Dalby Forest review

Embrace have a history of playing gigs in weird places, and this show was no exception. Taking place in the depths of Dalby Forest, which itself is situated in the depths of the North Yorkshire Moors, the show tonight really felt like it was in the middle of nowhere. On the five mile drive through the forest to the concert site, it really felt like we were heading to something special, and added a great sense of occasion to the event.

The site itself is fantastic. A reasonably sized clearing in the middle of the forest, which comfortably holds the 4,500 capacity crowd, without ever feeling crowded. The wide open space slopes down to the stage, giving just about everyone in attendance a fantastic view, and the ambient lighting in the surrounding trees helps to make this feel like a very special event.

Prior to the main attraction, we are presented with two support acts. Anechoic, who received rave reviews for support slots on the previous Embrace tour are invited back once again, and once again seem delighted to be playing in front of appreciative crowds. They commented that they would be back at their day jobs as soon as the tour finished, but if the debut album can be judged on the live performance, then they won't have to wait long to hand in their resignations.

I had high hopes for Morning Runner, the second support, as I hold the album in very high regard. Live though, all of the subtlety and texture of the record was lost, and everything seemed harsher and more jagged than in need be. There were definite highlights in 'Punching Walls', and of course the fantastic 'Burning Benches' but the rest of the set left me bored.

Embrace took to the stage at 9pm, to rapturous adulations from the crowd, and the noise was incredible. I have now seen them several times, but in this quite intimate outdoor setting, the atmosphere was something else. As the opening chords of 'No Use Crying' rang around the forest, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I was anticipating a great night. I wasn't disappointed. Embrace have a knack of drawing in the crowd, and making every show feel special. I don't know if it is the mass singalongs, the constant interplay with the crowd, or that fact that the five lads on stage could so very easily be any five lads watching, but they just seem able to connect. They always seem very down to earth, and are clearly a band grateful for the position that they have found themselves in.

There are singalongs aplenty tonight, with Danny McNamara offering the microphone to the crowd at every available opportunity, in order to attempt to save his voice, which has clearly suffered on the long outdoor tour. Whilst he often struggled to hit the notes on the quieter songs, including 'Gravity', he seemed to find the extra push on more powerful numbers such as 'All You Good Good People', a song surely created for being belted out in the middle of a field, if ever there was one.

Despite being primarily known as being a band that does ballads, Embrace do have their fair share of songs jump around to. Particular mention must go to 'Sainted' and 'New Adam New Eve' which both seem to get the entire forest bouncing. The more hardcore fans have clearly turned out for this show, as it seems that the entire crowd is singing every word of every song, and this, added to the fact that it is the final night of the tour, ensures a party atmosphere is maintained throughout.

Thankfully, the England football team won earlier in the day, so the end of the set is marked with 'World At Your Feet', which would not have gone down quite so well had the scoreline not been favourable. The obvious mass singalong ensues, and the band leave the stage to the same deafening applause as they entered it ninety minutes before. It doesn't, however, take long for them to return for the encore, which includes the fantastic 'Love Order', 'Ashes', and of course, the perennial set closer 'The Good Will Out', which seems to soar in the open air, and ensures that everyone leaves the forest with a smile on their face.

Overall, a magnificent show in a wonderful location, which suited the music perfectly. This wasn't a performance without it's problems, but the band rose above the difficulties and showed just why they are held in such high regard by fans.

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