The Departure - with support from Alterkicks - Manchester Academy 3 - Live Review

The Departure

The Departure - with support from Alterkicks - Manchester Academy 3 - Live Review
The Departure - with support from Alterkicks - Manchester Academy 3 - Live Review
The Departure with support from Alterkicks
Manchester Academy 3
Tuesday 5th April 2005

The key to the captivating nature of devilishly tuneful quintet; Alterkicks was the powerful and commanding voice of Martin Stilwell that pivots between the provocative powerfulness of Johnny Borrel and the soaring nature of Matt Bellamy. 'The Diner' saw Stilwell earnestly wet appetites for the palatable indie rock and roll proffered by these five accomplished Liverpool based musicians, but showing that not everyone in that city sits around listening to The Zutons. The deviously dark titled 'The Cannibal Hiking Disaster' was a well received friendly warning about a particular outdoor pursuit, delivered via ingratiatingly rambling

vocals. Debut single 'Do Everything I Taught You', an ode to not having a clue about what you want do struck a chord with some of the bemused students gathered and was the high point of a bubbly set.

The scattered crowd soon grew to close knit realms, as the expectant fans or curious rockers streamed through the door to get settled in their spot ready for the highly exciting electro-rock outfit and new romantic style quintet The Departure. Following in the footsteps of sound-mates The Killers or The Bravery, or for the older and more nostalgic fans, The Smiths or The Human League, the band wowed the intimate Academy 3 venue with strong electro-keyboard sounds, new romantic style vocals, and heartfelt sentiment.

Memorable release "Be My Enemy" set off the buzz with it's rasping guitars and downright raw and catchy chorus instantly striking a chord with the awe inspired crowd. Fellow single from the Northampton band, "All Mapped Out," mirrored the bands passionate opener, also oozing personal feeling and instrumental parts to send electric shocks around each and every crowd member. The feeling instilled into the meaningful "Only Human," and romantic "Arms Around Me" roused the audience, proving the band are not just about making eighties tinged music, but expressing deep feelings, infiltrating a crowd with excitement, and for those that experienced the eighties, nostalgia, without the need for legwarmers.

The rousing "Dirty Words" rounded off a night of nostalgia, dark sounds, intimate songs, and a performance full of passion and confidence, and the band certainly proved they could do variety.

http://www.thedeparture.co.uk

Katherine Tomlinson and David Adair

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