Gig Review: Nick Mulvey, Albert Hall - Manchester, 23rd March 2015

On a Monday night you don't want the smell of vomit, you obviously don't want that smell on any night, however, on a Monday somehow it seems worse. The fact I was at the Albert Hall and could smell vomit was just a clear sign that an eager 15 yr old had drunk a bit too much Carling for one night and at £4 a can had probably spent a bit too much pocket money too. Thankfully one of the poor staff came to clear it up and soon bleach filled our nostrils instead.

Vomit aside, the Albert Hall (as I have mentioned before) is my favourite gig venue in Manchester, this time I had what I think is the prime spot - the balcony directly facing the stage, it provided the perfect view of the whole place and straight in my eyeline stood 30 year old Mulvey.  Originally part of Portico Quartet until 2011 when he started his solo career - Nick Mulvey is an exceptionally talented guitar player, even non-fans couldn't argue with that, it just so happens he is a talented lyricist and vocalist too.

There are a few acoustic male solo artists around that he made be compared to such as Ben Howard or Jose Gonzalez and there are similarities, however, this is mainly just because he's a guy with a guitar, his songs are still distinct and his vocals different from any other he may be compared with.

His 'Fever to the Form' EP is what got me hooked in and when I first heard his track 'Nitrous' on 6Music last year I loved it, especially because it sampled Olive - 'You're not alone', since then he has released his album 'First Mind', which received a Mercury nomination and has seen him confirm his place in the UK charts as well as approval by the music people of the UK.

Live, I can assure you he's truly brilliant, his set gave me the warm and fuzzy feeling that only brilliant live music can give me, there was so much emotion and passion in each song, on stage with his live band it made the whole hall come alive, but on his own, spotlight shining, just his soulful voice and classic guitar, he produced a wave of chills. Hearing the crowd singing back to him, was almost choir-like and made it even more special. His cover of Drake's 'I'm coming home' was a nice surprise, nevertheless, my favourite performances came with 'Fever to the Form', 'First Mind' and most of all 'I don't want to go home' - a song that tells a tale of love at Glastonbury.

I really do think the Albert Hall makes any artist and any gig seem a hundred times better, but Nick Mulvey made me fall in love with the place even more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb-DPlFGfbg

Records on Repeat

Chromatics - I can never be myself when you're around

https://soundcloud.com/johnnyjewel/chromatics-i-can-never-be-myself-when-youre-around

electro pop, messy synths, echoing and breathy vocals - memersing.


Jenny Hval - That battle is over

https://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/jenny-hval-that-battle-is-over

Showing something so simple can be so powerful. Slightly Moloko-esque but slower and weirder.


Major Lazer - Lean On
(feat: MO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9AQoI7mYU&t=109

More great female vocals on this party dance track, get yourself in the groove.

Records on Repeat

There's always a bit of bias here and there in life and sometimes there can be bias in music too; so, it may seem when I recommend this EP that that's all it is - bias...It most definitely isn't. These songs may be written and produced by someone that's pretty important to me, but, that doesn't alter the fact that they are wonderful:

http://paulchester.bandcamp.com/releases

'Sirens, Swimming' is my number one. 

And what's even better is that you can actually download them for free. Give your ears a treat..x