Villagers - Deaf Institute, Manchester, 25/5/2010
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 1 / 6 / 2010

intro
At the Deaf Institute in Manchester at a show to promote their just released debut album, Dixie Ernill is thrilled by Irish five-piece Villagers' unassuming, but quietly confident and delightful pop rock
There’s no fanfare as the Irish five-piece take to the stage at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on the opening night of their UK mini-tour to promote their just released and rather excellent first LP, 'Becoming a Jackal'. They just quietly slip into position and ease into 'The Meaning of the Ritual' which gradually builds from a gentle strum to a full band work-out that easily surpasses it’s tamer recorded self. It certainly sets the benchmark for the rest of the show and the band do not disappoint, confidently serving up arguably the three strongest tracks from the LP (namely 'Home', current single “Becoming a Jackal” and a truly wonderful 'That Day') early in the proceedings, before a riotous 'Pieces'” is climaxed with all the band, save for singer Conor O’Brien and the pianist, leaving the stage after just five songs. The duo run through the beautifully understated 'To Be Counted Among Men' before the rest of the band return for the remainder of the set. The simple, delightful pop of 'The Pact (I’ll Be Your Fever)' is instantly contrasted with the tense and disturbing, but no less thrilling, 'I Saw the Dead', before the debut release, 'Down, Under The Sea' and an hypnotic drum powered 'Ship of Promises' bring the set to a powerful close. With the enthralled crowd demanding more, the band quickly return for a parting salvo of 'Set the Tigers Free', which O’Brien wanted to be a single and the plaintive 'On a Sunlit Stage'. Villagers may have arrived without fuss, but rest-assured, on the strength of this showing, the next time they play in Manchester they’ll need to find a much bigger venue and a fanfare will be a given.
Picture Gallery:-


profiles |
Interview (2011) |
![]() |
Filmmaker Joel Gilbert has made three documentary films about Bob Dylan, and has also written a book about and has his own tribute band dedicated to the iconic singer-songwriter. Lisa Torem speaks to him about his latest film, 'Dylan Revealed' |
live reviews |
Scala, London, 5/10/2010 |
![]() |
At the Scala in London, Paul Waller watches recent Mercury Prize nominees Villagers play a triumphant set |
Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 25/3/2010 |
reviews |
Becoming a Jackal (2010) |
![]() |
Extraordinary and dizzying pop on stunning debut album from Irish act, Villagers |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Roberta Flack - 1937 - 2025
Dave Barbarossa - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Doris Brendel - Interview
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Jay Reatard - Interview
Brian Wilson - City Hall, Sheffield, 2/8/2017
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Deacon Blue - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Kay Russell - Interview with Kay Russell
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
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