On arrival, things inside Manchester’s claustrophobic Sound Control are already getting steamy – quite literally – with people stripping off layers. We’re here to catch up with CHVRCHES, who since we last saw them at the head of their first UK tour back in February when they were merely a speck of awareness in the Mancunian mind, have been busy spreading their gospel around the UK and beyond. Singer Lauren Mayberry and crew have rapidly gained a top spot on playlists, with the recent release of EP “Recover” helping to flap more ears, and we’re back with them for the closing date in their current tour, again in Manchester, having come full circle.
This is no ordinary buzz tonight – the word is definitely out about Glasgow’s electro buzz band who came fifth in the BBC’s Sound of 2013. Even so, the crowd is quite specific – mostly young, male (unexpected), hipster-central, local band and industry members. Although UK mainstream media is still struggling slightly with how best to fully embrace this evolving trio, their fans and peers have no such problem. Having crept up and seemingly out of nowhere, Chvrches have created such intrigue that many are still playing catch-up. Within our own circle, this has fast become one of the most talked about gigs of the year.
It’s a lot to ask for a new band to impress live. Having been thrust into the buzz band realm without too many tracks under their belt, not quite yet having honed their stage performance, Lauren and co. are very much a phenomenon in the making.
Lights down and over the speakers comes opening sermon (“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”), the grungy venue now temporarily transformed into a mock digital place of worship. Thundering beats from the intro to “Lies” preludes the band’s entrance onto the low stage. Lauren takes to the mic, dressed in white t-shirt, tight black shorts, and iconic eye-makeup.
I’m well aware that those who have never met or seen Lauren perform react on first sight with an “Oh my god, she’s so cute and tiny!” – an observation which is frankly getting very old very fast. Making singing look more than a little easy, with a welcome tinge of Scottish accent, Lauren smashes many a stereotype with her power sound and *don’t even think about fucking with me just because I’m a girl* onstage attitude – a person who very much speaks her mind, I can’t wait for Lauren’s chatter in between tracks.
Eager to get hold of her trusty tambourine, she bounds to the back of the stage to rescue it, admitting that she’s something of a tambourine addict. On synth/vocals, Martin Doherty spiritedly head-bops to the pulsating “If We Sink,” while Iain Cook stays coolly aloof. We can hear a lot of chattering from the crowd behind us which is making it difficult to connect with what’s going on onstage, but the melody and vocals are strong and those at the front are captivated by the lyrics which remind us that this band enjoys a healthy mix of angst, wit and romanticism (“I’ll be the thorn in your side ‘til you die / I’ll be a thorn in your side for always”).
Pointing out that most of the band’s gigs have men in the front rows, Lauren is impressed by the Manchester crowd demographic: “It’s nice to see a mixed gender – congratulations, we are very modern!” She doesn’t let the crowd off the hook, introducing next track “Lungs” with “This song is for all women who have ever been told you can’t do something by a stupid fucking dude.”
For “Gun,” Lauren finally edges her way to the stage front away from the mic stand, at ease with this track. It’s a fantastic 80s throwback, and you can’t help feel that this would have been absolutely played to death (and still may well be) on the radio, and would have ended up on some John Hughes movie. The track is a major indication that this band is already more iconic than they themselves probably realize, and that there is so, so much more to come from them.
After “Science,” Lauren gives her impressions of Manchester (here we go…) with “Everyone seems really nice! Everyone seems normal, so good job!” which goes down well (*phew*).
With “Night Sky,” they’re really beginning to sound like a band you’d more likely find in New York. I feel very fortunate and proud that these guys are from the UK, privileged that we get to witness their beginnings.
For “Recover,” Lauren grasps her mic lead, swinging it over her shoulder (we soon discover that she’s a mic lead hog, as well as a tambourine addict), while the crowd who have been pretty tame until now start bopping to one of the few tracks they recognise.
If there’s any low point at all to the show, I’d argue it is Martin’s rendition of “Tide” – the grumbles from the crowd and energy-drop are so dramatic that I’d recommend not keeping this one in the live set. This ended up being the most talked about issue, post-gig. The electronics and melody are SO good, but the vocal execution killed it – but this is more of a compliment to Lauren’s stage presence and vocals, than a minus against Martin’s talents. One for them to think about, anyway…
The crowd is relieved to have Lauren back for “The Mother We Share” – it’s a sad song, but the lyrics allow for hope. It makes me think that there’s something very deep going on with this band – something that may not be coming across in the media hype.
In the encore, someone in the crowd shouts out to Lauren something that she (and we) can’t pick up. “I’m sorry, I don’t speak northern!” she jokingly responds, apologizing that she really couldn’t hear. They leap into Prince cover “I Would Die 4 U” which is an excellent song choice and perfect fit. On the way out, Lauren quickly apologizes for herself once again with “Manchester’s a great place!”
All in all, a storming set from a band who in all honesty are still ‘young’ and seem to have so many ideas, so much passion and energy safely bottled up ready to release over time. We’ve needed a big shake-up in the UK music scene, and Lauren Mayberry et al suggest to us that exciting times may be ahead – thankfully. Onwards to the debut album release later in the year!