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28 October 2014

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Live reviews

Embrace (pic: Andy Stubbs)

Embrace at the MEN Arena - 4/10

Alex McCann (gig: 16/12/05)
After one of the most spectacular comebacks of recent years, Embrace may have just thrown it all away with one of the most shockingly average performances the Arena has ever seen.

Embrace (pic: Andy Stubbs)

From the outset it was clear this was going to be a very different show than the one we witnessed at the Apollo twelve months ago. Rather than bound onstage with the confidence of a band at the top of their game, they shuffle on like lost boys and attempt to pull of an atmospheric lightshow that leaves most of the band in total darkness for the first half of the set.

Still, the songs are as strong as ever with All You Good Good People, Wonder, Someday and Looking As You Are spanning the better parts of their four albums to date. Pleasing those older fans who were around first time, there鈥檚 a rare outing of Fireworks, all stripped it down to the basics of piano and vocals, but for many here tonight, it's the Chris Martin-penned Gravity they've been waiting for.

Embrace (pic: Andy Stubbs)

A new song, Wake Up, is aired as the first offering from the band鈥檚 as yet untitled fifth album that marks a different direction for the band. Moving away from the songwriting partnership of the brothers McNamara, it sees the whole band take an equal share in writing and, with a move away from the traditional Embrace ballad, it sits neatly between the sensitivity of the Smiths with the groove of the Stone Roses. It's one of the highlights of tonight's set, but it doesn't reach the heights of the new tracks they played at last year鈥檚 Manchester gig.

Ending on the classic The Good Will Out, you sense that for many, that's just not enough. If they continue to put on shows like this then the greatest comeback could soon become the greatest fall from grace.

last updated: 20/12/05

Have Your Say

dissapointed
all i can say is no atmosphere

umna
I also disagree, the fans and I certainly enjoyed it, shame you didnt!!!

uncle pete
i think this arena tour is one of the best show embrace have ever put on and the crowd looked to be having as good a time as the band. it was a excellent night. was this bloke at the same gig as the rest of us????

Andy
I saw Embrace on Friday, Coldplay on Monday. Embrace knocked the socks off Coldplay. What do you want? Raw passion and excitemnet about music or cold clinical materialism...Embrace anyday!! Andy (age 43 and 1/4!)

Mrs F
Sounds like these fans are a bit biased! take off your rose tinted glasses and listen to the gig and then go and watch a proper arena band and compare. I do love Embrace too but this performance was poor to average at best.

Debbie
I took my friend to see that Embrace concert for her 18th birthday, her verdict, "it was the best night of my life!"

Peter
I too disagree, brilliant gig, played all the classics, everyone seemed to be enjoying it.

Helen
I disagree with your review. For the fans it was a great night and was everything I had hoped it would be!

Gor
get him some singing lessons and they would be great! They are just not an arena band.. they were amazing at the apollo at the beginning of the year so maybe they should stick to that size venue.