Manchester International Festival;
The Pavilion, Albert Square, Manchester, 13/7/9

The Pavilion tenet may only be around for the duration of the Manchester International festival, approximately 2 weeks, but there is nothing temporary in the construction of the sound stage, lighting or acoustics of the enclosures. With a sound system that is as good as or better than a large number of Manchester’s “Premier” venues, it has already led to one act that played there to ask why it can’t be there all year? As Dave Haslem announced, it’s a big “thank you to you, the council tax payers of Manchester”. He also commented on the high quality of the sandwiches available to the bands. He didn’t say anything about the can of lager he was drinking from.

With the majority of the listeners sat on the “carpets” the atmosphere resembled more of an intimate setting in someone’s (albeit rather large) front room for the laid back, evocative musical nuances from John Stammers and his 4 piece backing group, who are also all seated. Deftness and subtlety is exemplified with the use of brushes being used to caress the drums rather than sticks, whilst on some numbers a harp is gently plucked.

Stammers voice rolls outs and washes over the audience who revel in the occasion. Procession like Stammers leads his ensemble, including a trumpet player, along, creating rich aural patterns that are woven much to the enjoyment of the audience. The closing of the set is acknowledged by well deserved applause

Haslam even announces that the turn around time will be “Eight minutes” a ridiculously impossible target to achieve, but commendably they do make ten

The tight schedule means that Sophie Nelson, leader of “Sophie’s Pigeon’s”, has been asked not to talk between songs. Something similar to Canute and tides comes to mind in trying to rationalise that, but she does kept things to a minimum in this abridged set. For a special occasion there’s a special opening song, one that has never been played before, and I still don’t know the title, but is likely to appear on the debut album due “Sometime in 2010 after being re-written 5 times.” Based heavily on the keyboard of Sophie’s plus the drums of Phil Sykes, they introduce the sax playing of Becky Davies and harmonies of Samantha Stockdale to judicious effect. It’s Sophie who is a bundle of nervous energy though, with so much to do and so little time to do it.

At times it becomes a bit of a personal overspill as she tries to get into the rhythm of her own numbers, leading to at least one restart which is handled in the “well if you can’t do anything about it just laugh” manner

The last two numbers are vibrant, bouncalong musical translations of this energy which literally get the crowd off their backside and, if not dancing, at least shaking a few limbs along

If to leave them wanting more is the way to finish a set, then the Pigeons have certainly done that

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The single hits record store / iTunes etc on Monday 17th August, just prior to the band’s debut main stage Reading / Leeds performances, and comes backed with an array of (even if we do say so ourselves) particularly awesome remixes… namely three slabs of drum’n'bass from The Qemists, Hospital Records’ Mistabishi, and Enter Shikari’s own Rout, plus a pop electro mix from teenage Kent duo Lightsgoblue.

Starting the proceedings are Apples (great name surely its been taken!…) great uplifting melodies, thumping bass, fun times! and was there a sax playing I heard when I went to the bar?, not signed yet but only a matter of time…

Fanfarlo up next, quirky folky anthemic pop - coming to a festival near you, did someone say nu-crusty not me I loved em!

Headliners Passion Pits electronic soulful melodies ring out for all at the vibe bar and the crowd laps it up. Singer Angelakos has an amazing voice and we were captivated throughout, mesmerizing . Please buy their debut album Manners you will not be disappointed. Tremendous, what a night!!!!

First off - big thanks to the Scream Promotions team who are doing a stellar job with organising this year’s festival!

July 3rd marked my second time photographing Mr Penate live so it was great to finally hear his new material in person. Having decided to forgo his usual attire of striped tops, Jack came onstage with a grin and a striking black and white jacket - which he soon had to take off due to his ever enthused dance moves (which left him in all black attire, oddly though not offensively reminiscent of Danny from Grease….)

For me the beauty of the set list that he and his band performed was that the new material was performed with such heartfelt glee and then was followed by a hit from his debut album Matinee - much to the delight of his long-standing fans. The excitement was palpable when the opening chords from the likes of “Torn on the Platform”, “Spit at Stars” and “Have I Been A Fool?” kicked up.

Kid Harpoon even popped up for a cameo performance with Jack which was a great surprise!

The lead-up to the first single that was released from the new album “Tonight’s Today” started with some vaguely tribal beats (which truth be told left me a bit baffled as I didn’t immediately recognise which track was about to hit our ears!) So it was great the see the crowd jump and dance as the track got into full swing. Jack modestly thanked the fans for their support and seemed touched that they knew the words to his new album.

I’d wish him all the best for the year but I’m pretty sure he’s steered clear of that awkward ’second album’ cliche and is going to continue moving and shaking his way from strength to strength through 2009 and beyond.

PS - His ladyfriend was asking where the VIP area was and seemed a bit irked to be told there wasn’t one per se….