Live Review: Delights live at The Deaf Institute in Manchester

Rewind to May 2017 in a nameless sixth-form college up north, Squires, Kirkland and Maxwell were already in a fledgling band called Educated Risk. They asked Wallis to join and the rest was history. He bought his first drum kit off eBay and here we are.

The meaning behind the name of the four-piece is probably one of the worst stories you’ll ever hear. The lads were on the bus home from college and needed a name for the Blackthorn Festival lineup. Drummer Wallis suggested The Lights. Squires misheard and thought he said Delights - and, well, that’s it. Nonetheless, we think it suits their feel-good dream-pop down to the ground.

Like so many others, COVID hit much of their tour. But following a string of successful dates in Sheffield, Birmingham, London, and Glasgow, they looked pleased as punch to be back on stage in their hometown.

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Tonight was another sell-out headline show at the iconic Deaf Institute, just off Oxford Road. One of my personal favourite live music venues of all time. Once inside, it was at capacity and it’s not hard to see why.

With the last eighteen months of rules, restrictions and, let's face it, more anxiety than we care to admit, everyone in the room was counting on Delights to take us away, and that's exactly what they did, serving up just the right amount of sun-drenched escapism we’d hoped for.

Fan favourites like ‘Jungle’ and 'Paradise’ were the highlights along with ‘One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.’ I especially loved their take on Sister Sledge’s iconic 'Lost In Music' as a nod to their soulful and electronic influences. If you like Daft Punk and Aussie electro-pop band Parcels, then there’s a good chance that you’ll love Delights.

It was nice to see frontman Maxwell so genuinely appreciative of the fans support. Barely a song went by when the crowd weren’t singing, mimicking each record and the animated frontman word for word.

For those that have never come across the group before, think of a gorgeous and unashamedly pop spin on a classic 60s/70s funk and soul sound, mixed in with a broad range of 80s new wave influences, for good measure, and all re-imagined for a new audience.  Revamped nostalgia that's more relevant than ever.

As most traditional pop artists do, Delights reference love and all its mysteries quite blatantly. It's simple, raw and honest songwriting that makes you feel something. Every song in their growing back catalogue is just so damn catchy and stayed with us long after they'd left the stage.

The crowd did not stop smiling, dancing and singing along. Isn’t that what it's all about? It’s Christmas, after, all. They even did their own rendition of Feliz Navidad for a bit of jaunty festive fun. A very nice touch. 

As we all made our way out of the venue and waited for buses and taxis to take us to the next bar, it was impossible to not notice almost everyone humming along in their own way to ‘Telephone Baby'. It's clear to see that this band harness something very special, and we predict even more humming fans across the UK in the year to come. 

The bands' In My Life EP gave us a lot to be excited and not the band's hotly-anticipated debut album is just around the corner, we've got even more reason to be delighted. New material is said to currently be in the works and I for one cannot wait to hear it. Watch this space for more details. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.