Eels, Bridgewater Hall, gig review: 'Cathartic'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When it comes to describing their music, Mark Oliver Everett knows better than anyone. “Sweet, soft bummer rock” he calls it. Eels, who have just released their eleventh album, might be on to something of a downer it is true, but it is an exquisite gloom they cast.
Everett’s voice, halting, croaky, wistful, leads a music that sparkles in the crystal clear sound of the Bridgewater Hall. Double bass, glockenspiel, kettle drum, piano, cornet and steel pedal guitar weave a pleasing tapestry upon which the central themes of loss and longing are relived.
There is a unique nostalgic, half-remembered feel to the songs – half a dozen from the latest album The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett and a smattering of highlights from their prodigious back catalogue.
The sense of peeling back memories is heightened by bookending the show between two tender covers – When You Wish Upon a Star to start and Can’t Help Falling in Love as part of a second encore.
Always more popular in the UK than in his native US, Everett descends to the crowd to issue consoling hugs at the show’s climax.
Although there is a brief interlude midway when the band raise the tempo the prevailing mood is mournful. Yet despite being such a bummer, it is a cathartic experience.
Touring UK to 19 June.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments