The Mars Volta are back in Britain nearly 11 years after they last played here. With a short run of three dates stopping in Glasgow, London and Manchester the band wasted no time letting Manchester know what they’ve been missing.
Kicking off the evening was Teri Gender Bender. Combining rock with a Bjork like stage presence and performance was something I don’t think anybody saw coming. But strangely enough it worked. Her band walks on stage around eight and start their first song with Teri nowhere to be seen, she then sprints across the stage taking her place at the microphone. She doesn’t stay there very long though, with limbs flailing, she makes the most of the whole stage constantly moving from corner to corner.
Mixing rock with elements of indie and shoegaze the band sounded great and were the perfect opening for The Mars Volta. Unpredictable, the set ends as it started with Teri pacing around the stage after spending the whole of the previous song on the floor.
A real buzz was starting to build after Teri Gender Bender’s set, and as the lights went down everyone knew it was time for The Mars Volta’s long awaited return. Launching into ‘Vicarious Atonement’ both the crowd and the band are realising this gig is going to be special. With a stage backdrop consisting of eight mirrors and a lot of lights it’s like a space rock soundscape during instrumental parts as they use the lighting to create the perfect atmosphere.
‘Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)’ was second up and was where the gig really came to life. The first song of the night of their most popular album Deloused in the Comatorium, the song received a huge reception as the band really kick into gear.
Frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala is a spark of energy constantly prowling around the stage, often swinging his mic stand around. With vocals that at times sound Robert Plant esque but then at also carry a Gerard Way feel, the enigmatic frontman effortlessly hits every note as the crowd try their best to match him.
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is the brain behind the band and is constantly moving to the back of the stage to speak to the band, and when he’s not doing that he’s unleashing otherworldly (and long) guitar solos. Rarely remaining in one spot for long he makes jagged movements around the left of the stage speaking with his instrument and movement rather than voice.
With a setlist the leaned heavily on Deloused in the Comatorium, the band made sure to play all their hits leaving no one disappointed. Ending with a triple header of ‘The Widow’, ‘Son et Lumiere’ and of course ‘Intertiatic ESP’ Cedric thanks the crowd and tells them “you made me feel like a kid again”.
With a lightshow that could give Pink Floyd a run for their money and the band being at the top of their game I don’t think anybody would have left the Apollo disappointed. The only hope upon leaving the show is that it will not be another 12 year wait for The Mars Volta to return.
