Mercury Rev

There may be a nip in the air this cool Autumn evening, although nothing but a warm and fuzzy feeling is circulating within the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, thanks to the return of the marvellous Mercury Rev.

After a mellow start courtesy of the supporting country/folk style soloist prior, Mercury Rev arrive to the stage amidst huge cheers from an over excited crowd, vocalist Jonathan Donohue leading the way and accompanied by another long-standing member and lead guitarist Grasshopper (Sean Mackowiak), bassist Carlos Molina and drummer Jeff Mercel. Using various sources of input and a plethora of instruments to create their famed psychedelic sound, the band has produced a number of albums during the past twenty something years and 'The Light in You', released in September and their first studio album in some seven years, takes them even further into double figures. Tonight’s gig draws from all prior studio produced albums, although much comes from the brand new release as well as Deserter’s Songs which accounted for their massive success within the UK market.

Donohue tells us several times this evening in his laid back east coast US accent, "It’s been way, way, way, way too long….." and if the capacity crowd are the measuring stick, one could only assume they had been waiting on this moment since the band last graced our shores several years since. A sell out gig, one of only a handful in the UK, this was always set to be a cracker although what unfolded may well have exceeded the expectations of many here tonight. They soared through their songs passionately, hypnotically, completely focused on each one and yet with huge smiles as they closed each with a whoosh and rolled into the next. Beautiful flutes and keyboard melodies took us on a wonderful journey, 'Endlessly' and 'Holes' pulling everybody back to a time when they were still somewhat fresh an outfit to many of us, and their newer offerings 'Central Park' and 'Autumn's in the Air' showing their lyrics and songs are still as grounded, natural and beauty-filled as ever.

From beginning to end, the band had the crowd in the palm of its collective hands, all completely captivated and drawn into the show, with many appearing to be praying to their God Donohue. As much dainty bird as he is a deity, at times resembling a flamingo with his favoured one-legged stance, he had most here hooked from the opener and held them throughout the show with his enchanting eyes and penetrative yet playful gaze, his hands and arms also birdlike as they rolled around each other and swirled and swooped as the singer seemed to drift away with the fairies – not alone in his journey, the crowd very much with him every one-footed tripped out step of the way.

Every song was well received, although some of their earlier work which kicked in toward the end of the gig had the crowd even more pumped than they had been at the start, which is saying something when throughout the whole night it seemed like things couldn’tgetanybetter. Their encore included a fantastic Sparklehorse cover although the best was very much saved for the close, a couple of blinders in 'Goddess on a Hiway' and 'The Dark Is Rising' having everybody completely spellbound. Safe to say there cannot have been many walking away from tonight’s show not feeling the love. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh….