Blossoms returned to their roots on Wednesday night (August 5) with a special intimate show at The Deaf Institute in Manchester, playing to just 250 fans to mark the tenth anniversary of their Mercury-nominated debut album. The Stockport indie heroes proved they are now true masters of their craft, etching their name into Greater Manchester music folklore.
A decade of success
It seems strange to describe Blossoms as indie veterans. It feels like only yesterday that the five baby-faced lads from Stockport burst onto the scene with their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. But exactly a decade has flown by since then, and they now have four number one albums, several whopping hometown shows, and scores of huge festival slots under their belts.
In just a few months, they will embark on an arena tour, playing to tens of thousands each night, to mark the release of their latest record, Songs from the Wedding Cake, which comes out in October. But on this night, they went back to their roots at the beloved venue just off Oxford Road.
Nostalgic setlist
Lead singer Tom Ogden looked every inch the established rock star as he walked on stage, strapped on his guitar, grabbed the mic, and simply said 'good evening' before kicking into Charlemagne. Still their best-known and most-loved song, it is normally reserved as their set closer, but tonight it got an unusually early airing as the opening track of the record, which has aged like a fine wine and which they proceeded to play in full.
The legendary opening keyboard chimes sent the crowd into a frenzy, with no let-up as At Most a Kiss, Getaway, and Honey Sweet prompted further sweaty singalongs in the baking hot room. Ogden looked almost Lennon-esque as he sat bathed in pink light for a rare airing of the keyboard ballad Onto Her Bed.
Deep cuts and surprises
After the album closer Deep Grass, there was the treat of some 'deep cuts' – songs that pre-date their first record – of which You Pulled a Gun on Me and Across the Moor were particular highlights. After a short encore, their two latest singles, the funky, disco-infused Joke About Divorce and Meet Me in Love, showed just how much they have matured and branched out.
There was a surprise appearance on the latter from fellow indie pin-up boy Declan McKenna, who also played the solo on the as-yet unreleased Additional Driver, which Ogden co-wrote with McKenna. Ogden revealed the song was inspired by him crashing his car at the Apollo roundabout in Ardwick and losing his wife's no-claims bonus, with a fan asking for a selfie as he spoke to the police. There was a nod to their hometown in the line 'I should have got the 192.'
A night to remember
The night peaked with the closing trio of Your Girlfriend, There's A Reason Why, and Gary, which saw the band in full flow and the room a wall of joyous, ear-splitting sound. They truly are at the peak of their powers. 'See you in 10 years,' Ogden said before they slid off stage. By then, who knows what they will have achieved. But on tonight's evidence, there is much more to come.
