Spiritualized, Academy, Manchester

Jason Pierce’s longevity and appeal owes much to his ability to tread his own path while others in the music business have followed more well-marked routes. His albums have been grand in scale, with lavishly-arranged songs full of invention, raw power and emotion. So Spiritualized fans may have shuddered when they heard new long-player ‘Sweet Heart, Sweet Light’ was more “pop”. Interviews with Pierce have suggested it’s been influenced by the Beach Boys and the Beatles, although he says his aim was to make “rich man’s record” where he had the time to “explore ideas properly” and achieve a “clarity” of sound.

‘When you make a record, it has to be the single most important thing in your world,” he added in a statement. “This time around, I wanted to do something that encompassed all I love in rock ‘n’ roll music. It’s got everything from Brötzmann and Berry right through to Dennis and Brian Wilson. I’m obsessed with music and the way you put it together and I don’t believe there are any rules.’ However, a delay in the album’s release and subsequent rescheduling of tour dates, may have tested the patience of even the most ardent of Spiritualized fans judging by the less-than-full venue. But when band launch into excellent new single, Hey Jane, there’s an evident buzz among the audience.

In fact, much of the early part of the set features tracks from ‘Sweet Heart, Sweet Light’, with ‘Mary’ and ‘So Long You Pretty Things’ among the highlights. Live favourite ‘Lay Back In The Sun’ receives the first big cheer of the night and tracks from classic album ‘Ladies & Gentleman We Are Floating In Space’ are also rapturously received. As ever, Pearce stands to the right of the stage and side-on to the crowd, content to focus on the musicians around him and say nothing. But it’s a triumphant return for Spiritualized who, after more than two hours, finish with a stomping ‘Electricity’ and feedback-heavy ‘Cop Shoot Cop’. Good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll at it’s most sublime.