“I’m a natural born sinner,” Ryan Adams says, staring at the ceiling of Manchester’s Albert Hall, “so this building could bring me down at any time.” However we all know sinners make the sweetest rock and roll, and last night Adams gave us a taste of honey.
Now on his fourteenth album in as many years, essentially meaning the man sweats music, Ryan Adams has developed quite the cult following (as I found out in a pub earlier in the week, where the mention of this gig to a group of friends reduced them to a Beatlemania-esque quiver). This following was out in force at the haunting old church venue. Packed to rafters, following the initial cheer at his appearance the crowd fittingly fell into a reverent silence, tentatively hanging off every lyric and chord. A religious experience indeed. On stage he cuts the figure of a perfectly dishevelled rock star, all messy hair, ripped denim and band t-shirt (“If I’d have known this was a church I would never have worn my Slayer t-shirt,” he mused). Backed by his trademark customised peace-sign Star Spangled Banner, he looks like a near perfect Americana album cover, Born In The USA for the 21st Century. He’s so picturesque it’s almost funny.
Adams is out promoting his latest drop, a self titled album released earlier this month. Despite the epic back catalogue to choose from, he lets the album take centre stage; A wise decision as it’s an absolute blinder, a guitar heavy record, significantly nodding toward the musical ilk of 1970’s/80’s Young and Springsteen, with hints of Don Henley. Opening with the fantastic chant of ‘Give Me Something Good’, other highlights from the record included the heart-on-sleeve mid-tempo beauty ‘Stay With Me’, fittingly haunting ‘Shadows’, and the edgier ‘I Just Might’ and ‘Trouble’ (otherwise known as the part where they finally figured out how to play in the hall, but more on that in a minute). Along with this he included a healthy dose of older tunes, such as the Country soaked ‘Easy Plateau’ from his work with The Cardinals, and the anthemic snarl of closing track ‘Come Pick Me Up’. The set list as a whole could be described as the bespoke mahogany furniture of rock music – personally made, finely crafted, will last the test of time in the great American song book. At two points I became utterly moved by his spine-tingling guitar playing and voice, a perfect combination of rough and melodic, far superior live than the one you hear on record. The tracks were ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina’ and ‘Why Do They Leave’, two hearty slices of bluesy Americana rock. Delicious.
Even a seasoned performer such as Ryan Adams had difficulty navigating the perilous acoustics of the Albert Hall. Although he never really faltered, it took a good third of the show for Adams and his outstanding backing band to get comfortable in the echoey chamber. Relaxed, funny and friendly throughout, he conducted conversations between the sound man and the bar (a Sprite, as he’s “going crazy tonight”, not a big drinker then…), stating that life’s too short to get pissy when things aren’t going your way. And it’s perhaps this attitude that makes Adams a hero to so many. He pours his soul out onto a record so he can go about daily life like everybody else – exactly why we find ourselves getting lost in great music. His rugged everyman poetics are beautiful enough to give the likes of Guy Garvey a run for his money (but ye gods what a collaboration that would be…).
Going to see Ryan Adams live is a combination of seeing current musical legend and future legend in waiting, because I’m sure he can only get better with time. If you’re looking for a guaranteed evening of enthralling music and lyrics delivered by a bloody cool guy, Ryan Adams is the one for you. A must see.
Kat Tittley
@LeTitts
Kate Tittley
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