Brighton’s William Phillips AKA ‘Tourist’ known for emotive club and euphoric electronics similar to that of Caribou and James Blake. Tourist is a Grammy award-winning songwriter/producer for his work on Sam Smiths ‘Stay with Me’
Phillips is promoting his first album “U” released 6th May 2016, which has been two years in the making following on from a number of impressive EP’s such as “Patterns” and “Tonight”, and tonight he is in Manchester playing to a jam packed wonderful music venue, Deaf Institute.
Phillips who often performs live with keyboard and drum pads has a simpler set up for the more intimate stage of the Deaf Institute. His decks are the centre piece in the middle of an imposing crescent of vertical strobe lights. The lights are dimmed with a chilled out piano backtrack as the crowd anticipate Phillips’ arrival.
A green glow outlines Phillips silhouette as he makes his way onto the stage to a rapturous applause.
He evolves the backing music into more familiar electronics and synths sounds that the crowd are all so familiar with. Phillips is full of energy tonight, as he moves to the beats of his tracks, each big beat sending vibrations through the music hall floor; the crowd are fixated on the outline of his sweat drenched fringe which exaggerates his every move.
We are just a few tracks into the set before he acknowledges the crowd, as he takes a step back from his decks to give everyone a wave. “How you doing Manchester, so nice to be back, thanks for coming.”
Phillips has his head back in the decks for the less know tracks from his new album, cocooned within flashes of light; it’s a perfect fitting backdrop for the mood. The venue is alive as the tone moves toward jungle beats for the much darker ‘Separate Ways’ he soaks up the applause as he sips his water then back into it, banging out his impressive back catalogue.
He waves to the crowd, again. “How’s everyone doing? Last time I was in Manchester was Parklife” which was back in June 2015 where Tourist and accomplice Danny opened up the ‘Now Wave’ tent to an even smaller crowd than tonight’s.
There’s a moment of Silence before the stage bursts to life when he plays “Patterns” from his 2014 EP featuring Lianna La Havvas. Philips doesn’t step off the gas ending with the title track of the new Album ‘U’ the crowd are absolutely loving it.
“I’ve got one more song”
Phillips wastes no time getting into “Run” a massive feel good track off the new album. We can see this one being a huge hit in Ibiza this summer. The crowd are in full flow ready for more, the Deaf Institute is a vibrate rave on this fine Tuesday evening. Tourist exits the stage.
He returns for the finale. Ending tonight’s set with stylish track from EP “Patterns” ‘I Can’t Keep Up’ featuring Will Heard. “Thank you so much for coming, really appreciate it”
This young multi-talented and highly underrated William Phillips / Tourist is building himself a good fan base as he prepares for a world tour.
