Dears - Deaf Institute. Manchester, 10/10/2017
by Dixie Ernill
published: 9 / 12 / 2017

intro
Dixie Ernill watches Montreal indie rockers The Dears make an excellent live return-to- form at the Deaf Institute in Manchester
The Dears frontman Murray Lightburn is the epitome of cool - sporting shades and dressed in black and the perfect contrast to Natalia Yanchak, who also cuts a dash stood over her keyboard with her shock of jagged blonde hair. Tonight they share vocal duties on the opening track 'Taking It to the Grave', the first of a few that sparkle from ace current album 'Times Infinity Volume Two'. Indeed they can even afford to leave 'Guns or Knives', the best song from the album under wraps and still provide a show that is full of emotion, swagger and vocals that leave the hairs rigid on the back of your neck. Previous album, 'Times Infinity Volume One', lacked something on release a couple of years back, but the songs played from it tonight are given renewed punch and feeling, with 'Face of Horrors' being an unexpected highlight. It is, howeVEr, the older tracks that really raise the roof and climatic proportions are reached during the brilliant couplet of 'Love Then Hate' and 'Lost in the Plot' that close the set to great effect. Before then we are treated to a jangly '5 Chords', equally impressive 'Disclaimer' and a swirling 'Whites Only Party' in amongst a good smattering of tracks from the last two albums that all easily transcend their recorded selves in this most perfect of live settings. The encore begins with just Lightburn strumming through a tender 'There Goes My Outfit', while the audience stand transfixed in awe, before the band join him for 'The Second Part' and bring proceedings to close. When I first came across The Dears back in 2003 as their 'No Cities Left LP' was released in the UK, frontman, Murray Lightburn, was described in certain quarters as the “Black Morrissey.” I’m sure Morrissey, with his substandard comeback songs, would sell his own mother right now to be referred to as the “White Lightburn”! The Dears truly are a band to saviour and right now they are on top of their game.
Band Links:-
http://www.thedears.org/https://www.facebook.com/TheDears/
https://twitter.com/thedears
https://www.instagram.com/thedears/
Play in YouTube:-
Picture Gallery:-


live reviews |
Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 26/2/2017 |
![]() |
Dixie Ernill watches Montreal-based indie rockers the Dears play a blinding Sunday night show at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds which proves well worth a hundred mile round trip |
soundcloud
reviews |
Lovers Rock (2020) |
![]() |
Perseverance is rewarded on excellent eighth album from often under-rated Montreal rockers The Dears |
Times Infinity Volume Two (2017) |
Gang Of Losers (2006) |
Lost In The Plot (2004) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCartyPeter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
Waeve - Club Academy, Manchester, 18/3/2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBeautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Cliff Richard and The Shadows - Comment
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Paul Clerehugh - Interview
Ken Loach - Interview
Pere Ubu - Interview with David Thomas
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Ringo Starr - Look Up
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Leon Bridges - Leon
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart