American electropop singer Toro Y Moi’s first visit to Manchester since playing the now-demolished Sound Control saw him take on the newly reborn New Century. If there was any pressure, he handled it with aplomb.
Most artists would likely consider it a disservice to begin a review of their show with an emphatic endorsement, not of their performance but of the venue.
Particularly a singer as polished and professional as Toro Y Moi. Having gained prominence over a decade ago during 2009’s “summer of chillwave”, he has felt ever-present since — though a UK appearance is notably rare.
But New Century only reopened less than a month ago and has hosted a mere handful of gigs this century, so there was a palpable sense of curiosity as well as excitement as the crowd filtered in on Thursday, October 13th for this sold-out show, the first to be announced by promoters Now Wave back in April.
Briefly then, the venue: it’s magnificent. Promotional photos have focused on the hundreds of lights adorning the ceiling and it’s true that these are impressive pre-gig as a sort of ‘screensaver’.
But it really comes into its own when they come down and the concert lights – seemingly coming from all areas, including a lighting rig looming over the crowd – immerse the audience in the live music experience, the wood-panelled walls and floor adding a touch of class to a venue which self-consciously blends modernity with tradition.
And what an enjoyable live experience it was. It feels harsh to say, but there was concern that Chaz Bear and co. might lean too heavily into the perfectly palatable but frequently forgettable MAHAL, Toro Y Moi’s latest album.
Indeed, with the first five songs of the set all MAHAL tracks, and only The Loop and Postman (the album’s first two singles) really going anywhere – keyboard solo here, guitar solo there – the worry at first seemed justified.
But then, as the crowd began to warm up, came 2017’s Girl Like You, and this transitioned into a joyous cover of Daft Punk’s Doin’ it Right, and suddenly New Century became a nightclub, gentle swaying became dancing, and the audience knew they were in safe hands.
From here, Bear never dropped the ball. Monte Carlo, from the generally excellent Outer Peace (2019) was given a lease of life it doesn’t have in the studio version and Say That and Ordinary Pleasure both inspired singalongs which seemed to embolden both Bear and his band, closely positioned together centre-stage.
Certainly performed live, chillwave – the genre Toro Y Moi is frequently described as a vanguard of – lives or dies on its ability to keep the listener interested, and awareness of this was reflected in his choice to include more clubby songs as the set progressed.
Not many of his songs lend themselves to mass participation, so it was testament to the genuine delight generated that by the time the more accessible Who I am, Flume collaboration The Difference (who knew “ooo”s could be so catchy?) and Freelance closed the night, everyone in this pristine venue was singing and dancing.
There was nothing truly extraordinary here but very little, equally, to criticise. Fans of Toro Y Moi will surely now find themselves fans of this excellent gig space.
Anybody who came on a whim to sample New Century might just have left a slo-mo synth-pop (and more!) enthusiast.
A perfect combination then, and a fun job well done.
