Manchester Orchestra @ Stubbs 5.16
photo : valerie@fremin.net
I first caught wind of Manchester Orchestra a while back while they were performing an in-studio for the folks over @ KEXP, and as I was casually listening while banging away on the computer, I soon found myself searching for a website/myspace page to learn more about these guys. Rolling Stone has them on the list of 10 bands to watch, in the company of Amy Winehouse and The Fratellis, which bodes fairly well for them in my opinion even though I’m not much of a subscriber to the magazine itself. A string of tours already set in place for this year supporting Brand New, Saves the Day, Say Anything, mewithoutYou, and Colour Revolt, also bodes well in the means that these guys have something going on that should to be paid attention to, if just out of shear curiosity. Granted I don’t subscribe to the works of several of those bands, as they don’t fall into my realm music that I’m usually interested in, but as I spent some time listening to Manchester Orchestra, I could understand the thought process behind the pairings, yet felt that there was more to this young band than emo charged pop punk. Although they are quite youthful in age, the songwriting is mature. The songs are well crafted with lyrics by the frontman Andy Hull that are dark, mysterious, and image provoking.
photo : valerie@fremin.net
My curiosity got the best of me and I found myself attending the bands early performance @ Stubb’s on Wednesday night, which they were performing opening duties for Saves the Day, and Say Anything. Much to my delight they opened the show with ‘Wolves at Night’ which is one of my favorites and the opening track for I’m like a Virgin Losing a Child, setting the pace for what was to be a short but enjoyable set from these young guys. Comparisons to Death Cab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, and Jimmy Eats World, are all understandable, but these guys have a style very much their own, and I would be willing to bet that they are only in the beginning stages of showing of their talent for songcrafting, and engaging live performances. In addition to the opening track ‘I can Barely Breathe’ and ‘Golden Ticket’ were a joy to watch as it’s hard to not find yourself basking in the songs and they come to life and slowly unfold while being performed by the the band. It’s hard to deny the members enthusiasm and belief in the music that they are playing and the closing number ‘Where have you been’ while being joined by members of Say Anything for additional drums and guitars, was and intense journey in a man’s questioning soul that left the chatty crowd silenced and curious as to what they had just witnessed, as the screams of vocalist and frontman Andy Hull ceased.
Maybe the choice for tour partners isn’t all that bad for the band, as long as you have a receptive audience that won’t be able to deny what they have just witnessed on stage. Whether they understand the full scope of the talent or not, they will more than likely leave with a sense of curiosity about Manchester Orchestra, and sometimes that sense of curiosity pays off with its own golden ticket.
photo : valerie@fremin.net
Catch the guys on the road opening for mewithoutYou starting 5.27 and then Colour Revolt a little bit later in the summer, as well as a showing at our own ACL Festival. There’s no excuse for not having an opportunity to see these guys live, as they seem determined to give you every chance they can.
I would also recommend picking up a copy of ‘I’m like a Virgin Losing a Child’ for your own listening pleasure. Here are a few selections from the album.
Wolves at Night mp3
Where Have You Been mp3
Alice and Interiors mp3
Oh yeah…Thanks for the show guys. We will see you again real soon.
Manchester Orchestra myspace
On the road
May 17 2007
House Of Blues (w- Say Anything & Saves the Day) Dallas, Texas
May 27 2007
Granada Theatre (w- mewithoutyou) Lawrence, Kansas
May 28 2007
Marquis Theatre (w- mewithoutyou) Denver, Colorado
May 29 2007
Club Sound (w- mewithoutyou) Salt Lake City, Utah
May 31 2007
Neumo’s (w- mewithoutyou) Seattle, Washington
Jun 1 2007
Hawthorne Theater (w- mewithoutyou) Portland, Oregon
Jun 2 2007
The Boardwalk (w- mewithoutyou) Orangevale, California
Jun 3 2007
Slim’s (w- mewithoutyou) San Francisco, California
Jun 5 2007
El Rey Theater (w- mewithoutyou) Los Angeles, California
Jun 6 2007
Glasshouse (w- mewithoutyou) Pomona, California
Jun 7 2007
SOMA – Sidestage (w- mewithoutyou) San Diego, California
Jun 8 2007
Brickhouse (w- mewithoutyou) Phoenix, Arizona
Jun 9 2007
Launchpad (w- mewithoutyou) Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jun 12 2007
The Conservatory (w- mewithoutyou) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jun 15 2007
Masquerade (w- mewithoutyou) Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 16 2007
Bonnaroo (-Jack’s Cafe Stage) Manchester, Tennessee
Jun 18 2007
Rock and Roll Hotel (w- mewithoutyou) Washington, Washington DC
Jun 19 2007
Highline Ballroom (w- mewithoutyou) New York, New York
Jun 20 2007
The Silo (w- mewithoutyou) Reading, Pennsylvania
Jun 21 2007
Grog Shop (w- mewithoutyou) Cleveland, Ohio
Jun 22 2007
St. Andrew’s Hall (w- mewithoutyou) Detroit, Michigan
Jun 23 2007
Metro (w- mewithoutyou) Chicago, Illinois
Jun 25 2007
Station 4 (w- mewithoutyou) St. Paul, Minnesota
Jun 27 2007
Irving Theater (w- mewithoutyou) Indianapolis, Indiana
Sep 14, 15, 16 2007
Austin City Limits Music Festival Austin, Texas
