Richard Hawley, The O2 Apollo, Manchester: Live Review

Mike Ainscoe

2 years ago

Richard Hawley, Thea Gilmore – Manchester O2 Apollo – Wednesday 12th June 2024

Tonight Richard, the streets of Manchester are ours.

Head the news lately? After the reporting of of a few choice words/opinions (“a sweary tirade“- NME) about the upcoming general election at his London date, there are no shortage of goaders willing Richard Hawley on to launch into another verbal bashing. Anyone expecting an expletive riddled political outburst is to be disappointed as RH remains relatively subdued, offering a simple three words to say on the matter. Manchester knows what they are as the band swing into (“once they’ve f**ked off the streets will be ours“) Tonight The Streets Are Ours. Perhaps buoyed by the banter, the ovation at the close is prolonged. Goosebumpy even.

However, let’s not get too far ahead…with the In This City They Call You Love album riding high on a wave of critical acclaim, Hawley and his band are out on a nationwide tour. It’s a tour that’s had the Hawley fan forums purring. After an evening spent with a very busy Apollo, plenty of couples having a night out and a smooch, held captive and caressed by Sir Richard, we understand why.

The drone of ethnic strings as the house lights fade and the shadowy figures take their places signals a surprise but thrilling opening choice. She Brings The Sunlight has been making a very welcome live debut and bursts into huge electric life. It’s from an album of dense and colourful textures and within its seven minutes, Sir Richard has peeled off a couple of searing solos that have him twisting and throwing subtle guitar hero shapes.

Anyone else like me who would have thought ‘worth the price of admission alone’? It’s a stunning release and well worth the wait, justifying the assorted rack of amps that make the stage look like a vintage guitar shop as Richard’s guitar tech does regular shuttles between songs to provide an assortment of electric and acoustic instruments.

The Standing At The Sky’s Edge album is well represented with the title track, where the stage is bathed in an apocalyptic red glow, and Leave Your Body Behind You adding heavier portions to the set. Adding an extra guitar to the regular Hawley band of brothers, Shez Sheridan (never too far from some impressive looking twelve string axe) , Jon Trier, Dean Beresford and Colin Elliot makes for a deep and bassy impact.

Balancing gilt-edged, lush and romantic beauts (Open Up Your Door, Heavy Rain) with stone dead bangers (the hefty rockabilly Deep Space, Alone, Heart Of Oak), the set is planned meticulously to allow moments for a breather. The lovers’ big moment, (those who aren’t holding their phones aloft for a souvenir) Coles Corner is followed by the balls out rocking Leave Your Body Behind. The, erm, lonesome Elvis pastiche, Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow gets sandwiched between a buoyant Streets and Just Like The Rain. Written back in the mists of time as a 16 year old, the latter has him declaring how he’s always been a miserable…., ahem, slightly on the melancholic side. It’s also one of several numbers whose intros are greeted like old friends, not least the velvet richness of swaying strings on Coles Corner that has his Hawleyness for once abandon the guitar for a peerless delivery. With three acoustic guitars lined up at the front, Lonesome Whistle sounds and looks like the classiest acoustic jug band you’ve ever seen. The next minute, they’re a three pronged Fender attack on Alone.

Of course, Richard’s beloved city of Sheffield is never far from mind. The ‘Welcome to Sheffield’ roadsign (presumably not nicked…) is on prominent display and held aloft after the usual emotion drenched Coles Corner inciting a rowdy cheer (as staunch Mancs become temporary Yorkies for a few hours) to wash away any stingy eyed tears. There’s also a Hawley branded Henderson’s Relish at the merch desk and both accompany the people

There’s one final treat for Manchester as Clive Mellor (regular harmonica buddy of RH) is brought on adding an extra number to the three song encore with Time Is from Further getting a good polish as the seven strong outfit romp and roll through the chorus of “Time will change” – time will change indeed. Hopefully. But for now an evening with Richard Hawley makes the world right.

Earlier, Thea Gilmore proved a wise and typically Hawley choice for support slot. “She’s f**kin great,” our host tells us later. Made of a similar mettle to RH, she admits to enjoying the challenge of being unknown to what she reckons would be about 98% of those in attendance. She does herself a misfavour as it’s probably much less than that.

Armed with acoustic guitar and one song down, she promises us a further twenty seven minutes of thought provoking and often difficult subject matters. Offering up a handful of originals, sucking in the first timers and throwing in Bad Moon Rising for a hint of familiarity, she’s a low key but bold presence. Not afraid to subvert the singer/songwriter tropes, adding loops and beats to vary the sonic pallet on This Girl Is Taking Bets/Nice Normal Woman rounded off her set with an ambitious statement.