Metronomy at Manchester Academy review, setlist and…

Metronomy at Manchester Academy review, setlist and photos

Metronomy certainly knew how to get the crowd onside during their return to Manchester.

The band played Manchester Academy on Thursday evening with their tour supporting latest album Small World - released in February. During the show, frontman Joseph Mount cheekily declared: “How nice it is to be back in Manchester and, trust me, I didn’t say that in Liverpool.”

Of course, this was met by the expected cheers. And, as Metronomy’s song The Bay, surprisingly played early in the set, goes: “This isn't Paris, and this isn't London, and it's not Berlin, and it's not Hong Kong, not Tokyo.” This is Manchester, we do things differently here - as Mr Wilson's old adage goes. Clearly, something which rings true for Metronomy.

Ahead of this tour, the band claimed to be at their live performance peak and it is hard to dispute that. Confidence is clearly brimming so much so they were comfortable expertly dispatching fan favourites Corinne and Reservoir, alongside the aforementioned The Bay, early doors.

Unlike many of their peers, Metronomy have never been a band to be pigeon holed and during their Academy gig it was evident how at ease they are doing their own thing. Little facets, such as singer Mount spending most of the show positioned away from the centre of the stage, them happily performing a number of songs with no vocals and the frequent occasions where drummer Anna Prior would take the lead express just some of their unique qualities.

Prior alongside bass player Olugbenga Adelekan were very impressive. They both got huge cheers when Metronomy took their bow at the end of the evening.

It is so apparent how important each and every gig is to the band with Mount describing Manchester as ‘the best place in the universe’ on Thursday evening. Of the newer offerings from the Devon band, formed way back in 1999, Right On Time was very well-received.

It preceded Metronomy calling card The Look which got everyone dancing at the electronic pop rave. The set concluded with The Upsetter before Metronomy’s three-song encore sent the masses out on to Oxford Road still dancing away.

Metronomy will be returning to the region this summer when they play Bluedot Festival alongside Bjork and Groove Armada. Bluedot will be happening at Jordell Bank Observatory between Friday, July 22 and Sunday, July 24.