Stepping back into the limelight with a more grown-up sound, The Feeling return to Manchester to showcase their new album Boy Cried Wolf.
The fans that packed out Manchester Academy 2 were treated to a mixture of new songs alongside polished classics such as Sewn and Fill My Little World.
Formed in 1995, The Feeling consists of eclectic showman Dan Gillespie Sells, bassist Richard Jones, guitarist Kevin Jeremiah, pianist Ciaran Jeremiah and drummer Paul Stewart.
Blue Murder opened the evening and struck a particular chord with the crowd, who clamoured to the front in an attempt to get closer to their idols. This particular song provides supporters with a new gravity, especially for anyone who has ever been heartbroken.
With a legion of age-varied fans, the band’s rendition of their radio-staple Fill My Little World had the audience singing along with more vigour than a soprano.
Mid-set, Freddie Mercury esque Dan told the audience ‘this is a completely different ball game for us now’, in reference to the band’s departure from Universal Records.
The Feeling are older and arguably wiser but unlike previous material, Boy Cried Wolf lacks the ability to create the same buzz as their early 2000’s material due to the melancholy tone across the album.
The peppy and upbeat lyrics of former records is long gone and in their place are a deeper more morose prose.
New song Rescue did make its mark on the venue, with its soft rock sound alongside the repetitive use of the word ‘lonely’. Accompanied by a familiar jaunty use of a piano, Rescue is invasive yet beautiful, a true goose-bump inducer.
While new album Boy Cried Wolf does make an impressive attempt to capture fan’s affections and is both an intrepid, meaningful and harmonious piece of lyrical work, it will only be a true album-pleaser for loyal fans.
Inevitably The Feeling’s older tracks such as Never Be Lonely and Love It When you Call will remain the favourites that the crowd will wait patiently for.
Interview with The Feeling’s Richard Jones:
Prior to the gig, MM had the chance to speak to The Feeling’s bassist, Richard Jones.
In comparing The Feeling’s older material in comparison to Boy Cried Wolf, Richard told MM: “It’s different now as we’re more grown up and slightly more grown up subject matter, a lot of songs on Twelve Stops and Home were written when we were in our early twenties.
“I think this album is in closest to Twelve Stops and Home in terms of consistency. Our second and third albums they had a lot of involvement with other people, this record (Boy Cried Wolf) feels more consistent to us as who we are as a band.”
A grounded Richard who grew up in East Sussex, said: “I’m happy to play anywhere, we’ve been very fortunate to play everywhere from little bars to playing at the Apollo a few times here but none is better than the other really, if you’ve got a room full of people who love what you do, it’s always amazing.”
The 34-year-old later admitted to MM that the biggest thing he misses on tour is his three sons and wife, Sophie Ellis-Bextor who he’s been married to since 2005.
Richard, who counts himself extremely fortunate to be part of the brit-nominated band, told MM: “we’re just messing around, doing a stupid hobby for a living with our mates.”
