It was handled well, and the tune itself is pleasant enough. But compared to their current material it seemed a dusty anachronism.
The band’s recent sophomore record, The First Days Of Spring, features a switch from slightly twee acoustic folk to electric guitars and heartbroken indie, while also serving as a concept album about vocalist Charlie Fink’s relationship break-up. Thankfully, the fact the album was not reproduced in order live did not harm the songs, with Blue Skies a fragile, low-key opener.
Fink himself appears a delicate individual in need of a hug at the best of times, although judging by the occasional squeals from the teenage following near the front some audience members had lustier ideas for him. The quality of his voice is impressive, though, and surprisingly seems to work better now that it is backed by a far louder, beefier sound which filled Oran Mor’s converted church well, even if the small stage did leave the group, now expanded to a quintet, close to tripping over each other.
While melancholy was elegantly laced throughout the show, such as on the achingly bittersweet I Have Nothing, there was plenty of new-found power on display too, particularly in the way the guitar-driven conclusion of Stranger soared in a manner not unlike Snow Patrol.
Most stimulating of all was the manner in which My Broken Heart increased its volume levels to a fearsome level. It was an authoritative final stamp on a show that illustrated just how far Noah And The Whale have already progressed. Their next step will be a tantalising prospect.
Star rating: ****
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