Large Manchester

The Guillemots

Fyfe Dangerfield and his eccentric Guillemots rabble take to the stage on the second date of a series of national secret shows to promote their third album ‘Walk the River’. The expectant crowd has gathered after only being told of the gig’s location at lunch time. It’s a clever marketing trick...building the suspension.

The band burst the cobwebs from Band on the Wall’s corners with their dancey new single ‘The Basket’. It’s already a hit and one that stands out from the night’s fairly beige offerings. New songs like’ I Don’t Feel Amazing Now’ see Fyfe impersonating Michael Stipe but fails to engage the audience.

Slow melancholic tunes don’t suit The Guillemots, they’re best known for their perky hits like ‘Trains to Brazil’, ‘We're Here’, ‘Annie, Let's Not Wait’ and ‘Get Over It’ and are best when they’re acting silly.

As the orchestral beats of ‘Trains to Brazil’ kick in everyone is left wondering why The Guillemots have suddenly become so serious.

Fyfe is an engaging host he jokes with the crowd between songs and throws money into the crowd whilst being begged to play in Ireland by a crazed fan.

The band’s ghostly sounds, Fyfe’s clear vocals and their catchy back catalogue will always make them a festival favourite. On the strength of their new material I’m hesitant to recommend their new album as an essential purchase.

The Guillemots are back in Manchester on 30 May for the Dot To Dot Festival.

Their new album ‘Walk the River’ is out now.

www.myspace.com/guillemotsmusic