Hovvdy bring their ‘Big World’ to Manchester’s Deaf Institute
The Texas natives volleyed an onslaught of their indie-Americana anthems in Manchester.
Photo: Taylor Clark
Hovvdy have just released their brilliant new album Big World — what better way to celebrate than flying across the globe from Austin, Texas, to have a raucous celebration in Manchester?
The band hadn’t played any shows since the release of their sixth studio album and declared that “technically, this was their album release show” as they took to the stage at The Deaf Institute.
The duo, guitarists and singer-songwriters Charlie Martin and Will Taylor, played acoustic and put on a show that echoed classic basement-style shows where the band and audience become indistinguishable throughout the performance. It was refreshing to see a band pivot away from the sound of their recorded music to present their songs in a much barer and stripped-back fashion. If Hovvdy wanted their songs to do the talking in Manchester, then they spoke loud and clear.
Before we got to Hovvdy, we were treated to an opening performance from the Suffolk-based acoustic duo Esme Emerson. The duo is made up of siblings Esme Lee-Scott and Emerson Lee-Scott and were the perfect way to kickstart the good vibes that were flying around the room all evening. Their ethereal, acoustic-based songs sounded like the bridge between Clarity-era Jimmy Eat World and modern-day Phoebe Bridgers. Needless to say, they are emotionally resonant, endearing and super catchy. They had the crowd singing along at ease, and I think everybody is excited to hear what they come up with next.
Hovvdy took to the stage and unleashed an absolute onslaught of fan favourites from their back catalogue so relentlessly that it was hard to catch your breath. They opened with a no-nonsense hattrick of Problem, Portrait and Cathedral that had the crowd singing along with gusto right from the off.
The band were not keen on wasting any time at all and, after about thirty minutes of their hour-long set, realised they had already played the majority of their setlist. It was incredibly endearing to see two musicians enjoying playing together and being so amped up to hear an audience get so excited by their songs. It’s the best kind of feedback loop. Having to pause to reflect on what to do next seemed to remind the band that they had just released a new record and it was probably a good idea to acknowledge that fact.
When they finally got to some of their new material, there were mixed results. The band admitted they were going to have to play some songs they hadn’t practised yet due to flying through their set so quickly. They announced they were playing Big World highlight Way Down for the first time, and it was a roaring success.
Afterwards, the band were a bit ramshackle as they flubbed their way through Life So Wide and Give It Away. If that sounds like a criticism, then it really isn’t. Hovvdy were having fun and living in the moment, trying things on a whim and were certainly not afraid to fail at any point. It’s hard not to root for a band that’s not afraid to take risks and throw all order out the window in the pursuit of a good time.
Not enough bands are daring to be spontaneous nowadays and, even though the results were mixed musically, it was a real treat to see Hovvdy playing around on stage. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t supposed to be. Afterwards, an audience member requested they play new song JJ, to which the band willingly obliged. Everybody laughed as they commented afterwards that “it went better than the songs they actually had practised.”
The band finished up with old classics True Love and Blindsided, and there was no doubt that everyone went home having had an absolute blast. It might not have been perfect but, if live music can’t be fun, then what’s the point? Hovvdy were able to capture a communal spirit and, when you combine that with a bit of unpredictability and their mammoth collection of incredible indie Americana anthems, you are simply on to a winner.
