– ACADEMY 1, MANCHESTER –
Sorry, but this is going to be a biased review. I miss Azealia Banks due to the ridiculous idea of scheduling the first act 10 minutes after doors opening. I’m obviously disappointed to find out from the light technician that I have missed the filthy talking Azealia, who has been catapulted into pole position on the 2011 NME Cool List. Nonetheless, I ask an approachable concert-goer her opinion on the Harlem born rapper, and her word was, ‘animated.’ Well, judging by the unashamed merchandise featuring her lyric from ‘212’ “I guess that kunt getting eaten,” I am sure she was far from timorous. The next act would have to ooze charisma if they wanted to dominate the stage… and so on walk Tribes.
The Camden based Tribes are confronted with an eager shrieking of young fans, but their classic rock style echoes the strong guitar lead songs of the Pixies- a band that has clearly influenced their sound. The songs are simple and effective, like a shot of espresso to the system, wake up kids, this is timeless rock music, none of that twiddling about on guitars without reason. The lyrics are purposeful, engaging and bloody catchy, “these things happen, we were children, in the mid 90’s.” However, due to the simplicity of the songs, they border on turning into American radio friendly power ballads, but that will be to their advantage on their tour of the US this year.
Down come the big-eyed portraits of Metronomy, and the kinetic atmosphere iss hiked up a notch. I had seen them perform at Parklife festival last year, but it was just after the launch of their sumptuous seaside ode- The English Riviera, therefore regretfully the reaction was lukewarm. Now after the surge of popularity and countless award nominations, Metronomy hold the confidence to start their set with the bossa-nova beat of ‘Some Written’, this time the academy responds by beginning to dance. Their signature orbs flash to the powerful percussive blasts of the wonderfully sequined Anna Prior. The pulsating synths and fast hi-hat syncopations of ‘The Bay’ and wonky guitars of ‘Heartbreaker’ radiate infectious grooves through the audience; you know ‘it felt so goooooood.’
To my surprise, the academy is a mixed demographic of ages and heights, not dominated by young Fred Perry wearing skinny lads. This reflects the current diverse music scene, there is not an overriding genre of music that can define the essence of today’s NME. House music played before the Irish and dapper headliners, Two Door Cinema Club, light the stage. The recognisable guitar motifs of their album ‘Tourist History’ and the gentle tones of Alex Trimble’s voice feet like a whisper that hovers over the fast paced melodies and into the night. They preview a few songs from their new album, which commands the attention of many phones switched on to record. But it doesn’t signal a departure from their previous work, and so the songs effortlessly fit in between the popular singles. The culmination of the excited energy reaches its summit with ‘What You Know’ a blistering injection of jittering riffs and haunting lyrics, “you don’t want to be alone”, and as I look around and see the jumping collective of the young and the old, I don’t think anyone is.
