The Joy Formidable [Live] @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

**Heron** · 04:16 PM

I’ve been to a lot of gigs in my life, the standard of which has varied greatly. I’ve seen works of genius from living legends, experienced sheer boredom from artists who should never be unleashed on the public, and just about everything in-between. Concentrating on the gigs that were memorable for all the right reasons though, I’ve seen some mightily impressive performances from ‘alternative rock’ bands, not least the greatest of them all - Pixies. Never before though have I witnessed a band so powerful, so in tune and just so goddam impressive at such an early stage of their existence as The Joy Formidable.

That their intense power is generated by just the three people (singer/guitarist Ritzy Bryan, bassist Rhydian Dafydd, and drummer Matt Thomas) perhaps shouldn’t be as surprising as it first seems. After all, Nirvana were a dynamic force live, and Muse have been raking in awards based on their reputable live sets for years. But when you factor in that they have only been together (in this incarnation at least) for mere months, then the fact that this gig at Manchester’s Ruby Lounge already ranks as one of this writer’s favourite gigs ever, is all the more astounding.

Like the aforementioned Nirvana, the drummer is the driving force behind the band live, propelling already-fantastic songs onto another level. Thomas is a formidable talent, and whilst Grohl comparisons may be premature, there is little doubt on this gig’s evidence that such collations are achievable in the future. Propelled by such powerful rhythm, both Bryan and Dafydd set about working their own magic, producing walls of noise that firmly enclosed the audience in TJF’s world. From set opener and new single, “Whirring”, to encore closer “While the Flies”, they played all but one of the eight tracks off their stunning debut mini-album, A Balloon Called Moaning, all gems that their fans clearly hold dear. However we were also treated to a couple of new tracks in “The Everchanging Spectrum of a lie” and “Blackfriars Greyhounds”, both every bit as impressive as anything they have produced so far (they hope to record their debut album ‘proper’ this year, so this bodes well).

The set highlight though was the sublime “The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade”, which is without question a contender for track of the year. From Dafydd’s brilliant opening synthesised bass line to Bryan’s enchanting vocals, the song’s atmosphere just pours over you, bristling the hairs on the back of your neck as it passes – it is music at its most affecting. And this is what The Joy Formidable do; they affect people. Those who have experienced their music and now hold them dear, do so with love and loyalty that is invoked by very few bands. This gig was just another reason to love and be loyal.

Set List:

Whirring
Cradle
The Last Drop
Ostrich
The Everchanging Spectrum of a Lie
Anemone
Austere
Blackfriars Greyhounds
The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade

Encore

While the Flies

Leave a Comment | Kudos

Heron · Comment Posted on: June 13, 2009, 10:23 AM

By the way, thanks to TJF über-fan Catshoe for that picture.

mark191082 · Comment Posted on: June 13, 2009, 10:48 AM

Your review reminded me to go back and listen to the album and I've now not had it out of my ears all week, it's up there as one of the best of 2009 without doubt!

Heron · Comment Posted on: June 16, 2009, 09:07 AM

Yeah I am still not growing tired of it.

catshoe · Comment Posted on: September 21, 2009, 10:43 PM

I just read that again seeing as it's on the feature tab.
Great review.
I can think of a number of people - friends - right now that have happened to see TJF

because Tom and I dragged them or sent them along,
because they went to see Howling Bells and got there in time to see the support,
because they were there to photograph the band but didn't really know them,
etc etc etc.

And in every case, they have more or less turned into committed followers (without wishing to make it sound like a cult).

So what we need to do is drive Ritzy and the boys round on a milk float, so they pass through crowded areas at busy times, and they will be just huge. Or perhaps we should be selfish and keep them for the cognoscenti.

Heron · Comment Posted on: September 22, 2009, 07:56 PM

Thanks Mike - I had A Balloon Called Moaning on again earlier. Still fantastic.

I do hope they do well, but not too well

Review Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Item
Rate This Item:


MUSIC & MORE: Music Artists Full Album Streams Radio Stations Charts Artist / Listener Blogs Games Arcade Browse Press Users Browse Listeners	PROFILE SIGNUP: Reader Artist Listener PROFILE LOGIN: Reader Artist Listener	PRESS: News Reviews Features Gear Altsounds TV Giveaways Community The Staffroom Site Editors	BLAND INFO: Help / FAQ About Us The Team Contact Us Promote Us Advertise Here Legal Stuff

> Home > Reviews | The Joy Formidable [Live] @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

The Joy Formidable [Live] @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Friday 5th June 2009

June 11, 2009, 03:37 PM

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#1 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

93%

Re: The Joy Formidable [Live] @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#2 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

""I will come at you like an angry badger""

Re: The Joy Formidable [Live] @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#3 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: The Joy Formidable [Live] @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#4 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: The Joy Formidable [Live] @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#5 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: The Joy Formidable [Live] @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#6 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Users Viewing This Review: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)