Slowdive @ Manchester Academy - a beloved and influential force in the realm of shoegaze
Slowdive put on a dreamy performance on Tuesday night at Manchester Academy as 1500 fans crammed into the sold-out room. The stage was softly lit and filled with haze as the band members emerged, met with cheers from the audience, their excitement palpable.
Hailing from Reading, England, Slowdive formed in 1989, composed of Rachel Goswell (vocals, guitar), Neil Halstead (vocals, guitar), Christian Savill (guitar), Simon Scott (drums), and Nick Chaplin (bass).
Opening with ‘shanty’ from their latest album everything is alive released in autumn last year, the mesmerising guitar tones filled the room, wrapping around the audience. Rachel Goswell’s vocals gracefully soared, her ethereal voice adding a haunting beauty to the performance. ‘Star Roving’, ‘Catch the Breeze’ and ‘skin in the game’ seamlessly blended together, showcasing Slowdive’s classics and newer tracks.
The visuals accompanying the performance were captivating as hypnotic patterns were projected behind the band enhancing the dreamlike aesthetic of Slowdive’s music. ‘Alison’ and ‘When the Sun Hits’ sends waves of nostalgia through the crowd, whereas ‘kisses’ showcases their newer developed sound, performed with seemingly effortless precision and passion.
The set came to a close with three favourites from Slowdive’s collection - ‘Sugar for the Pill’, ‘Dagger’ and ‘Golden Hair’, a gracefully enchanting conclusion to the set. The crowd expressed their gratitude for a truly transcendent experience, erupting into applause, it was clear that Slowdive had left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to be present, remaining a beloved and influential force in the realm of the shoegaze genre.
