Venue:
Albert Hall, Manchester
Date: 30/04/2015
For people who like music from the other side of the pond (won’t use the a*******a word) there is no doubt that Calexico are up there in terms of popularity yet their tours in this country are often short and appear almost as an afterthought to their main far of Northern Europe. They seem to have a large following in the Low Countries and Germany. So last night was an exciting date in my calendar as the last time I saw them was around 10 years ago in Los Angeles where they were workmanlike. In Manchester it was clear that they meant business from the off with Falling from the Sky and Cumbia de Donde from the new album being early highlights in a set that had high energy. Most Calexico followers love the Mariachi trumpets and they were to the fore in many numbers. However there was light and shade and a highlight was a number with just Joey Burns, John Convertino and bassist Ryan Alfred that Joey Burns said he enjoyed playing – I certainly enjoyed hearing. Setlist watchers would know that on this tour they have played Love will tear us apart on a number of occasions. Conversations before the show agreed that as they were in Manchester they would certainly play it. How wrong were we? Instead we got Bigmouth strikes again which had the locals besides themselves and a cue for some idiot dancing among the excited throng. However the best was saved for last – a spine tingling cover of the song War Machine by Bill fay from his album released this week. A memorable show that will linger long in the memory.
The audience:
The crowd were largely very good and gave the band a level of energy that made for a great night. However we had the obligatory butters in front of us including a very eccentric lady who appeared to be a retired pole dancer. In the interval she bent over to pick up a drink and put her derriere as close to my face as possible without getting arrested for public indecency.b I just didn’t know where to put myself. It was a little surreal.
It made me think..
Gigs like this are to be treasured. A strange venue but very charming. Also great company from Heather and Mike. I have lost count of the number of nice people I have met through this site. It is a wonder.
I wish we could have got a photo of the pole dancing lady with the purple hair shoving her derriere in your face, Steve, it was quite a sight!
What a fabulous band they are and how come they are not more widely known? I for one will keep spreading the good news about Calexico.
It was great to meet you and El Toro. Must do it again.
This review goes, less the paragraphing: …she bent over to pick up a drink and put her derriere as close to my face as possible without getting arrested for public indecency. I just didn’t know where to put myself. It was a little surreal. It made me think…. gigs like this are to be treasured.
Top tunes plus womanly garden gates? A perfect evening!
“I just didn’t know where to put myself”…..
I beg to differ. You knew exactly!
And Mike, as I’d retired a row further back I had a great view of the coming together of face/derrière. Unfortunately I couldn’t get my phone out quick enough and the moment was lost forever.
Back to Calexico…..can only be described as stunningly good. The tracks on the new album that I’d thought were a little so so sounded great live. The back catalogue was mined to perfection.
Mention too of support act the Barr Brothers. A similar rootsy feel to Calexico but more African tinged than Mexican.
Finally, a word on the audience. Massively enthusiastic, even for the Barr Brothers. Are Manc crowds always that supportive or was last night an exception. Made for a fantastic atmosphere.
I think the reaction was because The Barr Brothers were exceptionally good – I’d happily see them again. Been listening to them in the car today and I like them a lot.
Likewise……and, if anything, the first album is even better.
I went to see Calexico at the Philly in the Pool last night and it was a fantastic show. I agree with everything said above by Mike, Steve and el toro. The crowd were fab, it was Liverpool! When Calexico did Love`s `Alone Again Or` the crowd went bonkers, I thought the late great Arthur Lee had appeared. The cover of Bill Fay`s `War Machine` was tremendous, beautiful, moving. It was the first time I have seen Calexico, won`t be the last.
The support, The Barr Brothers were one of the best `unknown` (to me) support acts I have ever seen, I`ve just ordered both their albums, so enough said.
Oh Steve, I bet you were waiting for that `moment` to arrive! ; ))
Bugger, you got Crystal Frontier too – Heather tweeted requesting that the night before. She will be disappointed.
Assuming I’ve done it right this should be something gorgeous from the Barr Brothers…..
Baron, I bought both of their albums on the night. You won’t be disappointed.
Here’s the final encore – Bill Fay’s The War Machine