The Heartbreaks, Ruby Lounge, Manchester

A three year wait for their debut record ‘Funtimes’, and whether it’s down to the time they’ve taken to develop or their upcoming support slots with Morrissey, the Heartbreaks now boast a charismatic and foot stomping confidence that’s as strong on record as it is on stage.

It’s quite apt they play Manchester tonight too. Although originally from Morecombe, they now equally call the city their home: they won the Manchester Evening News award for best new band in 2009. So tonight, they saunter on stage to a packed out Ruby Lounge and, although it’s the album launch night (they also have a club night here too, fact fans), nerves are clearly the last thing that’s visible on this four-piece’s minds. Vocalist Matthew Whitehouse looks and sounds particularly dapper tonight: a mix of Roddy Frame’s flair and Brett Anderson’s glam, he hypnotises the lively crowd with his every move.

It’s as if Elvis Costello has suddenly appeared in Manchester when ‘Hand On Heart’ rings out through the venue whilst the swaying funk of Orange juice emerges throughout scraping guitars of ‘Remorseful.’ Better yet though is ‘Liar, My Dear’ where Ryan Wallace pays tribute to Johnny Marr’s trademark jangle as his guitar chimes brightly through everyone’s ears: it seems the band has managed revive the Smiths very much to the crowd’s delight.

Indeed, whilst Whitehouse might sing about troubled relationships in the shimmer of ‘Polly’ or painful infatuation in set closer ‘I Didn’t Think It Would Hurt To Think Of You,’ the crowd’s otherwise rowdy and joyful energy betrays such humdrum topics. They play almost every song from the album with an intense energy and the result is a set that’s as polished as it is full of panache. The Heartbreaks have certainly carved themselves a reputation that would impress, not only those from this decade, but also those from as far back as the sixties very easily.