A key influence on this evening, Bon Iver, was present in Manchester only in spirit. Justin Vernon contributed backing vocals to Phil Cook's new album, Southland Mission, alongside Frazey Ford. Phil modestly described himself as a 'side man', being a member of Megafaun and one of my favourite projects, Hiss Golden Messenger. The solo set was most notable for the fevered guitar playing, and the warm, gently humorous rapport he established with the audience, though I missed the Americana accompaniment of his band. Guitar is also key to Kristian Matsson's sound: classically trained, he changed style after listening to Nick Drake's open tuning in his 20's, which liberated him to concentrate on his vocals. Even so, he switched guitar after virtually every song, allowing him to vary tuning and tone.
In contrast to Phil Cook's performance, there are five touring members of The Tallest Man On Earth, including the distinctive falsetto of Michael Noyce, who also plays with Bon Iver. The instrumental timbre was rich, including violin, pedal steel, and saxophone. Yet, they always felt like Kristian's backing band. This may have been influenced by my position: my close proximity to the high stage meant that they were out of sight for most of the set, on a platform at the back of the stage. Far from being an anti climax, the moments mid set when he played solo, including Love Is All and The Gardener, were highlights, gaining intensity. His first two albums were largely solo, and it's only on 2015's Dark Bird Is Home that he's embraced a fuller folk rock or chamber pop style.
Kristian sold out this 2500 capacity former Wesleyan Chapel: it's fascinating to consider why his appeal has transcended that of most folk inclined singer songwriters. Absolutely fundamental is an incredible gift for melody: just listen to Slow Dance. Combined with incredible enthusiasm on stage, this gives rise to an uplifting experience, despite the dark lyrics. The new album was influenced by his marriage breakup: Kristian explained: 'I’ve been touring for many years and spent that time romanticizing about my home and a domestic life and when I finally did it, it didn’t really work…'. The record has a fragility as a result of this and the contemporariness death of a close family member, which he refers to as 'stuff' when introducing songs. Yet, this was the 67th date on his current tour, and it seems he's at his most happy whilst taking his music on the road. Kristian's stagecraft has even been compared to Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands, such is the energy, and whenever he wasn't singing, he was moving around the stage. The band's title is ironic, though accurately describing his presence on stage, and the 5 foot 7 inch Kristian dances around lithely.
The lyrics are somewhat opaque, though he often sings of nature. Kristian commented: 'I’m not religious. I guess I’m spiritual in many ways... I’ve always daydreamed about….weird stuff, fun stuff'. This dream like quality is most endearing. His voice is distinctive, and his been compared to early Bob Dylan. Whilst it can sound raw in the studio, I was struck by its lyricism in Manchester. Like Phil Cook, he addressed the audience warmly, but the Swede has a certain awkwardness that is at odds with his extrovert demeanour onstage. This aspect of his personality is reflected more clearly in the solitude he explores in the lyrics, but it's when playing that he really draws in the audience. This was my first time seeing Tallest Man On Earth live, and I was surprised by what an uplifting, celebratory occasion he created. The setlist was generous, lasting close to two hours, and highlights were numerous. I'll pick out the exquisite Little Nowhere Towns, where Kristian pretended to be 'out of guitars' and played piano, and his guitar duet with Noyce for Where Do My Bluebird Fly. Occasionally I wished for a greater variety of mood, finding the soft rock style slightly cloying, but ultimately the set felt fresh and joyous.
Setlist
Moonshiner
Fields of Our Home
Slow Dance
1904
Singers
Darkness of the Dream
Timothy
Love Is All
The Gardener
Thousand Ways
Sagres
If Only I Could Fly (Blaze Foley cover)
The Wild Hunt
Revelation Blues
Criminals
Little Nowhere Towns
Where Do My Bluebird Fly
King of Spain
Dark Bird is Home
Encore
The Dreamer
Like the Wheel
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