The Delays - Live In Manchester
[Manchester Academy 3]

Tonight sees the return of Delays after their postponed slot in the autumn, and the release of their debut album over two years ago. Since then they've opened up to experimentation, their new material incorporating more synthesisers, keyboards and dance beats working alongside vocalist Greg Gilbert's trademark honeyed tones.

With a late entrance due to a Top Of The Pops appearance and conspicuous technical difficulties, tonight, luck is not on the Delays side. However, they prove their mettle by shrugging this off and starting over when technology fails them halfway through new single 'Valentine'.

The set is a mixture of tracks from debut album Faded Seaside Glamour and new release You See Colours. Showing no signs of fatigue after a hectic evening, Delays tirelessly work on the crowd with past hits 'Long Time Coming' and 'Hey Girl'. New material including 'Sink Like A Stone' and 'Out Of Nowhere' is just as enthusiastically received.

Delays prove their capability to master both delicate ballads and beat-drenched floor fillers as they play tracks such as crowd-pleasing encore 'Stay Where You Are', and the transcendental 'Nearer than Heaven' which overwhelms the intimate Academy walls.

The highlights of the set are Gilbert's acoustic solo performance of 'Bedroom Scene', and the resonant, atmospheric 'Wanderlust'. Tonight Delays truly make their presence felt, and show their steer towards a more dance-oriented sound to be an adventurous but ultimately successful step forward.