REVIEW: Nick Mulvey

Live: Nick Mulvey

30^th October, Manchester Cathedral, 8/10

Manchester Cathedral is a beautiful location that would boost any performance. The stained glass high ceilings create perfect acoustics for singer-songwriter’s with guitars. But Nick Mulvey raised the bar on Thursday night with a gig that seduced new fans and satisfied Manchester’s devotees.

Delivering crowd pleasers such as ‘Fever to the Form’, ‘Cucurucu’ and ‘I Don’t Want to go Home’, Mulvey played with as much enthusiasm as a new artist and produced as a show of such quality as a musician who’s been gigging for years. Laced with bouncy bass and quirky percussion, Mulvey was playing with his handpicked band; a collective of fantastic musicians with keys, drums, bass, double bass, and a ukele. The level of musical talent is perhaps surprising given the easygoing feeling of the records. Yes, Mulvey’s voice is beautiful, but the real magic was found in the soft melodies of Spanish guitar that strongly echo his studies of music in Cuba. There is no doubt that he is a serious musician.

The reverb on the guitar for ‘Juramidum’ and heavy riff went hand in hand to bolster Mulvey’s performance. Finally we are treated to a cover of the Drake song ‘Hold On, We’re going Home’ and Mulvey leaves the stage to ecstatic applause, with a big grin on his face. The support act, Sivu, is also worth a shout out. A fantastic singer called Lucy resolved Sivu’s husky notes, and the duo provided a great warm up to Mulvey’s show.

Mulvey’s album First Mind came out in May, and since then he has been touring internationally, having made the jump from rising to star to fully-fledged artist. Having left the group, Portico Quartet, Mulvey’s position as a singer-songwriter is relatively fresh. Yet, it’s safe to say that it suits him. Mulvey’s found his calling, and the future is looking super bright.