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Photo: WENN
Villagers have been steeped in accolades since the release of their debut album in 2010. 'Becoming a Jackal' not only received a Mercury nomination, but also saw its title track bring home an Ivor Novello award as 2011's 'Best Song Musically and Lyrically'.
And having toured with the likes of Neil Young and Elbow, the Irish five-piece have learned from the best when it comes to the live stage too.
Following the release of second record {Awayland} last month, the band are currently in the midst of an eleven-date UK tour.
Last night it was the turn of Manchester to host the indie-folksters. Hoot-footing it straight over from a BBC session at Salford's MediaCity UK, Villagers graced the stage at Gorilla, one of the city's newest venues.
Support comes from Liverpool three-piece Stealing Sheep. Their sound is from the same mould as the night's headliners, albeit with a more feminine touch. 2012 single 'Genevieve' is a particular highlight, offering a quirky yet captivating start to proceedings.
Villagers arrive on stage to a packed venue. Wasting no time, they launch into dream-like opener 'Grateful Song'. It has to be said the sound from the floor of the venue is not the best, it takes a trip up to the balcony to really hear Villagers at their best.
Conor O'Brien's voice is faultless during 'Judgement Call' and 'The Bell', as is the chemistry between the five musicians. It's clear much work has been put in - they appear to know each other inside out.
O'Brien then dedicates 'The Pact (I'll Be Your Fever)' to fellow folk star Becky Unthank who is apparently in the building somewhere.
However an unfortunate false start means the band must strike the track's opening chords for a second time. They hold it together well during the intervening period though. O'Brien keeps the crowd entertained by announcing the band's drummer is a Manchester United fan - an admission that receives a pantomime-like response.
'The Waves' was a song that was met with a polarised reaction when it was unveiled as the first single from {Awayland}. A hypnotic bass-line drives the live rendition, the audience are fixated throughout.
Perhaps another criticism of the venue should be the temperature, the humidity is unbearable at times. "This is the sweatiest place I've ever played," O'Brien professes - the 600-strong crowd seem to appreciate his empathy.
Latest single 'Nothing Arrived' and 'Becoming a Jackal' are two of the band's standout tracks on record, and so proves to be the case tonight. Again the musicianship is tight, and O'Brien's lyrical maturity is delivered through an atmospheric vocal performance.
After a short departure from the stage, O'Brien returns alone to begin an encore that rounds off the evening nicely. The frontman goes solo for 'That Day' and shows he is more than capable without his band by his side.
But it is only right that they return in time for the final track of the evening. An epic version of 2010 single 'Ship of Promises' brings down the curtain with bags of energy, ensuring few will go home unfulfilled.
Villagers play the HMV Library in Birmingham tonight. Details of their current UK tour are below. For more information visit Gigwise tickets.
February 14- Birmingham HMV Library
February 16- Bristol Trinity
February 17- Brighton, The Old Market
February 18- Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
February 20- London Village Underground
February 21- London Village Underground
