Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
1 October 2006

Earlier this year I reviewed Imogen Heap’s SPEAK FOR YOURSELF album proclaiming it as a ‘pop masterpiece.’ Frankly, its quality took a few plays to sink in, but when it did it was akin to a musical revelation. Now I knew that Heap was pretty special but have never been able to pin her down – until now. On the strength of this glorious record I estimated that she would, at a relatively young age, receive worldwide recognition and by the most challenging territory of all – the USA. Heap has indeed succeeded on all fronts and she’s achieved it with artistic invention and skill in a UK scene that remains largely mediocre and homogenous.

In August at the V Festival I was able to ‘put meat on bones’ when I witnessed my first Heap live show. I was blown away, as was everybody who saw it in that tent surrounded by mud and thousands of discarded drink containers. She had played the show solo and in a short set was unable to reprise some of the album’s rockier tunes. Then the invitation arrived to attend her performance at Manchester’s fabulous Bridgewater Hall. The prospect of seeing Heap with a full band, in a show lasting nearly two hours, promised much including of course the likelihood that all album tracks would be played. From the V performance I knew that I was in for not only a musical feast but a visual one. And sure enough on surveying the magnificent auditorium prior to the show I was greeted by a stage set akin to a magical wonderland complete with a see-through grand piano, hollowed out to accommodate what seemed to be dozens of electronic gizmos and keyboards.

As I went back out to the foyer I noticed just how diverse the sell-out audience was. There were young and older teens, uni students, middle-aged – in fact several generations of music lovers. Supporting Heap were two bands including the act chosen by her from a MySpace competition for the Bridgewater hall gig. Heap opened the show by introducing Island Lost At Sea who she had only managed to contact the day before in the Lake District where the band was recording its first single. The three-piece seemed overwhelmed (unsurprisingly) by the grandiose surroundings of the hall, but eventually settled down to provide an enchanting short set of folk-rock songs which the friendly Manchester crowd greeted with enthusiastic applause. I was impressed with the lead vocalist and songs which were simple but distinctive.

Then it was the turn of London prog rock band Nemo that supports Heap at just about every show. Heap again introduced the band who she also explained would be joining her for several songs during her set. While I’ll admit that I’m not a fan of their style of music I’ll freely acknowledge the guys performed several decent songs with authority and skill. It was also a powerful and passionate performance from a band performing in Manchester for the very first time. The audience loved them but for me their finest hour arrived later when performing with Heap…

I was secure in the knowledge that I was about to witness a great Heap performance but I was not prepared for a show that would slide comfortably into my list of the 5 best shows I have ever witnessed in many years of concert coverage. Squatting down below the front of the stage I had extreme difficulty in framing good photos without obstructing the view of front seat paying punters. The stage set didn’t help much either but this was designed for musical thrills not intrusive photographers…