It’s rare that I anticipate or think about a gig months in advance, but for this week’s incredible double header of Midlake and Sufjan Stevens I’ve been counting down the days since I bought my tickets way back in August…

Tonight saw the mighty Midlake play the Manchester Academy 3 (Sufjan plays tomorrow downstairs at the Academy 2). I’ve hammered Midlake’s album – The Trials Of Van Occupanther – to death this year. It’s a definite contender for my album of the year, and one that gets better with each listen. Lush orchestral arrangements and a real pathos about it… it feels like a classic album from the 70s/80s… Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, (with a bit of Flaming Lips and Grandaddy thrown into the mix)

And talking of the mix, this is perhaps where tonight’s gig was a slight letdown… Before I’d even stepped foot into the venue I’d already given this show 10/10 in my head. I guess it was always going to be hard to reproduce the album live onstage with just 5 band members. The vocals at time seemed buried under the bass heavy sound, and the absense of a live violinist or trombonist, for me, meant the difference between this being a classic show and just a great gig. I’ve probably give it around 7.5/10 but I’d love to see them again

Here’s a couple of wonky photos from the audience:

• 20061101 Midlake – Manchester Academy 3