’t over do it. Macpherson definitely falls under this bracket. In between songs he interacted with the audience effortlessly, making jokes and building the excitement for the next guitar-fuelled pop anthem. Some bands are lucky if they have one or two tracks that really get the crowd singing but Spector seem unable to write anything other than three to four minute gems that had the whole room crooning back to the stage. It’s as if the album was written very consciously with an audience and the live side of things in mind. With seasoned Macpherson (formerly of Les Incompétents and Ox. Eagle. Lion. Man.) on songwriting duties I’m sure that was the case. The moment of the night came just before the end. Fred pretending the show was over, and all the songs were played before the crowd naturally breaking into the stupidly catchy chorus belonging to 'Never Fade Away'. A little over four minutes and Spector left the stage leaving behind hundred of satisfied fans, me included. Fred was wrong; it was a very good show. The photographs that accompany this article were taken by Marie Hazelwood.

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