In considering my upcoming visit to Bridgewater Hall to see the current incarnation of Neil Hannon’s The Divine Comedy (what will remarkably be my first time seeing them) perhaps unfairly I’m not expecting to be surprised, or for any new ground to be broken.
My requirements for this show are to have my heart warmed, to smiley wryly, and to spend a cosy evening with other Divine Comedy fans, and of course Neil and co. As I write this review (on a Rainy Sunday Afternoon) I’m pleased to inform you that expectations were met and exceeded, the band and in particular Neil are in superb form both in their performance and in the poignant and reflective song writing for the latest album which makes up much of this set.
Neil shyly and almost apologetically takes the stage, toasting us with a glass of red wine and the show starts with two new ones “Achilles” and “Last Time I saw the old man”, which are fine additions to The Divine Comedy back catalogue with Hannon skilfully treading the line between the grown up chamber pop he is famous for and his unique heartfelt story telling. From here, the set moved into a selection of fan favourites.
We get the funny and touching kitchen sink drama of “Norman and Norma”, the comparatively stark and brooding “I Want You” and then into Divine Comedy classic “Our Mutual Friend” during which Hannon surprisingly moves into the crowd, performing the song while sitting among the audience.
The supporting band sound absolutely fantastic, lush instruments and beautifully sung harmonies that complement Hannon’s friendly baritone. Hannon acknowledges them by introducing the musicians to us one by one, taking their orders and serving them cocktails from a bar trolley that has been wheeled onto the stage. A nice touch slightly soured by the fact I’d just discovered that Bridgewater Hall had shut the bar.
The second half of the show takes us through some familiar territory with favourites “Generation Sex, A Lady of a Certain Age, Indie Disco getting welcome airings and a very Divine Comedy bit of political satire in “Mar-a-lago by the Sea. “In Pursuit of Happiness” is a wow moment in terms of performance and musicianship and the main set is rounded off with The Divine Comedy’s hit holy trinity of “Becoming More like Alfie”, “Something for the Weekend” and “National Express”. New song “Invisible Thread” has made into the encore and you can see why as it is surely destined to become a live show favourite.
I leave the venue with a beaming smile on my face, a warm heart, and a renewed appreciation for The Divine Comedy and national treasure Neil Hannon.
WORDS BY DAVID MAYNE
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