Manchester Academy 3, 12 April 2004.

Earlier this year I received Melissa Auf Der Maur’s self-titled debut album and was impressed with its diversity and original content. It was also interesting to note that this ex-Hole and Smashing Pumpkins guitarist was helped by several notable musicians including Chris Goss, Josh Homme and James Ida. Now I happen to know that these guys only work with people they like and respect as musicians, which made this particular gig one that I really wanted to see.

Supporting last night were The Living Things, a rock band I have neither seen nor heard although a couple of press reviews I’d read were encouraging. As I approached the Manchester University building on a Bank Holiday Monday, it appeared deserted save for one or two stragglers wandering into the rather ugly post-war building. The same old band of ticket touts were there asking for and offering tickets for the show. I wondered if they would make any money on this very quiet night. But on entering the building the window stickers proclaimed ‘Auf Der Maur – SOLD OUT.’ The Academy 3 is the smallest of the Union’s venues but still accommodates around four-hundred punters, so it was possible that this was a genuine claim, but where were everybody? I was to discover the answer to that question within minutes.

Photo pass secured I found the Union bar closed due to the Bank Holiday and proceeded up the desolate staircase to the building’s third floor and the venue. Hell! It was packed; an oasis of smoke, sweat and noise in a deserted building. Melissa wasn’t due to perform for at least another seventy-five minutes but fans had obviously come early to secure spots in front of the small stage. Now this fascinated me because there hasn’t been a lot of hype and virtually no airplay – so why, how? Perhaps the answers lie in word-of-mouth and the Internet, who knows?

At eight o’clock The Living Things slipped quietly onto the darkened stage and provided thirty minutes of punkish, melodic rock that gave the crowd something to shout about. I was impressed with every aspect of their passionate, fluid performance, and especially with a song that followed the leadman’s burning of a President Bush photo. I made a mental note to find out more about a band who set the scene wonderfully for the lead act.

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The picture which featured on the front of the pre-release album turned out to match the actuality to perfection. Melissa looked wonderful in tight jeans, wide leather belt, high-heeled boots and flimsy top. She’s an attractive, slim young lady with tousled hazel hair and with all the looks of a ‘rock chick’. Supporting her were a drummer, keyboard player, and two other guitarists, one of which was female who I recognised but couldn’t place.

It was guitarist Kim who played the thrashing and long introductory chords to opener Lightning Is My Girl, one of my favourite songs from the album. Drums started to make their presence felt and continued to provide a superb backdrop to Melissa’s surprisingly good vocal, and all the songs played. It took just minutes to confirm to me that Melissa Auf Der Maur and her band are a bit special.

Julien, the other guitarist, introduced the next song Beast Of Honour with a short burst of guitar magic while Melissa seductively pounced on the song with another strong vocal, while sharing in guitar duties. I became obvious that rock music is in this lady’s blood and it seemed to me that it is a second or possibly first language for her. Superb. It also seemed to be a very democratic group of musicians as this time keyboards opened the next fabulous song, Real A Lie. Melissa’s voice travelled the scale, one minute whispering and the next soaring into space. Wonderful choruses and harmonies completed another excellent rock ballad.

Doom laden guitars introduced the next song, My Foggy Notion, and by that point Melissa was in full flow, chatting and proved that she is also one of those rare artists who is a natural, sincere communicator - the complete artist. The audience lapped it up and proceeded to show their enthusiasm and admiration which became stronger with each subsequent song. Head Unbound opened with a relentless, angry drum rhythm and a deathly guitar strum followed by another killer vocal performance. More album tracks came and went with, Taste You, Would If I Could and the slow, contemplative Overpower Thee.

Then another change of pace with the rampant rock ditty Skin Receiver that builds and builds with devastating drum beats and a calculating Melissa vocal. I’ll Be Anything You Want is next up and could so easily dent the single chart with its bouncing beat, massive melody, seductive vocal and radio-friendly vibe.

Melissa then introduced a song from a favourite Canadian band that she explained had been overlooked before departing the stage for the wings, awaiting the inevitable demands for an encore. My final memory of this fabulous performance will be Melissa on her own on the stage performing Followed The Waves. By this point I had slid into the side of the stage next to the sound man and had packed my camera gear away. With lights dimmed and Melissa about to launch into a solo song, I grabbed my camera out of my bag to take a couple of parting shots.

Melissa’s live performance added vibrant and rockier meat to the bones of a fine debut album. She is able to interpret (physically and vocally) the mood and message of her songs to perfection. She is a special performer who completely hooked her audience, and provided solid, exciting evidence of a star in the making. This was a highlight of the live performances seen so far in 2004, and one I won’t easily forget.