There are very few things that can lift the spirits on a rainy, miserable Monday night in Manchester, but watching Waxahatchee (aka Katie Crutchfield) in the majestic surroundings of the Albert Hall is one of them.
A packed, sweaty house and a pleasure for everyone there. Katie’s wonderful 6th record “Tigers Blood” was released to acclaim last year, with a summer concert at New Century Hall to celebrate. Less than 12 months later we have Waxahatchee and her excellent backing group back in town and playing for us again.
The evening got off to an impressive start with Merce Lemon and band on stage. We heard rousing guitars, tender vocals and a Bonnie “Prince” Billy cover (“I see a Darkness“), an atmospheric moment, soothing what the air conditioning could not. I enjoyed this collection of songs very much and will be looking out for more.
A little while later, Waxahatchee enters the stage, to the refrains of Dolly singing “Here I Am”. And here she was indeed. Waxahatchee, that is, not Dolly.
The opening song “3 Sisters”, is one of several performed from the latest album and Katie’s amazing voice gets everyone the right side of excited and relaxed for the set. Just before the fourth song, “Can’t Do Much”, the lights briefly flash on stage and Waxahatchee greets the crowd, telling us it’s good to be back in Manchester. We can only agree, and we do, loudly.
It isn’t long before we are treated to “Right Back to It”, a single from “Tigers Blood” and my favourite song of last year. The great Waxahatchee songs and vocals keep on coming with “Mud“, “Witches” and “Ruby Falls” from previous record “Saint Cloud”.
There’s so much other stuff to enjoy on the night too – including two Plains songs, “Problem With It” and “Hurricane”, from Katie’s collaboration record with Jess Williamson: “I Walked With You a Ways”, released in 2022. There’s also a Kathleen Edwards cover “Six O’Clock News”, a terrific and unexpected highlight. Then we have a rather incredible version of “Lilacs” and an encore, which includes “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Fire“, two more excellent tracks from the latest release.
A beautiful night for sure and Katie Crutchfield is clearly welcome anytime in town. I’ll be there next time for certain, come Manchester rain or drizzle.
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Review by Glenn Cobane
Photography by Breige Cobane
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