Alcest/Svalbard/Doodseskader – Academy 2, Manchester – 12/12/24 (Live Review)

I’ve never seen Alcest before, so this was a great opportunity to remedy that, especially as the wonderful Svalbard were also playing. Doodseskader too, but I don’t really know them.

Doodseskader

Bad traffic makes me late, so I arrive with Doodseskader in full flow, and only catch 3ish songs. The band are a duo, but fill the stage with a potent charisma born of their idiosyncratic style of sort-of-industrial-rap-sludge that’s raw and upbeat, with big driving beats. They put on a compelling show, with a large rear screen projection that fits with the music.

Doodseskader get a very positive reaction from the crowd, and when they quickly leave after the final song there is rapturous applause. I enjoyed what I saw. Ones to watch for sure.

Svalbard

It was only March that I saw Svalbard last, supporting the mighty Enslaved. They played well then, and it is time to see how well they play now on this larger stage.

Svalbard don’t start with the best sound, as the guitars are basically absent for a while. It improves, but is not the best. Despite this, they put on a spirited performance.

The songs are energetic and aggressive, although they lack much of the melody and atmosphere that they have on record due to the sound mix. Not all of it though, by any means, as Svalbard have more than enough melody and atmosphere to triumph in adverse sound conditions. Especially for the last part of For the Sake of the Breed, for example. It’s not too long before the sound cleans itself up a bit more, and the band begin to sound fuller and more well-rounded. Regardless, Svalbard play with passion throughout, and it’s endearing how much they’re clearly into their music.

Svalbard once again showcase just why they’re one of the best heavy music bands in the UK. Don’t hesitate to go and see them if you get the chance.

Alcest

Alcest are touring on the back of their latest record Les Chants de l’Aurore. Alcest have a decent sound and a bold, striking stage setup, with a great lightshow that unfolds over the course of the evening. They open with Komorebi, followed closely by L’Envol and then Améthyste, all from the new album. It’s a confident and strong opening from a band who know what they’re doing.

Next we come to the one-two punch of Protection and Sapphire from Spiritual Instinct. It’s an extremely strong combination. Both are great songs, but Sapphire is just spectacular. It’s a favourite of mine, and a highlight of the show.

Further back in time now for Écailles de Lune – Part 2, which is great to hear. It’s unleashed in all of its post-blackened glory tonight. The strongest cut from Les Chants de l’Aurore is aired next – Flamme Jumelle, followed by Le Miroir, from Spiritual Instinct once more, both of which are as carefully rendered as everything else here. It’s effortlessly entertaining.

Then we come to the last couple of tracks of the main show before the encore. Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde from the band’s debut record of the same name, followed by Oiseaux de Proie, off Kodama, one of the best Alcest albums in my humble opinion. It’s a strong rendition, that’s for sure.

The encore section starts with the anthemic Autre Temps, from Les Voyages l’âme, and it goes down a storm. Judging by the crowd, if Alcest hadn’t come back on stage there would have been a riot. The song is another strong highlight, in an evening of them, really.

Alcest close the evening with L’Adieu from their latest record, which in some ways is a curious choice, given its restrained, mood-focused nature. Its atmospheric presence is hard to deny though, and works surprisingly well as a final song. I’d go as far as to say that it truly comes to life live, versus on album.

This was an hour and a half of excellence. I can’t quite express how much I enjoyed Alcest tonight, and I certainly wasn’t the only one. I was hoping for a good evening, but this surpassed my expectations.