Public Service Broadcasting achieve lift off in Manchester as they bring The Last Flight, with all the trimmings, to Manchester.

HALO MAUD

The French composer, Halo Maid, ambles onstage to light applause. Im tow, she brings a bassist and drummer. A warm strum of the singers Rickenbacker opens before a wonderfully deep bassline vibrates through the Albert Hall. There is a real shoegazey feel to some of the songs. 

Halo Maud’s vocal delivery is ethereal and helps the music fly. Thought the set, she shows a fine vocal range. The backline hold tempo; giving a pulsing feel. Her songs work brilliantly in the live setting. Each passing composition gets an increasingly warmer reception. As far as a warm up act goes; Halo Maud carry out their job admirably. A quick thank you is offered as Halo Maud close out their set.

Manchester certainly shows up early to get their perch, meaning that Halo Maud have a good sized crowd to play to. 

ETIQUETTE

In all the years this writer has been watching Public Service Broadcasting, they’ve always preceded their shows with a little reminder for punters. The warning asks them not to spend their time filming the show. An additional P.S. comes to mention that people endlessly chatting during concerts is also annoying. A heavy amount of applause acknowledges the warning. The crowd play by the rules (mostly); the video along with Bowie’s Sound & Vision across the PA introduce the band on stage. We are ready for lift off.

THE LAST FLIGHT

Public Service Broadcasting are a band that are maturing like a fine wine. Across their discography they run through many a genre. The Last Flight (our review here) is certainly a ‘grown up’ record. There isn’t the brassy funk that drives Gagarin or the pulsing beats of Sputnik. There is however, an abundance of wonderfully crafted songs that show an array of moods, feelings, colours and emotions.

Focusing on the last flight of aeronautical pioneer, Emilia Earhart, The Last Flight charted at number three in the album charts. It is the third consecutive album for Public Service Broadcasting that has landed in the top 5. The stage set looks like the inside of a cockpit with circular screens used where an aircraft’s dials would be. It is from The Last Flight that a lot of the set is culled. Like their outstore at Night & Day (review here) two weeks prior, the first and last track are cut.

THE FUN OF IT

Earhart’s free and forward thinking is liberating. Whilst a pioneer of the skies, she was also an advocate of feminine rights. A bold voice in the 1920’s and 1930’s. An opening line from The Last Flight has Earhart proclaiming that what she does, she does for the fun of it. It is a wonderful outlook and a mantra that sits well with the music of Public Service Broadcasting. Whilst the subject matter is deep, it is delivered with fun.

Towards The Dawn is a galloping tune. Not heavy like an Iron Maiden gallop, but a decent canter. The Fun Of It transforms the stage into a kaleidoscope of colour and Electra sets the controls skyward.

Throughout the tour, Public Service Broadcasting have EERA with the band. The Berlin based singer takes A Different Kind Of Love to new planes. Her delivery is sublime, and makes for a beautiful and tender moment. EERA also stars on a cut from 2021’s Bright Magic; Blue Heaven. As noted, the maturity in sound and vision is clear throughout. The addition of EERA to the live set up works a treat. She also shines on Progress.

BERLIN

Bright Magic was an album that was a little departure for Public Service Broadcasting. Obvious overarching themes of The Race For Space and Every Valley were set aside for focus on the German capital. Manchester is treated to Der Rhythmus der Maschinen. On the record, ex-Bad Seed Blixa Bargeld provides vocals. Sonically, this is pure Kraftwerk worship. The guitars scythe menacingly through pulsating beats providing a deeply moving sound.

When the band deliver People, Let’s Dance from the same record, it is clear that Public Service Broadcasting could have the chops to dip into DJ sets, such is there proficiency in delivering highly danceable clubby beats through their music. Throw in the acid tinged homage to Sputnik and this case grows further. Some of the basslines and drumbeats could have been birthed a few hundred yards away at Manchester’s fabled Haçienda nightclub. Special mention must go to Wrigglesworth as it is his drumming that propels the tunes forward.

THE OTHER SIDE

In 2016, Public Service Broadcasting played this very same venue with a special performance of The Race For Space. It is the album that put PSB on the map. An album charting the space race, it is an album full of brilliant songs. Unsurprisingly, it is the songs of The Race For Space that are left in the locker for the back end of the set.

Following another perennial ever present, Spitfire, the perils conquered in The Other Side are always spectacularly delivered by the band. Performing it back to back with Go! is a brilliant way to end the main set. It was only ever going to end in up rapturous applause. As a band, Public Service Broadcasting are seemingly shy. Save for sporadic moments, all their lyrics are delivered through samples. Interaction with the crowd is kooky and rare. The music, literally, does the talking.

EVEREST

If fever pitch is not already achieved, it certainly is by the time the sounds of Everest arrive. It is a song that Public Service Broadcasting always close with. Prior to the trek up Peak XV, the band dip back into The Race For Space with the ever infectious Gagarin, complete with horns providing the brass overtones. They Gave Me A Lamp, one of two cuts from Every Valley, opens the encore.

Public Service Broadcasting deliver majestically. A sold out show in Manchester, not for the first time, attests to their popularity. They are a unique presence of a band and one that continually strives for creating something different. Music needs bands like Public Service Broadcasting. They don’t fit in one particular box; long may this continue.

There are some tickets left for select dates on the tour; you can check out the dates here.

Public Service Broadcasting: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube