Formed in 2003 this Ontario born band have made 5 studio albums, most recently New Wild Everywhere, released on April 3rd 2012 on Nettwerk. Named after the celebrated feat in Canada, the group honour Marilyn Bell, who in 1954, became the first person ever to swim the length of Lake Ontario. Following the release of their spring album, the Great Lake Swimmers are playing shows in the UK, Belgium, Germany and Spain until they return to their homeland.
Decorated with art clad walls and a rustic decor, the Night and Day cafe is sweetly alluring. Eclectic ornaments lay scattered whilst an equally diverse crowd surround the bar. The audience seem somewhat timid as the folk-rock group emerge, creating an awkward void in front of the stage but as opening track Think That You Might Be Wrong emerges, feet begin to move.
"We're proud to be back in Manchester" declares front man Tony Dekker as Put There By The Land begins to hum. The group begin with soothing ballads as if drawing the crown in with violinist Miranda Mulholland offering appeasing harmonies to Dekker's soulful tones. Halfway through the set, the band exit the stage leaving Dekker and a guitar. A lonesome solo performance almost passes as a middle eight to the whole show until, one by one, each member returns to their instrument, building an empty On The Water up to a rich climax. Slight glares between Dekker and guitarist Erik Arnesen indicate disorderly instrumentation levels but despite this, Dekker calmly prompts adjustments and swiftly moves on.
Your Rocky Spine allows Arnesen to show off his banjo playing skills whilst Mulholland continues to play spiralling violin melodies. This group have a knack of making everything they do seem effortless and this is further demonstrated by percussionist Greg Millson, and his many drumsticks, providing hi-hat sibilance alongside discrete bass drum thuds. As to not showcase their charms any more, Mulholland begins to play her violin as if it were a guitar, resulting in pizzicato strings which sound deceivingly like a piano. Adding small doses of personality and humour make the Great Lake Swimmers performance very successful as they glide through a set 17 tracks strong.
The last number of this composed show is River's Edge complete with Mulholland and Arnesen sharing a microphone to deliver doleful hums; a hugely intimate ending which almost brings the crowd to complete silence. Until "We want more!", bawled by a drunken genius brings the solidarity crashing down. Leaving no more than a minute after escaping backstage, Dekker returns for an encore, one which takes places directly in the middle of the audience. Looking obscure at first as Bret Higgins squeezes through with his double bass, it turns out to be a rare moment of closeness for the audience and the band, a spellbinding note on which to end this triumphant show.
The Great Lake Swimmers sound far better live than on their albums as their depth and intricate musical detail is conveyed in a more raw and poignant manner, one in which the audience become captivated in. Full of charisma and deep levels of thoughtfulness, the group master this live performance.
Written by - Emma Storey
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Other / [OFFICIAL SITE]
Decorated with art clad walls and a rustic decor, the Night and Day cafe is sweetly alluring. Eclectic ornaments lay scattered whilst an equally diverse crowd surround the bar. The audience seem somewhat timid as the folk-rock group emerge, creating an awkward void in front of the stage but as opening track Think That You Might Be Wrong emerges, feet begin to move.
"We're proud to be back in Manchester" declares front man Tony Dekker as Put There By The Land begins to hum. The group begin with soothing ballads as if drawing the crown in with violinist Miranda Mulholland offering appeasing harmonies to Dekker's soulful tones. Halfway through the set, the band exit the stage leaving Dekker and a guitar. A lonesome solo performance almost passes as a middle eight to the whole show until, one by one, each member returns to their instrument, building an empty On The Water up to a rich climax. Slight glares between Dekker and guitarist Erik Arnesen indicate disorderly instrumentation levels but despite this, Dekker calmly prompts adjustments and swiftly moves on.
Your Rocky Spine allows Arnesen to show off his banjo playing skills whilst Mulholland continues to play spiralling violin melodies. This group have a knack of making everything they do seem effortless and this is further demonstrated by percussionist Greg Millson, and his many drumsticks, providing hi-hat sibilance alongside discrete bass drum thuds. As to not showcase their charms any more, Mulholland begins to play her violin as if it were a guitar, resulting in pizzicato strings which sound deceivingly like a piano. Adding small doses of personality and humour make the Great Lake Swimmers performance very successful as they glide through a set 17 tracks strong.
The last number of this composed show is River's Edge complete with Mulholland and Arnesen sharing a microphone to deliver doleful hums; a hugely intimate ending which almost brings the crowd to complete silence. Until "We want more!", bawled by a drunken genius brings the solidarity crashing down. Leaving no more than a minute after escaping backstage, Dekker returns for an encore, one which takes places directly in the middle of the audience. Looking obscure at first as Bret Higgins squeezes through with his double bass, it turns out to be a rare moment of closeness for the audience and the band, a spellbinding note on which to end this triumphant show.
The Great Lake Swimmers sound far better live than on their albums as their depth and intricate musical detail is conveyed in a more raw and poignant manner, one in which the audience become captivated in. Full of charisma and deep levels of thoughtfulness, the group master this live performance.
Written by - Emma Storey
Follow / [FACEBOOK]
Other / [OFFICIAL SITE]
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