Manchester Orchestra

Manchester Orchestra with John Ralston, All Get Out
Orpheum; January 26, 2008

Some enjoyed the activities of Gasperilla by decorating themselves in cheap, plastic beads and pirate garb while stumbling through the lively streets of Ybor City. Then there were those who seated themselves in the drizzling weather along the brick perimeter of the Orpheum, anticipating the long-awaited Manchester Orchestra.
Quite a number of people decided to do the latter, making for a sold-out show in the cozy bar.
Opening for Manchester Orchestra was the up-and-coming folk inspired indie band, All Get Out. John Ralston and his band, including a violinist, played second.
Manchester Orchestra’s set then began with singer Andy Hull singing in minor scales alone on stage, a precursor to how moving the show would turn out to be. The music ranged from a softer feel to a more energetic indie rock. Manchester ‘s lyrics were powerful, spiritual connotations and all, invoking an array of passions. Every bit of the set conveyed overwhelming emotion, even to the point of audience members crying. I could have sworn that I saw a tear or two leak from the corner of Hull’s eyes during “Colly Strings.” Or, maybe it was just sweat. Either way, it sure fooled my blurry eyes.
They played music from their 2005 EP, You Brainstorm, But Brilliance Needs A Good Editor, and their 2006 album, I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child. This included “Alice and Interiors,” which Hull described as “two Woody Allen movies fighting.”
It was an interactive concert. The audience sang along with most all the songs, and even finished off Manchester’s lyrics to “Golden Ticket.” The voices of the crowd sounded throughout the bar as nearly everyone’s lips moved to, “Well am I really that old, ignorant or to slow/To realize I have lost my golden ticket back home?”
Manchester finished up the set with “Wolves at Night.” The last noises of the song were the sounds of Hull’s heavy breathing into the microphone and my heartbeat. Deciding openly to skip the whole encore charade, Hull sang one last minor keyed song alone on stage.

Published in REAX Music Magazine Online