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Kosheen Live Review @ Academy [1, 2, 3 and Club Academy] (Manchester) - 17 Sep 2007

Kosheen

Live Review

Four months after their last appearance in Manchester and Kosheen are back, but why so soon you ask? Well, numerous delays to the release of their album Damage meant their last appearance could only be a chance to preview unreleased material. Now Overkill has finally made it to the shelves, and what better way to celebrate, than to unleash it on an adoring live audience. The release rewarded the outfit with an upgrade to the larger of the intimate venues, which proved a successful move, as the crowd began growing in numbers as the start of the show came ever nearer to hear the material that had been on their CD players for weeks.

The energetic Damage set the mood for the highly anticipated set, oozing colossal momentum, and favourite Resist saw a huge release of inhibitions, the crowd being unable to well, resist writhing to the infectious beats and soaring sounds emanating around the venue. A mid-set break settled the pace for a wind down, before rattling along full throttle soon after with Slip and Slide (Suicide) to get the crowd moving once more, led by mighty and animated vocals courtesy of the enthusiastic vocalist, Sian Evans. Empty Skies packed a punch, with it's cocktail of pop, dance and booming bass lines. It was down to Catch to create the biggest commotion of the night, as a rousing cheer arose at the first notes. The crowd was already dancing even before the resounding pop beats kicked in and the noise that echoed around the venue clarified that this and hugely popular Hungry was the sing-along they had been waiting for.

Wish ended the hour and a quarter long set with a heart and soul fuelled performance, the memories of which will last well beyond the bus journey home.

Welcome back, Kosheen.

Katherine Tomlinson