Allo Darlin' - Deaf Institute, Manchester, 23/2/2012

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 13 / 3 / 2012

intro

Dixie Ernill finds cdementing their reputation as one of the best indie pop outfits around in a highly entertaining gig at the Deaf Institute in Manchester

The support band, This Many Boyfriends, have set the bar pretty high tonight, but it shows just how good Allo Darlin' are that they manage to comfortably justify their top billing and cement their status as one of the best indie pop outfits around by the end of a highly entertaining set. Despite having a new LP, 'Europe', due for release in the next couple of months, Allo Darlin' draw heavily on their back catalogue whilst still serving up some choice new cuts to whet the appetites of a packed crowd that singer Elizabeth Morris understandably decides constitutes a sell-out. Indeed they open the show with the first single from 'Europe', 'Capricornia', a beautiful ode to the region of Queensland that Morris grew up in and follow it with the excellent title track of the new LP. By the time they belt through 'Darren', their wonderful tribute to former Hefner singer and indie-pop good guy Darren Hayman, Allo Darlin' are well and truly into their stride with moustached bassist Bill Botting leaping around like he's on a pogo stick, Morris dropping her knees in time to the music and even the normally reserved Mike Collins on guitar allowing himself the occasional sway. Behind them drummer, Paul Rains, is awash with smiles and most definitely would be dancing like a loon if he wasn't stationed behind his kit. The mid-set 'The Polaroid Song' and 'Let's Go Swimming', the latter containing yet more references to Morris's Australian roots, are both absolute corkers, marrying simple heartfelt lyrics and ace melodies to stunning effect, and are rightly wonderfully received by the enthralled crowd. A couple more fine sounding new songs follow before the set is concluded with two of the many highlights from their debut album 'Silver Dollars' and 'Dreaming', featuring additional vocals from the effervescent Botting. Thankfully the fun doesn't stop there and the three song encore that follows is truly something special as the band take on, to wonderful effect, the Go-Betweens' 'Dive For Your Memory'. Such is the quality of their version that I am sure original author Robert Forster, who has been a champion of the band for some time, would be mightily impressed and maybe a little jealous. There is a stunned awe in the crowd that even the riotous 'Kiss Your Lips' and 'My Heart is a Drummer' only partially manage to quell. On the back of This Many Boyfriends, Allo Darlin' have been the cornerstone of the best gig of the year so far.

Band Links:-

Have a Listen:-

Picture Gallery:-