What springs to mind when you think of gig venues? Old converted cinemas, huge arenas, maybe even your local pub or ‘toilet’ venue. These would be common responses but lately promoters have become a bit more adventurous. Over recent weeks I’ve seen a gig in a closed off road tunnel and a gig in a fully operational Methodist church. Tonight I’m in Manchester Cathedral and if you want proof that religion isn’t on the decline – this is it. It’s packed. The Dean has dusted down the sold out sign and welcomed Manchester’s indie disciples in from the cold for the visit of Kendal’s finest. No, not mint cake, the Wild Beasts are in town.
Pre gig chat is primarily focused on whether or not there’ll be a bar. Do cathedrals have bars? To be honest I’m not much of a church goer but I’m pretty sure they don’t have bars. Whilst outside the entrance all fears are allayed as a jubilant voice from the front of the queue shouts, “thank God, they’ve got a bar!”
The secret to a cathedral gig is to arrive early. Unless you fancy spending 90 minutes staring at a 600 year old pillar you really should get there early. Don’t get me wrong, as pillars go, it’s a nice pillar but I very much doubt anyone inside Manchester Cathedral tonight has come along to look at a pillar. No, tonight we’re all here to see what has in the past been described as falsetto rock. Don’t panic. Not The Darkness falsetto rock. This is proper falsetto rock. These Wild Beasts can sing. OK, so for some people it might be a little over the top – a little too, shall we say falsettoey. I will admit to being slightly unsure after first encountering the sound of this four piece but give this band a chance and you’ll be rewarded. Give this band a cathedral and their sound comes to life. The haunting, and quite frankly jaw dropping vocals of Hayden Thorpe and Tom Fleming along with tonight’s bass heavy sound bounced, reverberated and at times really did thud around the grand old building. During set opener, ‘Plaything’, rubble from the cathedral roof began to sprinkle over the audience. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t meant to be part of the show. Unperturbed the Beasts surged on playing a mixture of tracks from their back catalogue. The best reception reserved for tunes from second album ‘Two Dancers’ and Mary and Joseph could even be seen boogying in a stain glass window to the infectious groove of ‘Hooting & Howling’. The Wild Beasts have rapidly produced three critically acclaimed records and to their credit have stuck with that unique sound but still remain fresh and exciting and well, different. The boys from Kendal are offering an alternative to your bog standard indie rock ‘n’ roll and long may it continue.
During a three song encore including crowd favourite ‘All the King’s Men’ I come to the conclusion that a cathedral makes for quite a venue. On tonight’s evidence the perfect venue for falsetto rock. Just a couple of things though. They could do with a few more portaloos and I’d suggest getting someone in to take a look at that roof. As the triumphant Wild Beasts leave the stage to rapturous applause the cathedral bells ring out for last orders at the bar. I really should start going to church more.