Manchester’s Opera House is more renowned for, well, opera, but London folkies Noah And The Whale will take to the prestigious stage on Monday May 13 as part of a tour supporting fourth album Heart Of Nowhere.
The prolific band will take a break from their ‘Month of Sundays’ residence at London’s Palace Theatre to show-off what is their fourth long-player in just five years.
Debut album Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down, introduced the nation to their twee folk-pop stylings as hit single Five Years Time got people whistling again in the summer of 2008.
Born from the London folk scene that also spawned Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, Emmy The Great and most notably Mumford & Sons, Noah And The Whale have not been afraid to leave their folk roots behind.
Second album, The First Days of Spring, chronicled singer Charlie Fink’s breakup from Laura Marling and saw a complete re-direction in their sound.
Gone were the upbeat, sing-along melodies of their debut effort and in were wistful, melancholic epics as Charlie’s grieving process was laid bare for all to hear.
Not only did he have the breakup to recover from, but also the theft of the band’s equipment from this very city.
In September 2009, while staying in Manchester’s Park Inn hotel their trailer was stolen from the Trinity Way NCP.
With it went six guitars, a drum kit, a keyboard and an electric toothbrush.
Fortunately the equipment – both musical and dental hygienic – was recovered later that year and the band set about another change of approach for their third album.
Never one to stand still, 2011’s Last Night On Earth ushered in the life-affirming, radio-friendly, 70’s inspired AOR typified by lead single LIFEGOESON.
It would appear the band now have found their ‘sound’ though, if new single There Will Come A Time is anything to go by.
The Manchester is just a week after the May 6 release of their album and with so many catchy numbers the new material is sure to fit seamlessly into the set.
Noah And The Whale play Manchester Opera House on Monday May 13. Tickets range from £20.25 to £31.25 and are available here.
Picture courtesy of Jason Persse, via Flickr and video courtesy of Noah And The Whale Vevo, with thanks.
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