Liverpool Arts Club paid host to Blancmange‘s last night of their “Unfurnished Rooms” tour and the 80s synth-pop group were in fine form.
Although Neil Arthur is the only member remaining, that is more than enough for the full house in attendance. Opening up with “The Fall“, you instantly realised that Neil had lost none of his vocal depth, if anything it has become better with age. His booming, deep and dark range accompanying the rhythmic and incessant drumbeat.
Following the opening song we were treated with a mix of new and old material. A new song in the form of “In your Room” showcasing the lyrics and sound that they have become so famous for. Although Neil did sing the same verse twice and did make a note of informing the crowd in case they hadn’t already noticed. “And I bleeding wrote it” he mused.
Neil is very much the centre of the entertainment and his relaxed style and chat between each song makes the gig feel a lot more intimate although after “Game above my head” he did make an observation regarding members of the audience filming and photographing. “I am all for people wanting to have memories and something to look back on but live in the moment. Put down the phones and watch with your own eyes and enjoy” he advised to which the audience responded with a rapturous applause.
Continuing with crowd favourites like “Waves” and “What’s the Time” it was inevitably “Living on the ceiling” which had the crowd jumping and hollering. Chanting and waving their arms at the band, it almost became a day out on the football terraces. But one thing that stood out is how well that track still stands up even now.
Finishing, before their encore, with “Blind Vision” (another song I had totally forgotten about until I heard it again).
The encore consisted of the Abba cover “The day before you came“. It is in this song, that you truly get to see the depth of feeling and emotion Neil Arthur can conjure with his vocals alone. You could cut the air with a knife as the lyrics soared over the accompanying lone keyboard and then, in completely stark contrast, taking you into their final song the 1985 hit “Don’t tell me”
Reminiscent gig such as this is allow the audience to re-live past feelings and emotions associated with tracks and for others, like myself, to realise the music created by the bands such as Blancmange still attract a huge and admiring crowd and that they will continue to influence future artists as they have with so many already. It allows you to appreciate the immense talent of songwriters such as Neil Arthur and to leave the venue uplifted and enriched.