Brit Music Scene

The Feeling Live In Manchester Gig Review | Academy 1 - March 13th 2008

by Dave Parrack on March 15th, 2008

The Feeling are a band who are never going to be cool, never going to get on the cover of NME, and never going to be the next big thing.

But you know what? None of that matters, as they put out some incredibly well written, and well composed pop songs, and after seeing them live, I know they’re fantastic in the flesh too. I’d even go as far to say they push Muse for title of Best Live Band in the UK right now.

This is actually the second time I’ve seen The Feeling live, the first being in the Manchester Apollo early last year, when the band were touring on the back of awesome début album Twelve Stops and Home.

This tour is their first since second album, Join With Us, was released last month, and if anything, they were even better this time around than last. I suppose that’s what touring constantly for a year does to you.

I entered the venue excited, and that excitement was paid back in full by a group at the absolute top of their game. From the moment they came on stage, the whole band had the crowd eating out their hand, with front man Dan Gillespie Sells being the main conductor of the 3,000 strong audience.

They played a blend of new and old songs, with all of them being accepted with enthusiasm by an eager crowd. Songs from Twelve Stops did get more crowd participation, purely because the fans had had longer to learn every single word. None of the newer ones failed in their delivery though.

Stand out moments were Never Be Lonely, which was sung at full volume by the whole crowd, who by being split in half by Gillespie Sells (pictured above), became a vocal accompaniment to the band.

Then after the first disappearance off stage, the band returned from stage right, walking through the crowd in full marching band regalia, complete with bass drum, to signal the start of the encore.

The Feeling are one of the most poppy acts I’ll see this year, although the Sugababes are on my gig list in a few weeks time, but they do a phenomenal job live. They’re all masters of their instruments, and didn’t put a note wrong on the night, which all perfectly accompanies Gillespie Sells awesome singing voice.

They’re different than Muse, and there’s not the flashy stage props or lighting shows, but live, as a band, they are one of, if not THE best band I have seen play in the last few years.

Next time The Feeling tour near you, do yourself a favour and grab a ticket or two. You’ll be in for a real treat.

[Photo Source: This Particular Greg at Flickr]

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POSTED IN: Concerts, Feeling, Gigs, Indie, Live, News, Pop, Reviews