When a band has two drummers, you know they aint fuckin about and you know it’s going to be heavy and, guess what? Upon entering Manchester’s stunning, medieval cathedral, the stage was set for, not one, but two drummers. Support was provided by German duo, Lonski and Classen whose sonic arsenal comprised of vocals, drums (a glorious, vintage Ludwig Vistalite kit), guitar down-tuned to an array of floppy, low, open-tunings and a tiny synthesizer. Their performance was tight and they were both technically skilled, sounding somewhat like a disjointed and minimal Fleet Foxes but with a definite German edge to the sound: everything they played was in super-quantized, precision-engineered 4:4 timings and each song featured motorik drumming reminiscent of Neu! Or early Velvet Underground. On paper (or screen) this all sounds great, however the major downside for me was that their material was very morose and I don’t want to go to a gig to hear loud, glum music; I can sit at home, open a newspaper and get myself all nice and miserable without purchasing a ticket and having to find a parking spot in the centre of Manchester.

The Yann Tiersen sextet eventually took to the stage and, as suspected, they weren’t fuckin’ about and launched into the opening song from new album ‘Dust Lane’. The band were L O U D and the two drummers were like a metronomic power-house driving the Tiersen machine and provided chest crushing heavy rhythms. The set followed the running order of the album and provided a vehicle for Yann Tiersen to display his virtuosity on a mass of instruments including violin, guitar, mandolin and synth. Bloody show off. The highlight of the evening : “Ashes”. The whole performance was more God Speed You Black Emperor euphoria than sweet, twinkly Amelie soundtrack. Three drummers next time please Mr Tiersen.