STEALING SHEEP + TEMPLES
Deaf Institute, Manchester | December 8th
It’s a chilly evening in Manchester, but fortunately there’s a stellar line-up offering a warming embrace at the Deaf Institute. Stealing Sheep’s female power-trio continue on their tour of fantastic debut album Into the Diamond Sun, and this time they’re joined by exciting new 60s psychedelic guitar band Temples.
Last time we encountered Temples was at their very first London gig, and since then they’ve added to their line-up with a much welcomed keys-and-percussionist helping bring more vibrant instrumentation to the live show. They’ve got some excellent new songs too, featuring stunning blues riffery and dense pedal effects – the highlight being a sonic tremolo breakdown in the second number, alongside some tight improvisational trails. It was a shame that on this occasion technical difficulties left a gaping hole in the latter half of the set, but debut single Shelter Song was still a stunning climax thanks to that wonderful 60s vintage twelve-string riff, though the band’s lack of charisma/worn off Oasis attitude throughout the set was somewhat perturbing.
Stealing Sheep followed up with proof that they’re far more than just a Warpaint-ish girl collective. Set up in power-formation on stage, the lasses from Liverpool tore through a blinding set made up of tribal drumming, lo-fi, psych-folk melodies and crystal clear, pitch-perfect three-part harmonies. Singles like Genevieve and Rearrange showcased the band at their most charming, with twinkly guitar arpeggios and enchanting vocal trails over earthy drums, whilst rhythm changes spiced up the set with a jammier element. They melded superior confidence on stage and a girlish charm (they giggled a lot) to captivating effect, lit up in their dreamy oil lamp visuals. Returning after the main set for a sweet encore on acoustic guitar, they left an uplifting atmosphere in the room; smiles all around, Stealing Sheep were perfect tonight.
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Words: James Balmont
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