OLLY ALEXANDER // FACTORY INTERNATIONAL, MANCHESTER
OLLY ALEXANDER PERFORMING AT MANCHESTER’S FACTORY INTERNATIONAL
★★★★☆ (4/5)
OLLY ALEXANDER PERFORMING AT MANCHESTER’S FACTORY INTERNATIONAL
PHOTOCREDIT: SABRINA RAMDOYAL
Nestled within the vibrant backstreets of Manchester, Olly Alexander's "Up Close & Polari" tour marked the launch of his new album, "Polari," offering an immersive pop experience. Garnering critical acclaim for his roles in Years & Years and Channel 4's "It’s a Sin," as well as being an influential advocate within the LGBTQ+ community, his music and support for mental health resonate deeply with many. This concert provided an intimate exploration of his journey regarding sexuality.
The evening began with the captivating Scottish indie artist Jacob Alon, who confidently took the stage and created an atmosphere of tranquillity. The audience was captivated by his acoustic guitar and enchanting voice, which weaved a spell across the room. It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop as he shifted into impressive falsetto notes. His sound floated effortlessly through the air, while the delicate strumming of his guitar produced a rich alternative indie sound that filled the venue.
The tone for the evening was set by Ian McKellen, who recited lines from Polari as the Aviva Studios stage illuminated. This paved the way for Olly Alexander's dramatic entrance and at 34 years of age, he radiated incredible energy, charming his spectators from the moment he stepped on stage. He engaged the audience right away with a dynamic rendition of "Polari," before transitioning to buoyant, synth-heavy tracks such as "I Know" and the catchy "Make Me A Man," both of which proved highly effective in a live setting. His powerful vocals thrived during the performance, exuding humility and playful warmth as he humorously referred to himself as “your local angry homosexual.” During the performance of “If You’re Over Me,” Alexander created an engaging atmosphere where impactful drumming and distorted electric guitar inspired a significant singalong. The synth riff-driven "King" stood out as a crowd-pleasing anthem, prompting enthusiastic participation from the audience.
"Starstruck" brought an exhilarating energy to the performance, while his deeply personal hymn "Archangel" resonated with many fans. The spine-tingling harmonies during the piano-led rendition of "Rendezvous" added emotional depth to the evening. A balance was maintained between upbeat pop numbers and intimate acoustic performances, highlighted by the live debut of "Howl" and a fresh acoustic interpretation of "Dizzy," which marked a departure from the typical upbeat electronic dance-pop style. No concert experience would be complete without the iconic Pet Shop Boys anthem "It’s a Sin." The high-energy lighting, combined with an enthusiastic audience, created an unforgettable finale, culminating with the songs "Heal You" and "Shine." This moment marked a significant milestone in Olly Alexander’s ascent as one of Britain’s foremost pop artists.
