Live Review

The Weakerthans – Academy 3, Manchester

• 28th Nov 2007

I feel slightly sorry for Jim Bryson. The small bunch of people he opens up to is receptive, but because there are so few people present the noise of his guitar seems to reverberate around the Academy 3 a little too much. He talks too much – having to restart the synth section of a song three times before he shut up got slightly irritating, and after the wrap-around harmonica appeared the phrase “one-man-band” came to mind – and not in a complimentary fashion. Bryson’s songs are OK, his voice is OK, his banter is OK – but that’s part of the problem. The man has no spark, which is why his entire set is mediocre, rather than special.

House of Parish have a lot to live up to – their bass player is already famous (and comes on to stage to a far bigger cheer than anybody else in the band), but they cope with it well. After a slightly shaky start, where nobody seemed to be in quite the same time as anybody else, the group settles into their flow, and the songs that follow are well executed and it is easy to see a future for them as a much larger band.

The Weakerthans are fantastic. Their incredibly relaxed attitude brings the whole room down a notch in hysteria (hysteria being the perfect word to describe their reception) but up a notch in happiness. Sometimes all you need is happy music – and at those times the Weakerthans are perfect. They instantly gel on stage and are wonderful to watch – every member is clearly enjoying his job and is both reacting with the others yet staying completely engrossed in the music. The set moves easily and gracefully from slower songs to the more upbeat, my personal favourite being Son in an Empty Room. This song in particular showcases this band’s appeal – it has everything. A catchy chorus, emotive lyrics and well written melodies. By the end of an incredible hour and a half set I feel completely relaxed, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself and I’m definitely planning on purchasing the whole Weakerthans back catalogue.

What confuses me is to why so few people seem to know how bloody brilliant these men are at what they are doing – simple, uncomplicated, happy, catchy songs. Whatever genre of music you are into – take time to enjoy the Weakerthans, because they are impossible to dislike.

picture: Dan Moni