In the far off mists of 2004, a younger, slimmer, more financially responsible me first witnessed the wondrous Polyphonic Spree in concert; an event that instigated the gig obsession that’s been the bane of my bank account ever since. So, when I found out they were touring again after a two-year hiatus, I jumped at the chance to check them out. Fears that Tim DeLaughter’s technicolour mob (now shorn down to a mere 18 members) would have lost their euphoric edge immediately proved unfounded- even though the robes of old have given way to cod-military uniforms and their new material is tinged with hints of darkness.
Like the equally brilliant I’m From Barcelona, the Spree are essentially a one-note band; happy-clappy melodies, grandoise orchestration (including a string quartet, a full brass section, two drum kits and a harp) and a judicious use of confetti but they’re such unadulterated fun it’s not an issue. Introduced by a Brian Blessed lookalike bellowing bad poetry at the audience, The Fragile Army launched straight into fantastic new single “Running Away,” the first of many of the tracks played from the new album. The quality of the material was generally excellent (if a bit repetitive) but a couple of tracks were less than stellar- luckily, for every duff new song, there was a classic from the back catalogue to make up for it. The sublime It’s The Sun provided the evening’s most glorious movement, transforming from an acoustic campfire ballad into, well, a polyphonic spree but Soldier Girl, with a fittingly militaristic makeover, gave it a run for its money.
The encore saw the band march through the audience (both on the balcony and through the stalls) clad in the classic white robes of yore before treating us to the anthemic Light And Day. But it was their inspired cover of Nirvana’s Lithium that really got the audience going, the whole venue transforming into one big happy mosh-pit. Shame they almost ruined things by going off on a self-indulgent tangent with half-arsed attempts at audience participation and uncomfortable, rambling speeches by DeLaughter but they redeemed themselves by ending on an impromptu rendition of Tripping Daisy’s ‘Sonic Bloom’, a gesture much appreciated by the more zealous amongst the faithful. As delightfully choreographed as the rest of the show was, it was a spontaneous moment like that that, for me, underlined the Spree’s reputation as the happiest band on Earth.
Support came from Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man, whose dreadful monicker belied a band that actually had some decent melodies under its belt. However, their musical prowess was somewhat overshadowed by the fact they had one of the most ludicrous frontmen I’ve ever seen; the bastard lovechild of Jarvis Cocker and Alan Partridge. One of the more interesting supports I’ve seen in a while…
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