Slowdive Triumphs at Manchester Academy with a Stellar Performance

Slowdive, the revered shoegaze band, has been experiencing a resurgence unlike many of their nineties peers. Unlike those who rely heavily on nostalgic appeal, Slowdive's recent era feels like a new peak in their musical journey. Despite disbanding in 1995 and reuniting nearly two decades later, they seem to be flourishing more than ever before.

Their earlier works, including the influential 1993 album 'Souvlaki', were met with critical acclaim but also faced criticism. At the time, their ethereal and richly layered sound was overshadowed by more mainstream and immediate guitar music. Fast forward to today, and their music has found a new audience, as evident in the packed show at the Manchester Academy.

Interestingly, the audience wasn't just made up of long-time fans but also a wave of younger listeners. This can be attributed to a renewed interest in the shoegaze genre, partly thanks to its emergence on social media platforms like TikTok. Slowdive's recent albums, including 2017's self-titled 'Slowdive' and 2020's 'Everything Is Alive', have been pivotal in capturing the hearts of a varied fan base. Their latest show featured a setlist primarily composed of these new, celebrated records.

At their Manchester performance, Slowdive showcased the two facets of their music. On one hand, they blasted through intense tracks like 'shanty' and 'Star Roving', filled with a vibrant, dark energy that contradicted their 'dreamy' stereotype. The stage was equally alive with dynamic strobe lighting juxtaposed with their spellbinding guitar effects.

On the other side, they embraced their more ambient, spacey side with songs like 'chained to a cloud' and 'Souvlaki Space Station', constructing them into grand post-rock epics on stage. During these moments, vocalist Rachel Goswell confidently engaged with the audience, which now spans generations of fans, while Neil Halstead delivered his vocal duties in a more subdued yet captivating manner.

To balance the intensity, the band interlaced heavy songs such as 'Dagger' with lighter tunes like 'kisses', showing their range and ability to adapt to the mood of the crowd. They even included a lively cover of Syd Barrett's 'Golden Hair' to wrap up their memorable set.

It's rare for a band to be producing some of their best work three decades into their career, but Slowdive's Manchester show made it clear that this is just the beginning for the shoegaze icons.

performance, shoegaze, resurgence