WRITING THEIR OWN RULEBOOK
BACK in 2015, Scottish band Chvrches - a trio consisting of a female vocalist and two male musicians - offered a rather troubling insight into how the music industry had tried to mould them in order to maximise their popularity. “We could have sold 200,000 more records if the boys were hid out of view,” said singer Lauren Mayberry. Her intent was clear: Chvrches weren’t prepared to take any shortcuts to success, especially ones which played upon the gender of their singer.
Suffice to say, the band’s refusal to compromise has most certainly been vindicated. Going about their business in a relatively old-fashioned way - working hard, touring relentlessly, being true to their creative vision - the Glaswegian trio have achieved global success on their own terms.
With their brooding, expansive pop sound - which keeps one foot in electronica, the other in modern pop and its heart in 80s synths - the band have amassed a huge following both here and across the pond.
It’s a big enough following to warrant two shows at the 3,500-capacity O2 Victoria Warehouse in Trafford, one of Greater Manchester’s larger venues.
It’s a big enough following that they’ve almost sold out the enormous SSE Hydro in their native Glasgow on this tour.
The Love Is Dead tour, in support of their third studio album of the same name, will take them across the globe over the next few months (including a slot at Coachella) before depositing them back on home turf to headline Belladrum Festival in August.
They’ve also secured a spot on the bill at this year’s Reading and Leeds festivals.
Mayberry has a stage persona that’s entirely at odds with the pop princess sound that pours out of her. With a penchant for tulle ballerina skirts paired with band tees and Doc Martins, she looks like she’d be more at home in a goth punk band than one of the UK’s mostloved electro pop groups.
But at home she is, delivering confident performances on every visit to Manchester (including a drizzly slot at last year’s Parklife), which she says reminds her of home. The drizzle probably helps the trio acclimatise.
Along the way, they’ve supported their heroes Depeche Mode, campaigned for women’s empowerment with actress Amy Poehler, and been nominated for Best British Breakthrough Act at the Brits.
Even more impressive, Chvrches have achieved all that without ever scoring a Top 10 single in the UK.
Not that Chvrches are the sort of band who measure success in terms of commercial achievements. A band playing by their own rulebook - and succeeding - how this trio continue to develop should be most fascinating to witness.
Tickets for the two shows at the O2 Victoria Warehouse are still available, priced at £28.50 including booking fees. Doors will open at 7pm.