As lead singer, guitarist and lyricist with Reuben, Jamie Lenman built up a hardcore underground following of fans who have been waiting patiently for their cult hero to return. Five years since Reuben split in 2008, Lenman released solo album "Muscle Memory" last month to much critical acclaim, a double collection in two distinct halves. One half quiet, a melodic mixture of styles from folk to country to big band swing, his songwriting skills with tender lyrical themes completely to the fore. The other half,complete opposite, an aural barrage of almost impenetrable metal based assaults on the senses. If ever there's been a more contrasting album, I'm yet to hear it.
The question on my, and surely many others lips, how was tonight's set list going to stack up. As the good to go sign is flashed by a roadie to the sound desk, Lenman strolls from the back of the Night and Day stage to monumental applause and cheers, the conquering hero returneth, ukelele in hand and trademark battered Yamaha slung across his back. Evidence immediately, both aspects of 'Muscle Memory' would quickly be realised. As Lenman opens with the gorgeous tones of "Shotgun House" the crowd respond vocally, each and every word sung back vigorously, setting the audience participation tone for the whole evening. His sharply self deprecating humour soon appears as a mistake in the solo transpires, before the band take to the stage, playing out the end before breaking manically into "The Six Fingered Hand" followed immediately by "Fizzy Blood" the area in front of the stage breaking into a frenzy of moshing. The change in styles breathtakingly immediate.
Jamie and band continue with a magnificent set, guaranteed to inspire and satiate all present. The majority from the new solo album obviously, although a smattering of classics please the die hard disciples of Reuben including "No One Wins the War." Mid way, the whole of the touring party become involved, both roadies and band as a whole string the stage for a rousing version of the A Cappella "A Day in the Life," and Lenman's wife also takes her turn, providing contrasting backing vocals on "It's Hard to be a Gentleman" and "If You Have to Ask, You'll Never Know" before the standard quartet hold sway for a return to the Reuben back catalogue and a riotous "Moving to Blackwater."
He appears genuinely overawed by his reception, praising the crowd as the best on the tour so far, assuring us this no glib front man speak, in fact, probably the best and most energetic he's ever had the pleasure to play for. Manchester treats him as one of their own tonight, confirmed by the the sold out sign on the front door. Gracious and keen as ever to promote underground music generally, Jamie extolls the virtues of both support acts, local band ST I LT S and touring partners Kill Chaos simply described as one of the UK's finest, and his favourite band of the moment. Both showing skill and dexterity in and amongst punk / hardcore thrash, Kill Chaos more mature, exhuding class and additional stage presence.
The night ends all too soon, a crushing "Muscle" before none of that "encore bullshit" and we're treated to a lesser known Reuben track "Shambles" to close an incredible evening of live music. Tonight's gig quite simply one of the best I've ever attended in over thirty years of watching live music. The energy on stage matched and indeed overtaken by that in the audience, Lenman's quick wit and repartee as razor sharp as ever and the sheer adulation shown by all is empowering. You can't fail to see this man as a musical unsung hero, one who got away, and for that, the industry should genuinely be ashamed. We can only hope there's more to come in the coming months and years.
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