Review: Bonobo Live @ Albert Hall, Manchester

Image: Jody Hartley

Lay dormant for 40 years, the team behind Trof, Gorilla and The Deaf Institute in Manchester have reawakened the city to the wonderful Albert Hall, a sort of lost building which which many locals will no doubt have remained relatively oblivious to its existence.

This grade II listed building was built in the early 1900’s as a Wesleyan Chapel but has now been resurrected and transformed into another gem of a venue, adding to the city’s ever evolving arts and culture scene. After a select number of gigs including Goldfrapp and Mogwai last year, the concert hall, whose ground floor was wasted as a Brannigans bar until 2011, now has a full roster of events to really whet the appetite of the city. 

The standout date, to this reviewers tastes at least, is the presence tonight of British electronic producer, DJ and live act Simon Green aka Bonobo. The stunning chapel really lent itself to the tremendous performance from him and his ensemble, a 12 piece consisting of a string and brass section with cellos, violins, saxophones, trumpets - Green himself orchestrating it all and joining in with a range of instruments from drum pads to keyboard and bass guitar.

The compelling performance was set against a beautiful backdrop of the eclectic Baroque and Gothically crafted building ,still complete with its original ornate organ and stained glass windows. Live electronica really can be hit and miss but anyone trying to attempt this tricky formula should take heed of Bonobo and his efforts, a man with a clear vision which explicitly translates into bass driven chill out and dub beats. 

On an altar where nuptials were once pronounced, we bore witness to an accomplished sermon of energetic electronica from one of the most pioneering figures in modern music. Bonobo has created a masterful live show which encompasses each band member's unique talents, boasting drum breakdowns and saxophone solo’s amongst the crowd pleasing hits such as the chiming 'Cirrus'. 

Highlights were the crashing ‘Kiara’ which sounds colossal in a live setting; personal favourite 'Emkay' really hit the spot and for 'First Fires' the band were joined by Ninja Tune label mate and the aptly named Grey Reverend. He appeared for a single track and lent his bluesy voice and guitar to recreate the song from 2013 album The North Borders; he joined the string section and turned the room which was jumping moments before into a rather more melancholic atmosphere.

Singer Szjerdene fluttered in and out and sprinkled her breathtaking vocals over the musicians complex arrangements, it all married to become a powerfully emotive sound that sent chills through an enthralled and packed room. A set of complete aural pleasure, the band transcended through down tempo moments with tracks like 'The Keeper' from Black Sands and barricaded us with heavier instrumental sections, there was a continual changing of those on stage which made for a seamlessly evolving journey.

Bonobo’s stature has risen considerably and he has developed a back catalogue of lazy melodic electronica composed of rising vocals and delicate percussion, the band mainly showcased tracks from acclaimed electronic albums Days to Come, Black Sands and The North Borders.

The night took many forms - Green is a talented leader and composer who has put together a perfect live show which keeps the crowd involved and expectant, adding unforeseen changes in tempo and texture. Following an encore the lights went up it was then onwards to the Roadhouse for some, for a more intimate DJ set, but for this lucky writer it was off home delighted by my first Albert Hall and Bonobo experience.

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