REVIEW : Perfume Genius at Gorilla

Friday nights are usually full of drinking and rowdiness. But one of Manchester’s most loved venues, Gorilla, took a different approach last Friday night (3^rd November). Crowds of people awaited the entrance of American musician, Perfume Genius.

Upon taking to the stage in an elegant manner, the first few notes of Otherside were played. Immediately the crowd fell silent. As if you could hear a pin drop. The lullaby tones of this track sent the crowd into a state of tranquillity, almost as if you were in a dream. A very sweet dream.

Following the dreamy tones of the first song, they went into two tracks from their previous 2014 album, Too Bright. Firstly, Longpig, a more upbeat synthesized track which provided a change of pace. The track reached a climax mid-way through which grabbed the audience’s attention, along with the neon lights that mimicked the beat of the song.  The track and the lights combined made it feel as though you were in a space age film, in some sort of trance.

Following Longpig, Fool was played. This track got the crowd going and saw the first sense of interaction between frontman Mike Hadreas and the audience. The fans on this track sung the lyrics back to Hadreas as if they too felt the pain and longing embedded in the song.

With a mix of songs from the last few albums being played, Hadreas debuted a cover which was originally released by them in August of this year at a Spotify session in NYC. They covered the 1988 track by Mary Margaret O’Hara, Body’s In Trouble. Hadreas’ rendition of this took the 80’s track to a darker more stripped down level. With deeper chords being struck on the piano, with haunting vocals being laid over the top. Chills were sent through the room at this moment in time.

One of the stand out moments from the night is when fan favourite, Slip Away, was played. From the first few seconds the crowd recognised the track and all joined in for the first verse. Shouting back to Hadreas “don’t look back, I want to break free” the crowd sung along to every word. The moment filled everyone with Goosebumps as this upbeat song circled the room. Perfume Genius only proving that some of the saddest songs can also be the happiest and provide people with immense joy.

After leaving the stage momentarily the crowd weren’t ready for it to be over. An encore was highly anticipated. And an encore was what they got. Taking to the stage with just themselves and a piano, Hadreas proceeded to play Hood. The track opened with the sorrowful vocals of “you would never call me baby, if you knew me truly”. This track is not only one of the most heart-breaking songs on the 2012 album Put Your Back N 2 It, but is one of the most emotional songs they have ever written. The crowd yet again were mesmerised and caught up in the moment with all eyes on Mike Hadreas.

The set ended with Queen, with Hadreas pouncing round the stage owning every single moment. The crowd cheered one last time as they left the stage. The lights came up and everyone came out of the bubble that they were encapsulated in for the hour and a half set. The energy was incredible and there was an overwhelming sense of love in the room, which is something that Perfume Genius will always share.