Belle and Sebastian

Belle and Sebastian had the advantage of the first truly nice night at Red Rocks this season. The one lonely cloud looked like a giant marshmallow against the pink sky as the sun set and the Colorado Symphony took their seats. Photos of children playing in fields were projected out to the amphitheater as the band from Scotland opened things up with one of the uncharacteristically upbeat tracks from their new uncharacteristically upbeat album, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance. The visual accompaniment was in black-and-white, but “Nobody’s Empire” came to life in full Technicolor as the symphony sound swelled behind Stuart Murdoch.

Standing up from the keyboard to join his 7-piece band, Murdoch looked like a kid in a candy store as he brought things back a few years for “I’m A Cuckoo”. “I tell you, these Rocks know how to party!” The symphony assumed the role of spectators for “The Party Line”, but the Scots brought out local dancers to urge audience participation. Belle and Sebastian had never played Red Rocks before, so the awe in which they gazed out at the star-studded sky framed by monoliths was to be expected, but I feel like the beauty of the environment, and the weight of the symphony behind them, might have distracted them a bit. “Identify that star for me…is it Venus? The God of Love blessed these rocks.”

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Belle & Sebastian have enjoyed one of the most musically fascinating evolutions of any rock and pop band in recent memory. Beginning as a gentle, multi-instrumental folk pop band in the 1990s, the band's shows could sometimes have an almost church-like atmosphere of quiet.

Over the past decade, however, the band has built on its own sound (without ever abandoning its roots), morphing over time into a vibrant, powerful, soulful, and downright playful group of performers.

The band, increasingly influenced by singer and songwriter Stuart Murdoch's creative genius, are heading back on the road this year for the first time in a few years, in advance of their latest record. While in concert they'll certainly take out the woodwinds and fiddles to perform audience favorites like “Stars Of Track And Field” and “Like Dylan In The Movies”, the real joy kicks in on newer material. Shot through with an almost Motown-like bounce, the audience is likely to be out of their seats and turning the show into a disarmingly sweet indie rock dance party.

At the center of it all in concert is Murdoch. In front of a band that can sometimes swell to as many as a dozen members, it seems sometimes as if he's leading an orchestra more than a pop group. Affable and funny, Stuart engages the audience in charmingly playful banter that that helps make even festival shows in front of tens of thousands feel like a rollicking Scottish house party.

After standing up at the recent B & S gigs in Brighton and London, I was a bit nervous about the all-seated event in Liverpool. Would there be a connection? Would there be dancing (not me, you understand, I'm a 60 year old male; but it's important for the atmosphere)? I needn't have worried; well before the end the whole house was standing, dancing, having a blast.

The set list is sufficiently different each time to reward serial concert goers, but the absolute highlight for me was Seymour Stein. I'm pretty sure they've never played it at my 5 earlier gigs. I got pretty emotional, at that moment life was like having sex in a bath of melted chocolate.

I hate it when people talk at gigs. Why pay 40 quid to stand around talking loudly to someone else? It's certainly not my idea of a good night out. So thank you to the people of Liverpool for showing such respect for the band and the audience. In fact it was almost embarrassingly silent between songs. But when it was time to celebrate and show appreciation for another outstanding performance from my favourite band, there was no holding back. A night to remember and cherish.

Cult icons Belle & Sebastian were a driving force in the alternative waves of the mid-90s. The Scotch indie rockers have had a vast career that has evolved and developed along with their sound and has inspired an immeasurable amount of contemporaries. They continue to perform their bizarre, captivating live show to fans all around the world.

Their critically acclaimed wistful pop sound has captured the hearts of many and the quiet composure in which they perform is surprisingly charming. There is no bluster or bravado from the opening strings of 'You're Just A Baby' rather just an incredibly well practised and talented live band. There are a number of 'hit' singles within the set such as 'The Boy With The Arab Strap' and 'Funny Frog' which of course evoke great reaction from the audience.

Although it is the dark disco world of 'Allies' or the finale of 'Judy and the Dream of Horses' that hold the crowd in a moment of curious wonder. It is refreshing to see a band who has been touring for twenty years still finding innovative and unusual directions in which to take their music.

Brilliant concert, and the Greek Theater was the perfect outdoor venue in which to see them. Stuart Murdoch was exceptional, and quite an entertainer to boot. What makes him so great is his natural ability to engage his audience with his music and his charm. What audience doesn't love being called up on stage to dance with their favorite artists, or have their lead singer go out into the crowd to be close to them? That's Murdoch for you.

While I appreciate the more depressive, melancholic and contemplative elements of the band's earlier career, I'm learning to be appreciative of their more energetic, drum-beat based anthems from their most current release. The sound is a bit new for me, but I love the band all the same. I've been listening to them for years now and appreciate watching them change and grow in terms of sound and lyrics. Definitely not a band to be missed live. You'll feel like you're a part of their little family.

"You only turn twenty years old once" grinned lead singer/guitarist Stuart Murdoch towards the end of last night's anniversary show at the Albert Hall before launching into "Put the Book Back on the Shelf". As well as this, the band played If You're Feeling Sinister from cover to cover (complete with short clip of someone turning over the vinyl between side A and B) and a further set of more recent tracks.

Murdoch's tone of voice seemed like it hadn't aged a day, and though the encore may have involved some lip-syncing the band in general were on top form. By the time most of the front few rows had been called up to dance on stage along with some dancers and people in animal suits - The Horse with the Arab Strap - the crowd were standing to a man and clapping along.

If you get the chance to see Belle and Sebastian, do so.

I've seen B&S quite a few times and they never fail to disappoint, and of course the Royal Albert Hall is such a great venue for anyone. We were watching them perform "If you're feeling Sinister" which is 1 of their earliest and best albums, what a pleasure it was too! The energy and enthusiasm of B&S shows no limits - whether it's inviting people onto the stage, or dancing through the audience in the Royal Albert Hall they put on a fantastic show. Stuart Murdoch certainly knows how to get an audience going - love it and highly recommend everyone sees them at least once!
(also, please note unrelated to the RAH concert but they're the perfect festival band - 1 of my favourite gig moments ever was seeing them play Boy with the Arab Strap at End of the Road a few years back, absolutely amazing!)

Really great show, really funny band in between the songs which is great. They smashed out all the hits and got everyone dancing up on stage. Also a riveting documentary on the development of Glasgow in the 20th century played for 30 minutes before the show made a nice change to the usual pre-show sound check boredom.

My only sour point was that they played 'Piazza, New York Catcher' the night before so left it off the set-list for this show. 'Judy and the Dream of Horses'was a cracking way to end the show, there were many happy/drunk mums and dads bouncing around to it. Worth seeing if you get the chance.

Middle-aged losers talking throughout Piazza, New York Catcher can't spoil this joy. Belle and Sebastian provided beautiful relief from the newly elected government, inviting people on stage to dance and throwing a wonderful party. Sure, some old people at the Norwich OPEN wanted to stand in the front third of the crowd, vape (seriously) and talk like they're down the bloody pub, but Stuart and co. put on a show that shone through the idiots.

Saw them this past summer in Oxford UK (O2 Academy). They used to be great in the 90s and early 00s. Not so much now. The guitarist and singer looked so bored for more than half of the show. They only started enjoying themselves when they played The Boy with The Arab Strap. The fun really began with that song. They should tour less and really focus on a few shows to deliver good performances.