KIDS RETURN MARK THEIR MANCHESTER DEBUT WITH A STUNNING SET AT BAND ON THE WALL
It’s Kids Return’s first time performing in Manchester, supporting Oracle Sisters at Band on the Wall, and the Parisian duo deliver an atmospheric and entrancing set just hours before the release of their new album 1997.
Clement Savoye and Adrien Roze have built a reputation beyond their native France. Blending indie, BRIT pop, folk rock and orchestral influences with a distinct 1960s and 1970s flavour, their performance in Manchester backs up this reputation. It’s dynamic and immersive, hypnotic even. From the moment the duo take to the stage, the crowd is hooked. They switch seamlessly between textures and instrumentation as they deliver a set that highlights the new material from 1997 but also drop in selections from their highly acclaimed 2022 debut album Forever Melodies.
The set is filled with layered harmonies and sweeping orchestration, but also guitar riffs and driving percussion and beats. It’s the variety which keeps grabbing me. Time to Time typifies the approach – beginning in a restrained manner, with acoustic guitar taking prominence before expanding into a more textured and expressive arrangement. The band’s ability to build and release tension becomes a defining feature of the evening.
Perfect Lover brings a whimsical energy, with Savoye and Roze encouraging the audience to wave their hands in time. The crowd responds enthusiastically, fully engaged in the evolving soundscape. The duo’s harmonies remain precise and emotive throughout (as they do for the whole set).
As the duo chat with the crowd been songs, there’s a shout of ‘formidablé’ from one enthusiastic fan. He’s absolutely right, and the rest of the crowd know it. And it certainly brings a smile to Clement Savoye and Adrien Roze’s faces.
A highlight of the evening arrives with Melody. It’s stripped-back and allows the audience to join in a stirring singalong. The intimate arrangement provides a contrast to the more dramatic moments in the set, demonstrating the band’s range and emotional depth. Who Knows? then introduces a rockier edge, featuring soaring vocal touches and intricate guitar work that brings another shift in dynamics.
The performance is spot on throughout. They close the set with My Hero. It’s a stunning end to what is, by all measures, a stunning set and hopefully the first of many Manchester gigs to come.
image of Kids Return courtesy Matthieu Fortin and Chuffmedia.com
