Concertgoers at Manchester's Aviva Studios received an unusual accessory with their ticket - a pair of earplugs. This precautionary measure set the tone for what would become an extraordinary multi-sensory experience courtesy of shoegaze pioneers My Bloody Valentine.
The Physicality of Sound
Why not simply turn down the volume? For My Bloody Valentine, reducing their legendary decibel levels would fundamentally alter the impact of their live performance. The band's signature wall of sound operates as a physical force rather than mere auditory stimulation. Attendees felt each bass drum vibration like a heartbeat against their chest, experienced the peculiar sensation of their ribcage rattling in sync with the music, and during the encore, confronted noise so ferocious it created the illusion of gale-force winds whipping at their clothing.
Shoegaze Pioneers Reimagined
While credited with inventing the ethereal, effects-laden shoegaze genre that's experiencing a renaissance among the TikTok generation, My Bloody Valentine's current live show reveals deeper connections to noise experimentalists like Einstürzende Neubauten than the dreamier bands that followed in their wake. This rare tour marks their first live appearances in seven years, making the Irish-English band's performances feel like celestial events.
At the centre of this carefully controlled maelstrom exists an undeniable beauty. Co-vocalist and guitarist Bilinda Butcher's gentle vocals provide ethereal counterpoints to the sonic onslaught, while lovely melodies emerge unexpectedly through the shrieking walls of sound generated by be-hatted frontman Kevin Shields. These beautifully intermeshing textures ride relentlessly on the rock-solid foundation provided by bassist Debbie Googe and tireless drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig.
A Journey Through Sonic Evolution
It seems remarkable that this overwhelming audio experience first emerged from modest pub venues rather than the cavernous spaces with immersive visuals the band now commands. The near two-hour performance traces their evolution toward what can only be described as a form of aural sculpture.
The evening contained a poignant moment when Shields dedicated their 1990 landmark track Soon - the song that launched indie-dance into the cosmos - to late Stone Roses bassist Mani, noting "he loved this." Technical difficulties saw the power fail twice during the song, yet even a subsequent two-minute pause couldn't diminish the performance's momentum or reduce the necessity of those distributed earplugs.
The performance climaxed during the astonishing closer You Made Me Realise, featuring a pulverising several-minute middle section of pure noise that represents perhaps the closest approximation of apocalypse ever conjured by guitar, bass and drums. The band continues their UK tour at London's OVO Arena on 25 November and Glasgow's OVO Hydro on 27 November.
