Yoko Ono - Deaf Institute, Manchester, 28/9/2009
by Dixie Ernill
published: 8 / 10 / 2009

intro
At the Deaf Insitute in Manchester, Dixie Ernill sees much hyped London-based indie rock band Fanfarlo play a fiery set
Despite being a Monday a decent crowd has assembled at the Deaf Institute. Even a bland performance from the opening act, Table, has not dampened enthusiasm, as Fanfarlo’s Simon and Cathy take to the stage to perform a stripped down version of recent single 'Drowning Man'. It is not as powerful as the full blown recorded version but it still dances all over Table. The full band join them on stage for the rest of the set starting with a stunning 'I’m a Pilot', the brilliant first track on their debut long player, 'Reservoir'. It comes on like a lost song from 'The Wicker Man' soundtrack if it had been perfomed by Arcade Fire. Indeed, a British Arcade Fire would be as good a tag as any to label Fanfarlo with. Next up, 'Finish Line' moves seamlessly into 'Harold T Wilkins or How to Wait for a Very Long Time' in which band members hold together melody despite the subtle interaction of so many different instruments. These are talented musicians and do a fine job of translating their excellent studio sound into the live arena. An untitled, but equally impressive, new song makes its live debut tonight following on from the slightly western theme tune sounding 'The Walls are Coming Down', before the band finish with the Snow Patrol flavoured 'Comets' and a pounding 'Luna'. During in the set the band say little, letting the music do the talking, which it does with ease. The one minor gripe is that there is no place in the set for classic early singles “Talking Backwards” and 'You are One of the Few Outsiders Who Really Understands Us'. A couple of Swedish girls performing under the moniker of First Aid Kit are next up, but no-one knows why….the highlight has already been and gone.
Picture Gallery:-

reviews |
Between My Head and the Sky (2009) |
![]() |
Experimental and challenging, but ultimately totally irresistible new album from Yoko Ono, her first under the Platic Ono Band moniker since the mid 1970s |
most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Cathode Ray - Interview
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Allan Clarke - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Pulp - More
Lapsley - I'm a Hurricane, I'm a Woman In Love
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