THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH, at Manchester Arena

THE Beautiful South's music was as smooth and accomplished as ever but they struggled to make it sparkle.

Despite the show being delayed by two weeks due to Paul Heaton's viral infection, the arena was packed with fans determined to have a good time.

But Paul still seemed under the weather, leaving Dave Hemingway on lead vocals for some songs.

Jacqui Abbott was also suffering from a sore throat and, though her voice was as smooth as cream during Everybody's Talkin' and Rotterdam, she too had to duck out of some songs.

The South didn't really start buzzing until they returned for the second set with a gospel choir. The backing vocals lifted the show and they ended on a high note with Carry On Regardless. But despite having six times as many people on stage, the band couldn't compare to support act Barenaked Ladies for sheer energy and humour. The Canadian group were having fun and didn't care if they made fools of themselves while giving the audience a laugh. They launched into their own version of Lady In Red in the middle of If I Had a Million Dollars and finished up with a spoof of Memory.

AMY BINNS

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