THE ACADEMIC - MANCHESTER, UK.
The Academic at the Albert Hall, Manchester, UK (11/02/2023).
with support from The Royston Club and Oliver Keane.
Images by: Daniel Caddick.
THE ACADEMIC
THE ROYSTON CLUB
OLIVER KEANE
I could chat for hours about the Manchester music scene and it’s globally known venues. One of those being the Albert Hall in Manchester City Centre.
On The Academic’s tour for their new album ‘Sitting Pretty’, they hit Manchester on only their second date of the tour that covers Europe and the UK. A setting with a seated balcony very much like a vintage theatre, only a place for a destined show to take its place. The Academic brought that show.
Firstly however, Oliver Keane opened up the night in what was a quality proving set. A cover of The 1975’s, ‘Sex’ really kicked off his set with a hint of tuneage.
An indie rocking band was next up. The name being, The Royston Club. In what is a very genre based gig for them, it seemed like everyone in the venue by this point knew who The Royston Club were and if not, they certainly knew after the set.
An incredible array of talent in such a tight knit band really showcases how far a band like The Royston Club can go as well as already having some indie classics. The sky is the limit for the club and its fans.
Now we move onto the headliner, The Academic.
24 hours before the release of the album, the band put out a post on Instagram. They believe their new album is one that supports those who are “just trying to get by” - a special message, especially for the times we are in. Supporting all and offering a good time is what this band are all about.
Prior to entering the venue I received a paper heart with the words, “hold over your flash for homesick” written on it. This lovely feature set the tone from square one. The fanbase of The Academic will always have a kind hearted centre for the band to rely on. A strong bond between the band and their beloved crowd.
In what was a grand entrance for the band, they kicked off with my personal favourite off the new album, ‘Pushing Up Daisies’. The movement and stage presence the band possess is second to none. They give you no time to blink or wipe your ear from beer as the momentum of the set never gave out.
You are often questioned during the set, how are these guys not bigger? Classic indie hits such as ‘Acting My Age’ and ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends’ featured at different points in the set as the classics seemed to be split out and segregated. A great idea to maximise fan attention and enjoyment.
Crowd interaction and flowers from the front row flooded the venue for almost every segment of the setlist. Lead vocalist, Craig Fitzgerald, teared up during ‘Girlfriends’, feeling quite like an emotional levitating experience as the passion was clear to the eye. He also got down off the cliff like stage at one point to embrace with a fan who had waited quite some time outside in the February cold.
A smile that couldn’t be wiped away, that’s The Academic touch.
The band currently find themselves in a tight chart battle with Paramore with what was a very hard fought and well written base to their album.
Covering the show as a reviewer or photographer, it didn’t matter, I was having just as much fun as the packed crowd. Not an inch to move as The Academic brought the numbers and delivered yet again.
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