12 December 2006 (gig)
23 December 2006
It’s fallen through already for Marion. The Macclesfield band reformed this year, well the important two did anyway (frontman Jaime Harding and guitarist Phil Cunningham) plus three new ones, and only a few songs in they’re forced to briefly exit stage left while the drumkit is fixed; Jaime complaining about the audience’s lack of enthusiasm on the way out. "And when we come back on, fucking dance!" he rants. Luckily it’s not a tough crowd - albeit sedate - as if you weren’t here in 1996 chances are you’re not here now awaiting glorious indie nostalgia.
And Marion Mark II do satisfy their old fans with some reminders of wasted youth: 'Let’s All Go Together' and live favourite 'Time' are greeted with much love and participation, though an impromptu rendition of debut album track 'Your Body Lies' courtesy of girls in the crowd doesn’t transfer to the stage. Really it's new songs aplenty tonight, most of which sound like the band have pretty much picked up where they left off and, more importantly, are proof they’re not just reminiscing. So for the audience members caught off on a tangent, tracks like 'Sparkle', 'Crystal Blue' and 'Oh Lord' pull them back to appreciate their favourite band from 'daze' gone by are older and wiser, despite looking very much the same. Ah Jaime 'cheekbones' Harding; not one to disappoint the eyes... or ears in fact as his distinctive vocals are fortunately as strong as ever.
The encore brings about some missing zest as the band present a heavier, rockabilly vibe and revive their confidence with a Hives-esque groove. A crowd eruption ensues as the unmistakable taunts of Jaime’s harmonica lead into early single 'Sleep' and they close on the classic. He sings, "if you believe your dreams will come true, then sleep is all you’ll ever do" so for the hardcores Marion amassed in the 90s, all this must be quite a nice wake-up call.
Obviously history can’t repeat itself but it’s a low-key - and welcome - return for a band who appear to have more up their sleeves than you’d first assume actually. Marion fans Mark II get ready...
