Live Review: The Slow Readers Club - Albert Hall, Manchester 17/03/2023
Manchester legends in the making The Slow Readers Club return to the city’s Albert Hall for the first hometown headline in three years, and the final show of headline UK tour.
As far cities with a rich musical heritage go, Manchester may well be an obvious choice. For decades the city his spawned some of the country’s most iconic and influential bands and artists; the likes of The Smiths, Joy Division, The Stone Roses and Oasis all vying for the title of Most Iconic.
Manchester has always been a forward-thinking city as well. One that refuses to rest on its laurels and is constantly keeping its eyes on the future whilst celebrating its undeniable past. One band who will be familiar to anyone with even a passing interest in Manchester’s music scene, is The Slow Readers Club, who have succeeded in turning the heads of everyone from Pixies’ Black Francis right down to Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham.
Not to mention the 2000 people that tonight are packed into Albert Hall for the final date of their headline UK tour. Indeed, it’s been three years since The Slow Readers Club last headlined a Manchester stage, though in that time it’s clear the devotion of their fans hasn’t once wavered. If anything, it’s only become stronger.
It’s evident in the now commonplace chant of ‘Readers’ that follows the band wherever they go, and that snowballs throughout tonight’s venue as the four band members stride out onto the raised stage, each one clad in their trademark black.
Recent single ‘Modernise’ kicks proceedings off as the downstairs of the venue immediately begins to bounce in unison, while perched front and centre of the balcony, we have arguably the best view we’ve ever had at the venue. Though suffering from a slightly muddied sound, it’s an excellent way to start.
Any sound problems are soon passed off as teething issues, as ‘Fool For Your Philosophy’ sounds just as crisp as one anyone who’s seen the band before would expect. It’s a sound quality matched only by their exquisite lighting. Backlit by icy blues, bright whites and warmthless yellows, the band are often nothing more than silhouettes wreathed in smoke. A chilly aesthetic that perfectly matches their inherent despondency.
Though a tour in support of their recent album Knowledge Freedom Power, the reality is much more career-spanning than one might expect. New material such as ‘How Could You Know’ and ‘Afterlife’ punctuate the setlist at opportune moments, though the likes of ‘Plant the Seed’, ‘Forever In Your Debt’ and ‘Jericho’ still remain the heavy-hitters as far as the crowd reactions go.
It’s expected. With the recent album only released a matter of weeks ago, people are still sinking their teeth into it. It fits effortlessly into the band’s canon already, however. And it’s only a matter of time before the new material is welcomed as strongly as those more established offerings.
An impassioned outing for ‘You Opened Up My Heart’ provides possibly the evening’s most tender moment, while fan-favourite ‘Block Out the Sun’ follows and finds the entire crowd in full voice. From here on out we’re in hit territory. ‘Lay Your Troubles On Me’ provides a brief moment of respite before the crowd below us erupts into what could loosely be called the first and only mosh pit of the evening for ‘On the TV’.
That something even resembling a mosh-pit should happen at a Readers’ gig is an impressive feat in of itself. Much of the crowd here tonight is over thirty. Myself included. And quite honestly the thought alone is exhausting. That said it’s also refreshing to see. Even for those pushed up against the barrier front and centre of the stage, it’s been a long time since they were asked for ID.
This did lead to at least two pissy comments from older people when trying to find somewhere to stand earlier, however. Something which is out of character completely for a Slow Readers Club show, though unfortunately expected as bands get bigger. Still, everyone’s entitled to a pissy comment now and again. After all, it’s not our fault they only get out to a gig once or twice a year.
Back on stage, an outing of early number ‘Feet on Fire’ closes out the band’s main set. And as the lights dim and the familiar chant of “Readers” starts back up, as the band stride back onstage and launch immediately into ‘I Saw A Ghost’. It’s quintessential Readers. Melancholy and moody but not without strands of optimism running through it.
Of course, much of the optimism that can be found at a Slow Readers Club gig stems from feeling part of something special, of something bigger than yourself. And though using the word family in such context usually feels cheesy and somewhat trite, here it feels justified, and never more so than tonight.
The eponymous ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ receives the warmest response of any of tonight’s newer material; its chorus a call-to-arms that even the most fair-weather of fans in attendance could belt back at the band as if their life depended on it.
And so it falls to ‘Lunatic’ to close out the evenings proceedings. Typically dark, and harbouring an air of menace about it, it’s been a staple of the band’s shows since its release and its easy to see why. The reception it, and indeed the band get tonight as they take their trademark bow, arm in arm, is deafening. And as the band leave the stage following a quick picture of the crowd, we’re left safe in the knowledge that even if it’s another three years before their next hometown headline show. Every minute waited will be worth it.
Words by Dave Beech
Photo by Trust A Fox Photography
