Seth Lakeman at The Lowry, Manchester Review
Seth Lakeman
The Lowry, Manchester
19 October 2014
Reviewed by Catherine Joyce
The Lowry is very easy to get to as it is just off the M602 motorway and there is plenty of parking in the large multi-storey car park next to the theatre. If you eat in one of the restaurants at The Lowry Centre next door you can park for free, otherwise it costs around £5.50. The theatre is lovely and clean and all the staff are very helpful and friendly. All the seats have a good view of the stage and there is ample leg room.
The performance was due to start at 7pm, I did think this was quite early but as this was the time stated on the website we set off in plenty of time arriving at 6.45pm. With the benefit of hindsight I should have rung to confirm as when we arrived we were told that the support act only started at 8pm and Seth Lakeman would be on stage at 9pm. This extra hour did give us the chance to enjoy a drink from the bar and as it was a warm evening we sat outside and enjoyed the view from the terrace.
The night began with a 45 minute performance by support artist Kim Churchill. Kim, a 24 year old Australian and is quite simply the best one man band (multi-instrumentalist) that I’ve ever seen. Playing several instruments at the same time he really cranked up the volume and speed – his arm dissolving into a blur at times. Even had he been playing just his guitar, his skills were most impressive and he is definitely one to watch out for in the future. All his songs were good but the song he wrote in memory of his Grandad was especially moving and was my favourite.
After a short interval, Seth Lakeman, a Devon born musician, and his band took to the stage playing a selection of tunes from his latest album, Word of Mouth, along with some older material. The set included a number of slow tunes with the odd solo or duet and also many livelier numbers with the whole band playing on some much faster tracks for the audience to clap along to.
Despite the recent revival in folk music many people still have an image of bearded blokes playing tin whistles and banjos in a back street pub. Have no fear, Seth’s music was far removed from that with songs that were both powerful and fast paced and he soon had the audience clapping away and dancing, his amazing fiddle playing meant I couldn’t stop my foot from tapping all through the show.
This was the first time I have seen Seth play and I was really impressed with his performance, skill and energy. He played a number of different instruments including the tenor guitar, bouzouki and of course the fiddle.
Joining Seth for this tour was Lisbee Stainton, a successful folk musician in her own right, playing harmonium and banjo in addition to vocals.
Not only was Seth a great musician, he also had a good personality, comfortably engaging with the audience and encouraging them to join in. When he asked if everyone was ready for a hoe down the venue came to life with people dancing in the aisles and at their seats creating a great atmosphere.
If you think that folk music is not your thing don’t be afraid – give Seth a go. With his clean-cut image, he is perhaps not the stereotypical folk singer that you might expect.
We had a great night out and will certainly be looking out for both these artists again.
Rating: 5/5 
Seth Lakeman is currently on tour around the UK, for more information and tour dates visit www.sethlakeman.co.uk.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
