The Chevin, The Parlotones, Manchester Academy 3 16th October 2012 9/10

Kahn Morbee

Tonight, I was almost as excited to hear the support band than the main act. This is despite the fact that the my first encounter with The Chevin didn't quite live up to my high expectations. Back in May, the venue's sound was poor, the audience was impassive, and the set briefer than I had hoped. A lot's happened to the four piece from Leeds since then: they've toured America, made their début on Letterman in August (as guests alongside Michelle Obama) and more importantly released their first album, Borderland in September. It's one of my top albums of the month, epic sounding guitar rock, wonderfully melodic and uplifting. They put on an energetic set this time, and I was particularly taken by the drummer's amazing commitment. The band's live sound is exceptionally loud (learn from Grimes' recent woes and wear earplugs) and bass heavy; I wish Coyle Girelli's impassioned vocals could have been further forward in the mix.

The Parlotones has also had a momentous few months, having released their fifth album Journey Through the Shadows earlier this year (another of my albums of the month). In the hope of conquering America, they've just moved to LA. They are the biggest rock act of the last decade in their native South Africa, routinely playing stadiums there, and have toured relentlessly. In 2011 they played over 300 gigs throughout the world. Their first album was released in 2003, and the four members grow up and attended school together. Their break was the use of the track Beautiful in a Fuji advert in 2006: this helped to get them signed to Universal. None of this background knowledge prepared me for the impact of their live show, however.

I was surprised at the mix of ages in audience, and found the enthusiasm of a small group of fans arriving early to secure a place at the front inspiring. Now, I understand why those in the know about The Parlotones ensure that they don't miss one of their shows when they tour the UK. Above all, front man Kahn Morbee is theatrical, dancing around stage, and had the audience absolutely in his command. Much of the 90 minute set was a sing-along, Kahn cuing the crowd when he wanted us to provide the vocals. He claimed at one stage that Manchester is the only place where 200 people can sound like an arena of 20,000: I suspect though that he's able to work his magic of audience engagement where ever he goes. Above all, this was a collective experience, the audience's fervour evidenced by the South African flag being waved from the front.

The reaction of female members of the audience around me suggests that the band's muscular appearance doesn't harm their appeal, but in addition to Kahn's charisma, their use of melody is critical. The music is relatively simple, with pounding guitars and tight drumming, but those hooks ensure that the effect is so uplifting. It feels as if their time on stage was selflessly devoted to ensuring the audience had the most memorable experience. They were happy to delve deep into their back catalogue to play a song requested from the floor, found time to dedicate a number to a couple's engagement, and promised to play beyond the curfew until they were made to stop. They even issued an open invitation for anyone present to get drunk with them at a bar after the show (sadly not an option I was in a position to take up).

I've been to shows with more original, thought provoking music, but The Parlotones' aim is to please, not to stretch boundaries. I'm incredibly lucky to have seen them in such a small venue, but I think that stagecraft and anthemic sound would be as entertaining in a stadium. I'm certainly going to make the effort to see them next time they come to my part of the world. This night made reminded me of the joy of discovering a new act, and I felt rewarded for my exploration. I knew little of them before this gig, and it was a wondrous surprise that they had such stage presence. Though their hard work touring they spread their love of music and happiness: what could be more important than that?

Paul Hodgson