British Sea Power

The Ritz, Manchester. Thursday, June 11

For a band who have taught their fans to expect the unexpected, embarking on an anniversary tour to mark 12 years since debut album The Decline of British Sea Power was released seems almost, expected.

British Sea Power are the latest in a line of artists to perform an album in full, but the usual eccentricities of their live show remain.

The stage at the Ritz in Manchester is covered in foliage and stuffed birds, frontman Jan Scott Wilkinson is barefoot, wearing a white gown making him look like he has just escaped from an institution, and keyboardist Eamon Hamilton crowd-surfs two tracks in.

Oh, and an eight foot bear appeared in the mosh pit to join the fans in jumping along to the music. I don’t know how I forgot that one.

Previously having played gigs on a ferry travelling on the River Mersey, in museums and in libraries, the Ritz is more familiar territory for the band’s indie rock sound.

The six-piece perform their aforementioned 2003 debut album in full, with the singles Remember Me and Carrion getting the crowd moving.

The album was lauded at the time of release and garnered positive reviews, with critics comparing their sound with the likes of Arcade Fire and Pixies, and their live shows are always a sight to behold.

Having watched the band headline Ramsbottom Festival last year, where they received a mixed response from the crowd, it is evident that in this more intimate environment they prosper.

Lead guitarist Martin Noble’s epic reverb soaked riffs propel most tracks, and backed by violist Abi Fry and cornet player Phil Sumner, the band create a huge sound.

They return after the debut album set for a further hour, showcasing tracks from their subsequent albums, including Waving Flags and No Lucifer from the Mercury Prize nominated Do You Like Rock Music?, as well as the title track from their 2013 album Machineries of Joy.

Having hosted a musical festival at the UK’s highest pub, appearing on Countryfile to talk about their love of the countryside and recording a soundtrack for a documentary shown at CERN in Switzerland about the first modular space station, who knows what is next for British Sea Power.

But it will probably be exactly the opposite of what you would expect.