Review: Delphic @ Gorilla, Manchester, 27/09/12

It's been a long time since fans of Delphic have had the chance to experience their beloved band in a live setting. Since the release of their debut album Acolyte in 2010 - and the subsequent flurry of gigs, festivals and fervent publicity that followed - the trio have been laying low, slowly crafting their follow-up LP and teasing fans with hints and snippets of what to expect.

After two years away, Delphic ran the risk of being  forgotten altogether - of making their comeback into a musical landscape in which their brand of electronic indie was no longer relevant. But happily for the band, a string of sell out tour dates up and down the country confirmed that their fanbase is still as warm and loyal as ever. And happily for the fans, the band have returned with a sound that marks a true progression in style, whilst remaining undeniably, and exuberantly, Delphic.

The sharply dressed trio of James Cook, Rick Boardman and Matt Cocksedge - joined by drummer Dan Hadley and new bassist Stu Coleman (formerly of The Music), took to the stage shortly before 9pm and launched confidently into new tune 'Good Life' - which had been one of the official tracks of this summer's London Olympics and so far the only indication of the band's new material. A defiant opening considering the mixed reception the track has already received from existing fans and one which, true to form, seemed to polarise the crowd.

But Acolyte fans didn't have to wait long before their cravings were satisfied, with the joyous, rousing fanfare of 'Good Life' mixing reassuringly into the familiar spiralling synth of 'Halcyon'; the crowd erupting into life - and their cries of "give me something I can believe in'" echoing the ever-growing anticipation for the band's new material.

While many bands would have used this tour as an opportunity to peddle most of their new work on an uninitiated crowd, Delphic indulged their faithful fans in an Acolyte heavy set - with favourites such as 'Red Lights', 'This Momentary' and 'Clarion Call' punctuated by a few new, unheard tracks.

From the sensuous, urgent R&B tones of forthcoming single 'Baiya' to the frankly epic, exploratory soundscape of 'Atlas' (surely set to become a future favourite) the new songs pulled influences from all corners of the musical spectrum - from rock to hip-hop - whilst remaining anchored by that familiar Delphic magic. It was the band's older work that, understandably, drew the biggest reactions from the crowd - though the new material went down extremely successfully, and was positively lapped up by the excitable, hands-in-the-air throng of fans.

Chat was minimal, with Delphic preferring to keep the pace thundering along, and blending one track into the next with extensions and hip-hop breakdowns. Despite the lack of banter however, interaction was high - with the band feeding off the crowd and seemingly loving every minute of their long-awaited homecoming.

The set's climax came in the form of Delphic's biggest hit to date, 'Doubt', which was teased into life by a slowed down, extended introduction before being unleashed in all its syththy glory and sending the 600 strong crowd into throes of euphoria. 'Counterpoint' and 'Acolyte' rounded off what had been a immense performance by a much-missed band.

Delphic may have been away from our stages for two years, but their sound is as tight as ever - the lapse in time only seeming to have lent them a confident maturity and a fresh enthusiasm for live performance.

Welcome back Delphic. We missed you.

Words: JR

Photo: Fiona Cariss

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