THE ALBERT HALL, MANCHESTER –
There’s much excitement and lure around the newly reopened Albert Hall as to the Canadian four-piece Half Moon Run. At least for me.
Since a short run of shows for MIF, I’ve been keen to see a live performance here and it’s incredible. Like a gilded frame; bands perform against the backdrop of an antique organ of gargantuan proportions, stained glass windows and stadium lighting.
Support for the night is provided by folk/soul singer Denai Moore, signed to Because Music she is fast making a name for herself. With a voice full of soul, her music if soft and mournful. Through the performance of her single Gone (listen here) she’s pinned by shards of light to the stage making the moment cinematic. Her performance is youthful and her persona humble.
Half Moon Run succeed in packing out the Albert Hall, setting aside screaming girls and couples who drip over each other make for a good crowd. I’m new to the band and after reading their description on Spotify as ‘Emotional, expansive, and ethereal’ I imagined there had been a mix-up at the description factory, maybe it had been swapped with the warning label for a packet of dutch mushrooms. Their music falls like a half dead fish within the neo-genre alt-pop, with a large amount of their songs being so catchy that not only are the audience singing along but I find myself trying to mouth the words like I’m 15 years old again and the drugs are wearing off. No, no, back to reality.
They perform with a large degree of musical theatricality which incrementally rises; starting with ‘ethereal’ dancing and gesticulating moving towards guitarist Collan Molander who shows his flare by building up a sweat by wielding his guitar mid solo. The band roll through their hits; ’21 Gun Salute’, ‘Drug You’, ‘Call Me In The Afternoon’ and so on – each of which is performed with pristine accuracy and maybe I sound a little bitter when I say It, but it becomes hard to see through feigned sincerity. ‘You’re all so beautiful, thank you Manchester’ Well not me buddy, not me and my beer.
Early on in the gig their drummer catches my attention, he is successfully managing to play the keys, drums and sing. Word on the street is that he used his toes to knit jumpers for stray cats.
For their encore, the band unplug and all join together at the front of the stage to perform a new song featuring a four part harmony. This is much to the jubilation of the crowd who are unable to hold silent. Which I don’t mind, at all. Not even a little bit.
The music and their performance is impeccably produced, and whilst they succeed in drawing an audience from a wide age range, they don’t stand out lyrically or musically. However, If the band can continue to produce and perform music of this standard, they will certainly be a touring again.
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