December 13th 2023 – The Joiners, Southampton
Supported by: Beattie
It had a been a long while since I’d heard anything about Spector. Probably Reading Festival circa 2012? They’ve not even brought an album out for seven years, but they have now. The minute I saw the advert that they were at The Joiners, I was in!!! Also, a bit surprised they hadn’t gone for bigger venues, but I guess if you’ve been away a while….will the people return?
It was a cold December night, but I was hoping to be warmed up this evening in this small, dark venue. All of that I love about this place (only came here a week or so ago for the first time to see The Bottom Line).
Beattie
First up a band I knew nothing about, Beattie from London. Not sure house you classify this music. A bit melodramatic, great moody, warbly voice and gentle pop sound. I guess indie meets Evanescence meets experimental. Really tuneful, but generally a bit slow for me, but I could see me sitting at home with this on in the background.
Spector
The Joiners is a tiny venue and I was standing near the door where the band come in from to set up and also when they’re ready to come on stage. So I got first sign of Fred (lead singer) coming in wearing a long dark coat. It’s December, but it won’t be cold in here if as I hope Spector are on form.
The open with the slow building anthemic “An American Warehouse in London”. A great start with swirling keyboards, thumping drums and bass, matched with Fred’s beautiful deep vocal. A great song to welcome all performers and their instruments to the stage.
The band is: Fred Macpherson (vocals), Jed Cullen (guitar), Danny Blandy (keyboards), and Nicolas Py (drums)
Fred stalks around the stage, maybe warming himself up, “Driving Home For Halloween” is a belter and we’re all warming up and the dancing has started. He’s engaging well with the crowd and smiling like he’s glad to be back! Jen Sanin’s bass and harmony vocals are a brilliant addition to the songs.
Spector are showcasing their new album, “Here Come the Early Nights” so plenty of new songs. Slower in style to the back catalogue, but Fred doesn’t disappoint as he adds in a few tracks from each album too.
Half Life is intro’d by Fred playing a keyboard to gently ease us into the some. This is a beautiful, melody where the bass layers up with the drums and vocals. Then Jed adds a layer of guitar as the singalong chorus arrives. I’m surprised how many in the crowd know the lyrics word for word (not me – lol). The singalong continues with “Stay High”. Then the new “Funny Way of Showing It” brings the mood right down, but even this is a high energy bubbly sound.
“All of the World is Changing” is probably the most lively track off the new album (with “Halloween….”) and gets the crowd mesmerised once more. I’d like to see it kick off more than it does, but it keeps you guessing and allows for some in time bouncing.
After a bit more slowness, we’re back to the good old times with the upbeat “Twenty Nothing” and “Celestine”. The crowd goes wild – me included! – and finally we get to “Chevy Thunder”. Fred’s in his element now and has the crowd in the palm of his hand. Time to jump off stage into the pit (it doesn’t take that much from this stage) and make us duck down as he takes the vocals right down low and quiet mixing in “Never Fade Away” before returning to “Chevy Thunder”. Fred’s still enjoy it in the crowd. Brilliant.
It’s slowed right down again. It’s as if Spector know we all need a break these days. The gig ends with “The Notion” fully showing off the fantastic voice Fred has. Then finishing with “All The Sad Young Men” cue phone lights and the Spector choir (which be us).
What a return to the stage for these guys. The only question is how on earth have they not taken off with a bigger audience. Maybe don’t leave it seven years again 😉 but with a new baby, it maybe Fred is playing a balancing act right now.
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