WORDS BY JANET HARDING / IMAGES BY PAC PHOTOGRAPHY
Manchester is our destination tonight, back at the famed art deco treasure that is the 02 Ritz. I’m guessing that famous springy dance floor will be put to good use later, in fact I have no doubt whatsoever it will be, as tonight we go to see The Feeling – pop sensations, I just know it’s gonna be bouncing!
A favourite venue, not too big but big enough to get the full crowd experience, and very accommodating for accessibility needs etc. In the heart of a city known for its music scene, of all the venues in Manchester this is one of my personal favourites. There’s already an air of excitement tonight, and a real mixed bag of ages, which is brilliant to see at a live music event. Early doors tonight, starting at 7 with curfew at 10.
Altameda – First Support
Troy Snaterse
Tod Andrews
Matt Kraus
Erik Grice
Toronto based, 4 piece folk rock/alt indie band, Altameda, are first up tonight and are supporting The Feeling for the entire tour. Unfortunately due to trains we missed the acoustic opening of this set, but did catch the full band performance, and I’m pleased we made it in time because, trust me, it’s one hell of a set! This entire sound hits you like a freight train! It’s explosive. It’s very atmospheric, very eclectic, retro and real nostalgia fuelling. It’s such a mixture of sounds, inspiration, feels and themes but it all comes together perfectly. It goes from 60s vibes reminiscent of the Doors (particularly the Hammond sounds), a kind of 70s glam rock beat, with folk, American and indie all coming in, but an underlying blues feel. It really does make for one textured, multi dimensional and breathtaking sound. The vocal has a slight nasal tone, a grate and is steady and mellow, yet haunting and emotional too.
Think Deacon Blue or Aztec Camera type vibes. Some tracks feel huge, like epic cinematic works, very Americana feels of dusty road trips through deserted plains with bright blue skies, hot summers and panoramic views, but with an eeriness, a hidden depth, a sadness or tragedy beneath the beauty. This sound really conjures up so many images. The more upbeat songs are real ear worms…and I’ll happily have them stuck in my head! Toe tapping, so much energy is poured into this, the performance is fast paced, all band members are bouncing, and it’s amazing to watch, immense stage presence. The crowd soak up the feels eagerly and are dancing enthusiastically. Bounding around the stage with his guitar, our front man really holds our attention, dressed in a white flared suit, very cool, it fits with the picture the sounds are painting. Melodic piano, strong hard beats, glistening guitar lines and real bluesy atmospheric bass, with that colourful and descriptive voice. Neil Diamond sound meets epic movie type feels. I’m happy! One brilliant set, loved it! At the top of my must see again list! Check out Altameda, you won’t be disappointed!
The Feeling – Headline
Dan Gillespie (Sells) – vocal/guitar/keys
Richard Jones – bass
Kevin Jeremiah – guitar
Ciaran Jeremiah – keys
Paul Stewart – drums
We’re all so ready for this now. You can feel the excitement level has increased. As they walk on to a fanfare style version of ‘Fill my little world‘ in a cloud of dry ice and in total darkness, the screams from the crowd become deafening! In a sequence of bright white flashing lights it’s straight into ‘High like you‘ and the afore mentioned springy dance floor is now rippling beneath my feet. Shimmering guitar lines, skippy, fast beats, soaring bass lines and that feel good piano style all bind together with Sells’ unmistakable and instantly recognisable voice, clear, loud, high and far reaching, it’s incredible, it really is joyous, it’s a pleasure to be a part of. The atmosphere is of pure fun, happiness, excitement and it’s super friendly. There are tidal waves of pogoing bodies running through this venue and as we hear the intro to ‘Fill my little world‘, it properly goes off…and then some! This song was the catalyst that brought the wilds (or wilder wilds) and my God we have the wilds, in full swing now!
During instrumentals our front man is twirling about the stage in circles and dancing on the edge of the stage whilst our guitarists jump about and throw guitars around, so much enthusiasm is coming from on stage, it’s infectious – it’s passed from band to audience then back again. Interaction is friendly and genuine, clapping is encouraged along with singing and counting in songs, which is gladly taken up. Overall the feel is pop or pop rock but at times it all gets very rock n roll and as a band I can honestly say The Feeling really do ‘rock out’. It’s brilliant! It’s alive in here, the atmosphere this band has created is truly electric. There are moments of crashing, careering guitars and throughout the lines are sharp, clean and very concise. The piano gives a feel good factor and there’s a real sing-along vibe as well known hits like ‘Sewn‘ and ‘Love it when you call‘ are performed from the band’s superb back catalogue, but a cover of Buggles’ ‘Video killed the Radio Star’ is another that feeds the fury of the wilds tonight and ramps up the crowd madness. It’s high vibrational, feel good, carefree and superb entertaining, it makes us smile, it’s great fun, makes us want to dance, we quite simply are having a ball.
A mirrored piano is wheeled onto stage and Sells performs a solo, then is joined by Richard on vocal, which is stunning. Then songs from the musical ‘Everybody’s talking about Jamie’, written by Sells are performed. In a mesmerising shower of rainbow lights and the feels change, to a much more theatrical style, really bringing another dimension to the set. Between songs our front man explains a little about the musical, the recent film version and the songs from both. Then it’s back into The Feeling set with an abundance of energy. We now have band members climbing on amps and speakers then jumping off, throwing themselves off the drum platform and holding guitars up high whilst still playing! It’s been a roof raising, party feeling, sparkling, pop-fueled, fun filled set, and the time has flown…and in one roof raising encore The Feeling manage to lift those feels once again …to stratosphere level!! Ending with ‘I thought it was over’ this floor is now feeling like a minor tremor is happening! Everyone is screaming the words back, bouncing and going wild. Then a cover of Queen’s ‘Fat bottomed girls‘ brings frenzy level and our band really show us how they rock out. Finishing in one hell of an explosion, it’s been a great night -really feel good, light and happy and I think it’s safe to say everyone tonight had the best time ever!
Set List:
1/ High like You
2/ There is no Music
3/ Fill my Little World
4/ Never be Lonely
5/ Love People
6/ Kettle’s on
7/ Never Gave Up
8/ Rosḗ
9/ Helicopter
10/ Video Killed the Radio Star (cover)
11/ Everybody’s talking about Jamie
12/ This was Me (cover)
13/ Sewn
14/ Join with Us
15/ Love it when You Call
Encore
16/ I thought it was over
17/ Fat Bottomed Girls (cover)
FOLLOW THE FEELING
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago