Belle And Sebastian - Manchester Academy, Manchester, 21/7/2023
by Amanda J. Window
published: 25 / 10 / 2023
As Belle and Sebastian formed back in 1996, and they are one of my favourite bands, you'd have thought I would have seen them play (at least once) before now. Having just launched their latest album 'Late Developers’, Belle and Sebastian have been touring the UK since starting in Newcastle on 5th July. We caught them at their Manchester show, which was the second-to-last UK date before they headed off to sunnier climes to play some festivals. The band walked onto stage on time and to a huge applause from their rather mixed age audience. It was good to see fans that had followed them from their first album 'If You're Feeling Sinister', as well as young students that equally knew the words to every song. I took ally my photos before the 'dreaded red lighting' appeared which accompanied their fourth track 'She's Losing It’. Frontman Stuart Murdoch fondly shared his memories of the first time he played in Manchester back in 1997 at Manchester Town Hall before launching into their next track 'Dirty Dream'. The whole band had a lot of energy and you could see they were enjoying it as much as we were. “Did you enjoy Drug Store Romeos?” Murdoch asked about the support band who had been their companions for much of the tour. It was good to hear their singer Sarah Downe’s voice on a couple of tracks too – she has a beautiful voice and she's exceptionally multi-talented! The tour was in fact due to start earlier in the year, but was postponed as Stuart Murdoch had health issues. Having said that, he played brilliantly on stage and he put all his energy in to his performance. At one stage he jumped on top of the piano and did a rather familiar dance with his feet firmly together, before stating “I wasn't trying to do an Ian Curtis but you can't move your feet” – pointing at the top of the piano – his personal podium. The band played a good selection of songs and each interlude gave Murdoch the chance to chat with their fans. It was as if he was tantalising everyone before they played the next record. 'If You're Feeling Sinister' raised one of the biggest cheers (and everyone sang along), their earlier records having the most impact on tonight’s audience – with Murdoch, at this point, immersing himself into the mosh pit for a bit of crowd surfing! 'Fox in the Snow' was next and after this a fan leaned forward to offer Stuart a card with song titles on it. Sadly, I was too far back by then to see it properly! 'The Boy With The Arab Strap' was next up – another great hit and one I'm glad that I, eventually, got to see performed live. The tunes continued and keeping in with the 'Friday night dancing' theme members of the audience were invited onto the stage . Stuart didn't start singing until the last person walked on. The band sang 'The Blues Are Still Blue' and towards the end Murdoch (keeping us highly entertained) did yoga poses surrounded by around thirty dancing fans. God knows what the management thought – but everyone was having a great time up there! They finished the set with 'Me And The Major' and the lyrics “The snow is falling, falling, falling – Manchester's calling, calling calling.'' And those final words were my earworm for the whole weekend. It was an absolutely great show and I'm glad I went to see them. In fact I'd definitely go and see them again – What have I been missing? I only wish they'd played 'I Want The World To Stop' - but there's always next time... Set List: Nobody's Empire Allie So In The Moment She's Losing it Dirty Dream #2 Reclaim The Night Unnecessary Drama Piazza, New York Catcher If You're Feeling Sinister When You're Not With Me The Wrong Girl Your Cover's Blown/Sukie Fox In The Snow/Mary Jo The Boy With The Arab Strap The Blues Are Still Blue Me And The Major Photos by Amanda J Window www.amandajwindow.com
Also at Academy, Manchester
Band Links:-
https://www.belleandsebastian.com/https://www.facebook.com/belleandsebastian
https://twitter.com/bellesglasgow
Play in YouTube:-
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-
intro
Amanda J Window enjoys an exuberant set from Scottish indie pop outfit Belle and Sebastian at the Manchester Academy.
interviews |
Interview (2009) |
Ben Howarth speaks to Chris Geddes, the keyboardist with Belle and Sebastian about how their own one-off 1999 festival, the Bowlie Weekender had a crucial impact on the All Tomorrow's Parties festivals, and, after a long absence, his band's own plans for the future |
live reviews |
Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, 28/10/2104 |
Dixie Ernill watches Belle and Sebastian play a remarkable greatest hits set at Manchester Cathedral |
features |
Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2015) |
In our series, in which our writers write about ten songs that made them love a particular artist or band, Erick Mertx writes about his favourite songs by Belle and Sebastian |
soundcloud
reviews |
Late Developers (2023) |
Eclectic latest album from Glasgow indie-pop band Belle and Sebastian |
Dear Catastrophe Waitress (2003) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPDwina Gibb - Interview
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
related articles |
Looper: Profile (2015 |
Erick Mertz examines 'These Things', a career-defining box set from legendary Glaswegian genre benders, Looper |
Looper: Interview (2015) |
Roy Moller: Interview (2012) |
Celebrating Alex Chilton: Live Review (2010) |
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