Review and Images by Jonathan Taylor

Instagram: jonathantaylorphotography

Following the release of their fifth studio album ‘Gary’, which reached number 1 in the UK album charts, Blossoms embark on a 21 date UK tour with an additional 5 dates recently announced in November playing in Manchester at some of the most iconic venues in the city including The Albert Hall and O2 Apollo.

Tonight’s stop is The Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent, and the venue is a sell out with the stage impressively draped and covered with rust orange fabric mirroring the detail of the cover sleeve artwork of the latest album.

As Blossoms take to the stage elegantly suited and booted, they are greeted with a hearty Staffordshire welcome and a wave of appreciation and applause. The set opens with standalone single ‘Girlfriend’, which is followed by fan favourite ‘I Can’t Stand It’ during which front man Tom Ogden, works the stage interacting with the crowd.

Along with such classics such as ‘The Keeper’ and ‘Honey Sweet’, the set is heavily laden with new material from the new album, with the likes of ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry’, ‘Big Star’, ‘Cinnamon’ and ‘I Like Your Look’, which all translate superbly live, are at home with the back catalogue but most importantly, hits home the bands propelling musical progression in terms of creativity and musical invention.

The encore begins with ‘Gary’, a song Ogden penned after hearing the story of a 10-foot gorilla statue that was stolen from a garden centre in Scotland. With that said, prior to the bands return, a six-foot gorilla is wheeled onto the stage which sees the crowd chanting Gary at the isolated fibreglass primate! Gathering around the front of the stage with handheld instruments, Blossoms perform ‘My Favourite Room’ which, as always ends with the inclusion of brief renditions of ‘You’re Gorgeous’ by Babybird and ‘Half the World Away’ by Oasis. The evening draws to a close with the anthemic classic ‘Charlemagne’, which sees the youthful crowd take to each other’s shoulders in an abundance and sing every word back the stage.

Blossom seemed have of mastered the perfect formula to deliver an evening of music that is celebratory, joyous, and uplifting in equal measure. That is perhaps testament to the fact the lifelong friends from Stockport have remained grounded, true to their routes and though completely focused on their craft, appreciate the importance live music and the escapism that brings.

Set List:

Your Girlfriend

I Can’t Stand It

Getaway

Oh No (I Think I’m in Love)

What Can I Say After I’m Sorry

Perfect Me

The Keeper

If You think This is Real Life

Nightclub

Cinnamon

Honey Sweet

Big Star

I Like Your Look

At Most a Kiss

Encore:

Gary

My Favourite Room

There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)

Charlemagne