Live: Now Wave at the Ritz – Stephen Malkmus/Girls/Spectrals

10th November 2011

The Ritz

8/10

The Ritz can genuinely lay claim to being a historic venue; it was in this room that The Smiths performed for the first time, that the Happy Mondays honed the indie house hybrid that would take the world by storm, and that’s seen early shows from The Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys and even The Beatles. It’s bittersweet, then, to see this famous dancehall fall under corporate sponsorship; whilst the ‘HMV Ritz’ tag is difficult to adjust to, it’s hard to find negatives when the venue’s been fully refurbished and will play host to a formidable Autumn programme. Who better, then, to welcome the Ritz rebirth than Now Wave, Manchester’s finest promoters, with a typically stellar lineup.

Following on from June’s mightily impressive ‘Now Wave at the Apollo’, tonight sees a killer hat-trick sure to keep the Mancunian hipster contingent happy. First up are the ever-more-wonderful Spectrals, a lo-fi Leeds outfit who, with debut LP ‘Bad Penny’, finally deliver on the lovelorn, 1960s-inspired promise that their early shows hinted at. Next up are Girls, riding a wave of acclaim for their second full-length, including a striking 9.3/10 from indie favourites Pitchfork. That record’s hugely satisfying balance between perfect pop melodies and overstated gospel backing translates wonderfully live, whilst frontman Christopher Owens’ deeply personal lyrics pack emotional punch to an almost disconcerting extent.

Rounding off proceedings is Stephen Malkmus, who, shorn of the burden of the ultimately ill-fated Pavement reunion, has returned to his solo career with a renewed vigour that saw August’s ‘Mirror Traffic’ meet with considerable acclamation. That said, it’s a relentless ride through the Jicks back catalogue that not only wins the day here, but also hints at bright futures for both Malkmus and Now Wave themselves; an evening that not only entertained by the spade, but that promises so much more.