Goldfrapp – The Bridgwater Hall, Manchester 23/06/2008

by Edgar Allan McAbe

We do like a bit of Goldfrapp in our house and since the new album came out (see my review here…) it’s been one of my favourites to listen to on the bus to work. However, The Bridgwater Hall in Manchester seems to be a strange venue for an Electro-disco band like Goldfrapp. Non-the-less, me decided it would just be plain rude not to go…

Now after Mr M* stood me up an hour before the gig (that’s the third time now you swine) we thought we’d get an early seat, check the place out. I’ve been to the Bridgwater Hall twice before, once for a gig – Nick Cave and a couple of the Bad Seeds doing a quiet acoustic set – the other to see the original, silent ‘Phantom of the Opera’ with a live orchestra (That’s the kind of venue The Bridgwater Hall is). On both of these occasions I’ve been surprised by the venue, and really enjoyed the show.

The stage was set up like a scene from the Wickerman, with Pagan-styled deer’s head atop a may pole, wicker back panels and the band all wearing flowing white shirts. Alison Goldfrapp herself (seeming to wear less and less clothes whenever I see her – which is a good thing) came on stage wearing a one piece billowing white dress and barefoot, like some sacrifice to the Pagan Demigods of Pop.

But something just didn’t seem to work at the venue for Goldfrapp. Perhaps it was the really shit seats I’d managed to get my hands on (Don’t worry Mr M*, you wouldn’t have seen much) but it really seemed to lack atmosphere. Now ‘Seventh Tree’, their new album, is a much slower, more folk orientated piece – which perhaps explains the choice of the Hall in the fire place. They played this album literally in its entirety, which is always nice, but with the older more up-beat, Electro, crowd-pleasers. This just didn’t seem to work for me. Don’t get me wrong, the people down at the front were seemed to really enjoy the show. Whether this was due to the performance of the fact the could see right up Alison Goldfrapp’s dress I’ll never know…

I really like a good Goldfrapp Concert – and I’ve been to a few now – but this wasn’t the best. I don’t think it was down to the music, which was perfect, entertaining and just how I’d like it to be played (Little Bird was great, a real favourite of mine of the album). I just don’t think the Bridgwater Hall was the right venue.

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Goldfrapp – The Bridgwater Hall, Manchester 23/06/2008

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