Ladyhawke, Manchester Academy 2

Posted 21st May 2009 in Live Reviews, Ladyhawke by Martin Guttridge-Hewitt | Manchester Academy 2 |

After being moved to a larger space within the multi-venue Academy, thanks presumably to ticket sales, it goes without saying that expectations are pretty high as Pip Brown and band take to the stage. Kicking off with 'Magic' there are alarm bells ringing to the tune of "is it supposed to be like that", thanks to the low volume on the mic and a generally stressed sound system. Try as it might (and it really does), even hard-to-hear lyrics - a relatively important factor when watching a first and foremost vocal act - do not manage to mar the event. Before long there's pretty true to form 'Oh My' and 'Love Don't Live Here' taking the thousand or so inside to pseudo-80s flick heaven.

Unlike many of her counterparts there is something immediately approachable, shy even, about Brown's onstage persona. In direct contrast to the Everest-sized tunes following each meek introduction, the retro-electro princess is free of pretence, making time to thank the lighting man. The big-room rave synths of 'Danny & Jenny' mark the only moment away from last year's debut, rolling into the perfect live groove to entice many and distance few.

From the hands in the air during 'Back Of The Van', to the (surprisingly) rocky moments exemplified in 'Paris Is Burning' and the closing cover of Patti Smith's 'Free Money', it's hard to believe that just over a year ago the name was really only synonymous with the classic 80s movie. Enjoyable enough to not leave livid about sound levels.

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