A great moment when all the stars align...
There is something quite special about capturing a band in a moment where all the stars have aligned.
The Lottery Winners campaigned hard around the release of their new album Anxiety Replacement Therapy, and in a busy week of new releases, were rewarded with a number one.
This is thanks in no small part to their fervent fanbase who bought the album in droves. As a result this leg of the tour in the week where they sit atop the charts has become nothing less than a victory lap and sweet vindication for the hard-working and fiercely independent Greater Manchester four-piece.
And of course the in die-pop act have bought their ‘number one’ trophy with them which is held aloft on numerous occasions – and even gets passed around the crowd to take selfies with. There are cheeky digs at their chart rivals throughout.
Frontman Thom Rylance is on typically chatty form, sharing anecdotes and one-liners aplenty.
Thanks to their manager producer Tristan Ivemy being a Portsmouth native, as are their backing singers (dubbed the Favourite Flavours after an early track), the band have long-since been adopted by the city. The singles from ART may be missing their starry guests, butRylanceg et stoun leash hi sinner Shaun Ryder on Money, while guitarist Rob L allysteps over to take the lead on Boy George’s parts on Let Me Down, and the audience fills in for Frank Turner on Letter to Myself.
The latter, written by Rylance to his troubled 12-yearold self to let him know that everything will be okay packs an emotional wallop as well as an enormous chorus.
There are also fluffed lines and forgotten verses, but no one minds when it’s this much fun. Bassist Katie Lloyd takes the lead on in the infectious Burning House – another set highpoint.
As they reach the inevitable encores, first up is Emerald City which segues into a lovely a capella version of The Housemartins’ Caravan of Love by Lally, Loyd and Rylance.
They finish with 21, but rework the chorus ever so slightly to ‘This is how it feels to be number one’. Perfect. Their glee is infectious making it impossible to not root for these lovable scamps.