Mindless Self Indulgence: Live @ Manchester Academy 21.10.07

Two years ago, if you told someone you were a fan of Mindless Self Indulgence, they'd give you a strange look, decide you were strange, and move on. But careful marketing, a few video game soundtracks, a Jhonen Vasquez collaboration and that good old chestnut: 'The Word Of Mouth' have shown that you don't need to have a hit record in this country to win an ever growing mass of devoted followers, who eagerly snapped up tickets for this return trip to Manchester Academy.

And with the queue stretching further back that most bands could dream of, the Academy was soon filled with what, as Winona Ryder once described herself in Beetlejuice, the "strange and unusual"... many of whom were lapping up the overpriced merchandise, which annoying included a t-shirt that just a month ago the band's management and myspace page were proudly proclaiming would only ever be available as a free gift with pre-orders of their live dvd, Our Pain, Your Gain. Still - there's no business like show business... when it comes to ripping off the fans, eh?

The evening's entertainment did not start well, either. It takes a performance of truly coma inducing boredom for me to even forget their name, let alone the songs they played, but whoever supported MSI have to be one of the worst warm up acts I've ever seen. It was as if Coldplay suddenly discovered a drum machine and sampler, and had no idea how to use them... amusing to watch for about twenty seconds, then I'm afraid they received the same treatment all crap support bands get these days - utter ignorance of their presence, while I played an enthralling round of Tetris on my phone. What on earth did we do before mobile phones - I've have gnawed my own arms off without it!

All was forgiven, however, once MSI appeared on stage. The crowd went wild, and the band played up to it, especially, of course, Little Jimmy Urine himself. Songs flew by, the band stopping only to allow Jimmy his half-scripted taunts... this time tailored to UK audiences - his tales of trying to write a Girls Aloud quality song, for example... or shopping at Marks and Spencer - neither of which you expect to hear American bands talk about in general, let alone whilst whipping an audience into a frenzy.

By the end of the night, all but a handful of their more famous songs had appeared in one form or another... the most notable omission being the first track of theirs I heard all those years ago, the infamous Molly... but in a set packed with as many songs as they like to perform, its not surprising a few get left out. After a brief explanation as to what bands "normally" do during the pre-encore moments, and a final corker or two... Jimmy rounded off with a perfectly mimed rendition to a playback of There's No Business Like Show Business, and vanished.

He returned five minutes later and all those who hadn't left yet swarmed around him as he began signing autographs for fans... though unlike most autographs, these could say absolutely anything - most notably his response when handed a passport: I'm not sure if its genius or insanity to allow him to write the words "I AM A TERRORIST" in your legal documents, but its certainly something unique to treasure forever! Guitarist Steve, Righ? soon followed, and bassist Lynn-Z and drummer Kitty were on their way, but after a long trek up from London to see them (I'd been away for the weekend), I simply couldn't be bothered hanging around and fighting my way through the scrum to speak to them.

Nevertheless, they should be commended for this behaviour - so many bands these days couldn't care less if their fans like them or not, as long as they get their money at the end of the night - here is a band that has become an ever growing phenomenon because they take the time to care... and long may they continue to do so.

Come back soon, MSI - next time the Apollo, eh?

Seth Lakeman: Live @ Manchester Academy 07.10.07

The last time Seth Lakeman played at Manchester Academy, there was an overwhelming feeling that he was finally breaking into the mainstream. After years of underground success, including a Mercury Music Prize nomination for 2005's Kitty Jay album, Seth had appeared on a variety of tv shows, entered the UK top 40, and had a shiny new recording contract upon which to reissue his albums.

Since then, things have been somewhat quiet on the Lakeman front, bar the odd festival appearance and a rather muted 7" only single release for King And Country. Yet whilst the venue hadn't quite sold out, it was still jam packed by the time Benji Kirkpatrick and recent chart success Ben's Brother had completed their support sets - and once again, yours truly, fluffy fox was right at the front. This time, the Academy had elected to put the barriers up, so leaning on the stage beside Seth's feet was not an option!

Lakeman and his more than able backing band were all full of a cold, but you wouldn't have known it if Seth hadn't apologised profusely during between-song banter - his voice as sensational as ever, his fiddleplaying as breathtaking as it was the first time you saw him blast his way through Kitty Jay all alone. And that track was, as ever, a highlight of an evening packed with them. Recent singles The White Hare and King And Country were both absent from the setlist, but fan favourite Lady Of The Sea and numerous tracks from his three albums to date all appeared, as did tantalising glimpses of the forthcoming fourth full lengther. One can only hope it'll be released in time to make 2008 start with a bang.

The next time Seth's in a town near you, do yourself a favour - put aside any prejudice you may have against folk, and go and see an incredible performer with a talented backup band, who together can put on a show to take your breath away. You won't regret it, believe you me.