Twin Shadow - Deaf Institute, Manchester, 26/1/2011

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 21 / 1 / 2011

intro

At their first show in Manchester, Dixie Ernill watches an excited Twin Shadow, the project of Dominican Republican-born and now New York-based singer George Lewis Jr, play a thrilling set of 80's-influenced indie rock

I've waited eleven years to play here," announces a clearly thrilled George Lewis Jr as his band, Twin Shadow embark on their maiden Manchester show, opening with a vibrant 'Shooting Holes'. Keen to promote a debut LP, 'Forget', that slipped out too late last year to make many of the annual review lists, all tonight's songs are taken from it. Every single one seeming to benefit from the live arena to such an extend that the previously enjoyable LP now sounds pale in comparison to the live version. There is clearly a strong 80's influence throughout, both in terms of the music and the band's dress sense with the bassist sporting a sleeveless camouflage t-shirt and Lewis a vast fleece of hair that appears to have only marginally been tamed by a gallon of hairspray. Strong hints of OMD, Spandau Ballet, Simple Minds, Orange Juice, Haircut 100 and even New Order are present across the songs to such an extent that there is a real feel of familiarity about them, but also a pleasing freshness that makes proceedings a thrilling watch and listen. The eight song set never dips, but the highlights are 'When We're Dancing', 'I Can't Wait', 'Slow' and wonderful closer 'Forget'. A two song encore follows with the breezy 'At My Heels', a song destined for the dance floor, bringing proceedings to a superb climax. I'll wager it won't be another eleven years before Twin Shadow grace Manchester again, but it's unlikely they'll play such a compact venue next time.

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