3 Daft Monkeys

This was 3 Daft Monkeys' third gig in the north-west promoting new album 'The Antiquated and The Arcane' in a little over a week. Having already played to decent audiences in Bury and Hebden Bridge, another sizeable audience at The Academy suggests a band whose popularity and reputation are in the ascendancy, which for a band that remain totally independent and insist on doing it all themselves is no mean feat. Their popularity and reputation is built almost entirely on the live shows they play over summer, playing at numerous festivals of all sizes. Whilst album sales obviously generate income to let them keep doing their thing, you could argue that an autumn release is simply a crib sheet for the following summer 'this is what we'll be playing next summer guys, practice your dancing over winter' – and when you're writing tunes in a 7/8 time signature, giving people time to practice is not a bad idea!

Tim Ashton, guitarist and vocalist, asks us "Are you ready to dance?" as he takes to the stage, and with a resounding "yes" the band launch into traditional set opener 'One Fine Day'. A 3DM gig isn't something for standing and watching, tapping your foot along with the kick drum. It's a time for joining in and dancing and this crowd understand that from the start. It's impossible not to.

The rhythmic swirls of Athene Roberts' fiddle introduces the first new track from the album, the folk-punk 'Perfect Stranger'. It's a quirky love song of being lost and saved, a crescendo of vocal, fiddle and guitar building to a stunning, optimistic climax. The song is well received by an appreciative crowd one suspects isn't entirely unfamiliar with the new material. The stacattoed and heavily instrumental 'Just A Ride' – a cheeky number about...well, have a listen and you decide, is equally appreciated.

The new album features session musicians, keyboards and even a 30-piece choir, but translates extremely well to the stripped down three-piece live show. The band have always refused to be categorised in a genre, preferring to let the music speak for itself. Consequently, traditional Gaelic sounds meet klesmer swirls and balkan beats – there's even a hint of a reggae on the new album. A gentle ballad in the form of 'Doors Of Perception' brings an unusual gentle interlude to the set before the band lift the tempo again with two more new songs, 'Love Life' and 'She Said'. The skilled songwriting and dexterous musicianship of Ashton, Roberts and ever microphone shy Jamie Waters on bass means that whilst the material may be new, it remains a pleasure to dance and listen to.

After playing some we know, the band come to one of the highlights of the new album. In the best storytelling traditions of folk music, it's a tale of 16th Century Strasbourg when an unknown woman had the urge to dance and went out in the street and did just that, a growing crowd joining her as "they danced with wild abandon in a ghost like trance". 'Days Of Dance' is a heartwarming and uplifting tale reflected perfectly in the rip-roaring gypsy folk tune. They danced in Strasbourg and oh how they danced tonight in Manchester. Another visit to the back catalogue leads us finally to album title track 'The Antiquated and The Arcane'. Soporific guitar, swirling fiddle and stunning harmonies make this love song a delightful way to finish.

3 Daft Monkeys can be listened to with pleasure at home. But to really understand what it is they are about, you need to see them live. Tonight was a joyful, uplifting experience and all went home with a huge grin across their faces. They'll be playing in a field near you next summer – why not get your own joyful, uplifting fix? In these dark days, you'd be daft not to.

Setlist

1. One Fine Day
2. Perfect Stranger
3. Just A Ride
4. Human Nature
5. Doors of Perception
6. Love Life
7. She Said
8. Paranoid Big Brother
9. Eyes of Gaia
10. Hubbadillia
11. Days Of Dance
12. Astral Eyes
13. Social Vertigo
14. Faces
15. The Antiquated and The Arcane

FUTURE GIGS