Entertainment For Lively Minds
John Butler Trio
Posted by Paul Waring on 12 April 2010 - 11:03am.
When:
Saturday 10 April 2010
Where:
Manchester Academy
Comments:
Massive in their home country, yet relatively unheralded here, JBT are still one of the best nights out you can have. Rockier than on previous visits (reflecting the style of the new album), the band played for well over two hours, fitting in drum and bass solos that, although long, never outstayed their welcome.
Previously, John has spent the bulk of his set seated, but this time he was up from the get-go, switching from acoustic guitar, to banjo, to electric, with fluidity and ease. This adds a new dynamic to the set and the variation ensures the set never drags. Indeed, John's solo section, including the beautiful 'Ocean', made a welcome contrast to the rockier beginning and the funkier, drum-propelled climax.
The set culminated in the beautiful, singalong, 'Peaches & Cream' from 'Sunrise Over Sea' before a long, rousing encore with - yes - another drum solo (involving the whole trio) before we left, exhausted and sated. Come back soon John - two years is too long.
The Audience:
A good mix with a smattering of dreads (white, natch). All good natured and involved, although sadly I was stood behind Mr Floppy Head, dancing to a tune only he could hear and whose enthusiasm was more than matched by his complete lack of rhythm.
Food & Drink:
Well, the set was so long we should have taken a packed lunch. That said, the quesadillas and sushi salad at Giraffe, and the beers in Kro Bar beforehand, saw us through.
It Made Me Think...:
There is still a place for the drum solo in popular music. The bass solo - not so much. And John Butler might be the nicest man in rock who is not Guy Garvey.









