When it comes to The Horrors, it’s just as easy to dwell on the band’s controversial nature as it is their music. Seeing as it's all well documented we’ll just brush past it and in doing so focus on what was a brilliant live performance.
The band have ventured off into brave new worlds with 2nd LP Primary Colours, moving with gusto away from their garage punk roots and swanning into realms more akin to Nick Cave, Joy Division and The Human League.
The subterranean setting of Manchester’s Ruby Lounge couldn’t be more suited to their vampiric, hungover look. As they glide into ‘Mirror’s Image’ Farris Badwan flies forward, intending to drag the bewildered onlookers into his strange experimental world.
In keeping with the 2nd album, ‘Three Decades’ is next and catapults the rollercoaster down deeper, picking up torque in the process.
‘Sheena Is A Parasite’ and ‘Count In Fives’ also rear their spiky heads, appeasing those who’ve appreciated The Horrors open-minded approach to music since 1st LP Strange House.
‘Who Can Say’ is definitely the highlight of the evening. Farris’ ominous poise really brings the song to life. He utters “then I kissed her, with a kiss that could only mean goodbye” with a conviction that adds real authority to his words.
‘Sea Within A Sea’ gets a great response from a crowd who are so drenched with sweat they look as if they themselves have been for a dip with Ariel and chums. The bass line ushers the audience along as Farris’ vocals haunt their ears.
The song is very introspective. “Some say we walk alone” laments Farris, describing how he and his band “march into the sea” whilst others “stay firmly rooted in the shallows”.
The Horrors have definitely put themselves ahead of the curve with their 2nd album. Tonight’s performance demonstrates that the transition from studio to stage will be a seamless one. So let’s forget about all the accoutrement that comes with the band and focus on their music, because it definitely warrants acclaim.
4 out of 5
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