Fucked Up Generation
Blackfield return to Manchester in support of their third album ('Welcome to My DNA') and they get a big crowd in the Academy 2. The collaboration between Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and Aviv Geffen (Israeli popstar!) has spawned three albums of dark melancholy indie that offer something a little different and refreshing from the norm. The audience is primarily male and 30+ and judging by the number of Porcupine Tree tshirts there are probably a good few here checking the band out on the strength of Steven Wilson's involvement.
As they take the stage there are smiles all round as Geffen sports a jacket with rows of red lights down the front and sleeves. His enthusiasm is plain for all to see, bounding over to his side of the stage and grinning as he acknowledges the crowd. Wilson's entrance is a little more reserved but then he's never been one to exhibit overt excitement. It's a misconception to think that all of Blackfield's material is shoegazing indie; there are plenty of upbeat moments and big riffs that at times verge on Porcupine Tree territory and set opener 'Blood' is one such track. As you might expect with such a perfectionist as Wilson on board the sound is excellent, every instrument is distinct and the vocal levels just right.
They play much of the new album ('Welcome to my DNA') and it blends in with the older songs perfectly, from the uplifting melody of 'Glass House' to the hypnotic rhythm of 'Go to Hell' and the uplifting chorus of 'On the Plane'. It's a tight and assured performance and the band really seem to get into it. The crowd however are largely inanimate and although the applause between songs is warm they don't offer much beyond that. Whether that's because they don't know the new material (or indeed any of the material) it's hard to tell but the performance of the band warranted more from them. Wilson broods around on the stage, delivering polished vocals and simple lead guitar licks whilst exchanging glances with Geffen who clearly revels in his role. The on stage banter is relaxed and low key but that creates a warm and intimate atmosphere that makes Blackfield hard not to like.
The short nature of most of the songs means that they can cram plenty into the set, Wilson commenting that he is not used to playing 17 songs before the encore "maybe 2 or 3 by now". The encore leads up to the band's signature tune, the excellent 'Cloudy Now' and it would have been a perfect end to the set were it not for the fact that Wilson fucks it up, getting the lyrics wrong not once but two or three times! The band is so relaxed by this point though that they take it all in good humour. It ensures that the set finishes on a high and there is precious little to complain about; a really good set and a fine performance that never failed to hold the interest.