Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band | Philly Moore St Michael in the Hamlet Church, Liverpool 18th August 2022

As Michael Head basks in the glory of his incredible new album, Del Pike follows him to church and takes a pew.

Tonight’s story begins in the beautiful surroundings of St Michael’s in the Hamlet Church in Liverpool’s leafy Aigburth.

Michael Head has travelled a long journey through The Pale Fountains, Shack, The Strands and now his Red Elastic Band, and finally is finding the recognition he deserves. He can’t quite believe it himself.

Back in October 1999, NME claimed on their front cover that Mick was “Our Greatest Songwriter – Recognise him?”. This claim was based on the success of Shack’s HMS Fable album, but the band failed to reach those same heights in subsequent releases.

History repeats itself in 2022 as Dear Scott, his second long player with The Red Elastic Band, has found widespread critical acclaim, topping the indie chart and hitting number six in the UK album chart, his highest chart achievement yet. A finer collection of songs would be hard to find right now, helped by the fine production of Bill Ryder-Jones, and reviews have been generous.

A national tour of unusual venues, including two nights at St Michaels is under way, and Mick is finally visiting towns across the country who have never experienced his live show before, it is guaranteed he will fill out the larger Invisible Wind Factory here at the end of the year too.

Supported by Liverpool singer/songwriter Philly Moore, the night starts well. Much like Mick, his work name-checks local locations with opener Heavy, calling in on Rock Ferry for starters.  Philly has that Liverpool folk sound that is there in so many of the city’s great bands and there are even twangs of country in songs like 265 Pages.  Taking The Good Out Of The Bad veers towards anthemic with its “It’s a long way home” refrain and closer Lost In You takes in some chilled Indian vibes not unlike The Bunnymen’s The Cutter. He’s a strong opening act with an imminent album release.

Mick enters to the expected rapturous applause that befalls local heroes and takes us on a trip through his career from Shack (sadly not the Paleys) to now.

Opening with a clutch of tracks from the last two albums, nobody is complaining and sing-a longs are not far away. Album opener Kismet is already a Head classic. Pull Together from HMS Fable throws us back in time and is followed by a beautiful two guitar acoustic suite of The Strands’ Something Like You, the new Freedom and Shack’s As Long As I Have You, all perfectly executed. The broken voice of Mick at the start of Something Like You only adds to the beauty of this fragile gem.

The mood lifts to new heights in the pews with the rousing Newby Street, dancing begins at the back led by merch man Stu. A hushed reverie falls as the opening chords of Comedy fill the room, another Fable classic, and a frantic The Human Race kicks off the dancing again. Standout track from Dear Scott, Broken Beauty, makes an appearance and there are glimpses of the past running through, a classic Mick track that touches on melodies from as far back as Pacific Street.

The atmosphere in the church is electric and Mick is genuinely excited, having to stop himself from swearing in God’s house on numerous occasions.

The Ten, a love song to a bus route, is Mick’s own Penny Lane, but the rosier sights of barbers and bankers are replaced with Stanley abattoir as the bus winds down Prescot Road. Perhaps the highlight of the night is Meant To Be, always a live favourite from Here’s Tom With The Weather. Trumpeter Martin Smith makes himself at home in the surroundings by appearing like a jack in the box from the pulpit for his Morricone solos. Hilarity ensues, a great moment.

A short encore of Shack’s Undecided is a perfect close and finally the crowd stand up and dance. In case you did forget, Michael Head is one of our greatest songwriters and this perfect set tonight proved that.

Mick is back here tomorrow night, as are probably a large proportion of tonight’s crowd.  A Michael Head gig in Liverpool is always an occasion and tonight is no exception. There is general love in the room for a genuine local hero who has never sold out and who’s heart remains firmly in his homeland. Cheers Mick, it was good to see you.

You can find Michael Head at website | Facebook | Twitter

All words by Del Pike, you can find more of at his Author profile.

Photos by Maryleen you can find her website here you can find her on Instagram here: Maryleen’s author profile is here

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