REVIEW: Delphic, Sheffield Leadmill
DOCTOR Who and his Tardis are back on TV soon, but a trip down the Leady this weekend gave gig goers the chance to experience a time machine of a different sort.
New Manchester bright hopes Delphic, already on their second visit to the city this year, transport us back, evoking the spirit of '88 with their acid rave feel and Technique-era New Order influences.
It sounds the perfect soundtrack for a liberal dose of that meerkat stuff, or whatever it is that the kids are into these days.
But the night takes us forward too - surely we are seeing the evolution of a band due to set alight many a bigger stage and festival tent over the months to come.
The live set already seems to have left the debut album Acolyte far behind, although Doubt and Halcyon are still tight and run no longer than the four minute mark.
The more spacey tracks though are now being allowed to take flight and grow, with an epic This Momentary leading the way and a euphoric Counterpoint soaring even higher to provide the night's highlight.
It probably wouldn't work at all if Delphic didn't have such big tunes to fall back on, anchoring the show and never letting things drift into self-indulgence.
Indeed a tight hour-long set while feeling just right, also left you wanting something more - always the sign of a good set.
Mike Russell
Courteeners, O2 Academy
MANCHESTER seems to be taking over Sheffield tonight with rising stars Delphic selling out the Leadmill and more impressively these fellow citizens supported by The Whip doing similar business at the Academy.
The Liam Fray-led Courteeners have risen rapidly since forming in 2006 as 18-year-old former schoolmates. Fray initially drew the crowds with his pub solo sets and remains the creative force here, standing front and centre all night. His image as the mouthy Mancunian attracted much attention to the fledgling band, but is not as obvious now, though he has his moments as he comments: "We're not arrogant, just better".
The band's debut album, St Jude, charted in the top five and second album Falcon, released last month, did almost as well but has noticeably more sensitive, mature lyrics.
Strutting on stage in shades to screams, Liam is in his element and, despite confessing to a sore throat, seems on top form. The heaving crowd, with more than a few from over the Pennines, sing the verses on many songs and apart from highlight Not Nineteen Forever most of the set is from the sophomore album. Lyric-driven Cross My Heart And Hope To Fly is a particular fan favourite along with Take Over The World, which sounds like a boast but is actually a poignant love song.
A solo interlude from Liam is chased up by a storming finish including latest single You Over Did It Doll but surprisingly no encore, following The Who's philosophy of 'always leave them wanting more' which this audience most definitely did.
Sean Bruce
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. To subscribe CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
