Albert Hammond Jr at Gorilla review

Image: Albert Hammond Jr

As the music stopped and a rather unsettling voice recorded loop of “you can petition the lord with prayer” echoed around Gorilla’s intimate metallic walls, out stepped Hammond in black skinny jeans and a Danny Zuko inspired tight white t-shirt to a rapturous applause. 

Although he may be more accustomed to topping festival bills and packing out arenas all around the world, any worry he may not be quite up for this were dispelled as soon as he pandered to the Manchester crowd, claiming ‘I love coming here’. 

His set kicked off with ‘101’ off his debut solo album Yours to Keep and featured songs spanning over the four albums he’s released since 2006.

Songs like ‘Born Slippy’ (listen below) and ‘Caught By My Shadow’ from his newest effort, Momentary Masters, proved to be highlights of the night as Hammond and the rest of his band transitioned effortlessly from song to song. 

A lot of credit should be given to the musicians he’s drafted in for the tour, especially the other guitarist who he shared lead and rhythm responsibilities with.

Drawing on his 15 years and more experience of being in one of indie music’s most prolific products, Hammond mixed an array of Strokes-esque gritty guitar work with poppy hooks you couldn't help but sing along to.

Chants of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire” and claims “the north is better than the south” ensured he would be leaving an affectionate mark on the Manchester audience as the crowd responded with screams of “Albert, Albert” throughout the show. 

He went off stage around an hour in for a quick break but was back for a short encore ending on the crowd favourite ‘In Transit’ (listen above). 

Many of the on looking punters may only be familiar with the guitarist for his work with Julian Casablancas and co, however Albert Hammond Jr. certainly showed there’s more to him than sporadic albums and one off festival headlines.

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