ItÔÇÖs been 3 years since Manchester Orchestra have hopped across the pond, and the excitement is palpable in the sold out crowd packed into the Fleece for tonight, the first show of their tour promoting new album ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖ. The Fleece is a curious venue, with its metal struts jutting up from ground to ceiling at every few metres, and to begin with you wonder how the bandÔÇÖs widescreen sound can be contained by the modest sized room.
Self described ÔÇ£emotional-ass concept rockÔÇØ band Gang of Youths are a good fit as openers, with a style not a million miles from the headliners, albeit a slightly mellower feel. Songs that are carried by buoyant bass lines leave ample room for soulful group vocals and occasional keyboard flourishes. On tonightÔÇÖs performance, you expect the Australians will be back on a headline tour sooner than later.
Walking purposefully onstage as the lights go down, Manchester Orchestra dispel jitters with a performance of ÔÇÿShake It OutÔÇÖ that reverberates through the room, the dual guitar assault of Andy Hull and Robert McDowell topped only by HullÔÇÖs howling vocals. From this point on the Georgia five-piece have the sold-out throng under their spell, aided by a stellar mix from the sound engineers. Fans join in raucously when needed, as on the boozy refrain of crowd-favourite ÔÇÿPensacolaÔÇÖ, but allow for emotional tension to build during a swelling performance of early track ÔÇÿColly StringsÔÇÖ. Hull loosens up a few songs in and engages in some playful chit chat with the audience, namely a debate on whether ÔÇ£EverybodyÔÇÖs the same size when theyÔÇÖre lying down.ÔÇØ (The band donÔÇÖt think so.)
A smattering of new tracks are played, including a ground-shaking rendition of the title track ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖ, the bands doom-riffing threatening to blow out the sound system. The main set is brought to a close with classic ÔÇÿThe RiverÔÇÖ, the impassioned vocal delivery again tugging at the heartstrings as the Orchestra reach a final crescendo.
What happens next is unexpected but probably the highlight of the set. To strains of organ from keyboardist Chris Freeman, Hull pulls out a mixed cover of Willie NelsonÔÇÖs ÔÇÿThe PartyÔÇÖs OverÔÇÖ and The Mountain Goats ÔÇÿNo ChildrenÔÇÖ. The final accapella chorus, enriched by a three-part harmony, earns first revered silence and then rapturous applause.
Explaining the lack of a ÔÇÿproperÔÇÖ encore – ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖd just be us walking off and standing in that corner and coming back on againÔÇØ – the band settle for the lighting engineer darkening the stage momentarily. Recent singles ÔÇÿTop NotchÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿEvery StoneÔÇÖ hurtle past before a few song requests are heard. ÔÇÿVirginÔÇÖ is rejected out of hand as ÔÇ£nowhere in Bristol has a baritone guitarÔÇØ, but the band agree to play ÔÇÿSimple MathÔÇÖ, sort of. ÔÇ£Luckily itÔÇÖs on the setlist anywayÔÇØ Hull murmurs. An impromptu excerpt of ÔÇÿThe Only OneÔÇÖ is the final twist of the evening, and Manchester Orchestra finish as they started, with a beautiful cacophony of guitars and cymbals.
ItÔÇÖs been long overdue, but itÔÇÖs a welcome return that whets the appetite for their autumn tour and perhaps the chance to hear a few more songs from the fantastic ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖ.