As they come to the end of their UK tour the West London boys White Lies return to Manchester’s beautiful Albert Hall, for the second time around this year following their ‘early headline’ slot at this year’s debut festival Neighbourhood, where we had a sneak preview of their new material live. It has been three years from releasing their successful album ‘Big TV’ the band are now back with their fourth ‘Friends’.
Band members; lead vocalist and guitarist Harry McVeigh, bassist Charles Cave and drummer Jack Lawrence-Brown, all excited for tonight’s gig, earlier tweeting “Yes Manchester Albert Hall. Just YES! We always love playing here. So much fun”
White Lies take to the stage, they open up with ‘Take It Out on Me’ also opener and first realise from ‘Friends’. Two of their most popular tracks come early on in the gig and cause high emotions among the die-hard fans, a sea of arms in the air for much loved track ‘There Goes Our Love Again’ and the words to ‘To Lose My Life’ are bellowed back by the packed out crowd.
“So good to be here on a Friday! We always feel the love in Manchester”
The trio are joined on stage tonight by extra musician’s keyboard and guitarist making them a strong five piece. They deliver hits new and old all well received by fans. The goth infected indie-rock group’s new material is distinctly more electronic than their earlier hits. The sound is crisp and the performance is tight.
Mid set is highlight so far, everyone’s favourite ‘Farewell to the Fairground’ McVeigh’s deep soaring vocals during the track’s air punching chorus has fans craving for more.
“After being away for three years we didn’t know what to expect and then we saw that Manchester sold out! This song is for you Manchester”
They play us ‘Death’ which still sounds as fresh tonight as it did when it was released in 2009. The Albert Hall is bouncing and every single person in the hall’s horseshoe gallery is singing along. The band leave the stage for the encore. The crowd are chanting “Keep on running, just keep on running…” for the band to return, and so they do.
The up lifting mood is continued through to the encore when they play title track ‘Big TV’ followed by new track ‘Come On’. Last track is ‘Bigger Than Us’ which sums up the overall impression of the night both musically and lyrically. It was a “truly special night” for White Lies as it was for the fans. If you missed this Manchester gig the boys are heading back on the road in 2017 and they have just announced a date in Preston.
SETLIST
1 Take It Out on Me
2 There Goes Our Love Again
3 To Lose My Life
4 Hold Back Your Love
5 Unfinished Business
6 The Price of Love
7 Farewell to the Fairground
8 Morning in LA
9 Is My Love Enough
10 Getting Even
11 Streetlights
12 A Place to Hide
13 Don’t Want to Feel it All
14 Death
ENCORE
15 Big TV
16 Come On
17 Bigger Than Us
