Beck, Victoria Warehouse. 15th June 2022

Beck has always struck me as a bit of an outsider, a purposefully prickly sort of character who refuses to be defined. In short I’m not really sure to expect from my first Beck show. Perhaps a set of funky soulful folktronica, with hefty doses of country flecked psychedelic hip-hop. See what I mean about being tricky to define. What’s for sure is that Beck is a star, you don’t get this many people packed into Victoria Warehouse for just anyone and make no mistake, Mr Hansen is a showman. Taking the stage like a hipster Tim Burgess, sharp suit, big hair. The apt ‘Devils Haircut’ gets an early outing and turns the place into a sweat box. It’s followed by probably the reason I’m here, ‘Dreams’ was the lead single off the latest album that’s now a couple of years old, but it still sounds utterly wonderful. With so many great songs, it’s telling that one of the newest is up there with the best. ‘New Pollution’ is met with a roar of approval as people attempt to bust out the dance moves and ‘Wow’ gets all the hands in the air. It’s playful, like something you’d hear on Yo Gabba Gabba (is that still going? loved that show). There are live drums, guitars etc. but this sound, essentially built on hip-hop has a ton going on. It sounds like a live band, but it doesn’t. Largely because they sound so damn tight, which is quite a feat with everything going on. Sure it’s core is hip-hop, but the kitchen sink is thrown on top. These songs sound great on record, but live it’s a full on soul defining experience. “I think you don’t want to dance much” he says. I thought we were, but this is a big room and he’s got the best view. Either way the cheered response indicates Manchester is up for it and the funk levels rise. It drops back down though for the ethereal ‘Morning’ which sounds sublime. It’s here you can appreciate just what a lovely voice he has. They’re not afraid to punctuate these quieter moments though, letting rip with extended wig-outs, just to keep us all on our toes. I’m afraid I don’t know all the song titles, or even all the songs. It seems though like there’s something from every album and every genre. Some of the more folky country stuff does lose the crowd a little bit, but it all sounds great to me and it’s so hot in here, I’m thankful for the calmer moments. He announces he wants to “freak out a little”, a quick scan to the back of the room proves his earlier observation right, it’s static back there. It’s bouncing down the front though and Beck is more than happy to strut around the stage, microphone in one hand, punching the air with the other and spinning around on his heels like Prince. It goes off for ‘E-Pro’, lasers flying and limbs doing the same. This is what this crowd want, bangers and I’m not sure there’s been quite enough of them. Like I said at the start though, he does what he wants. Kicking off the encore with a cover of ‘Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime’, just him and an acoustic. I love this song and he does it really well. This is the solo section of the set and it’s beautiful. The crowd though have gone to sleep a little. The double header of ‘Loser’ and ‘Where It’s At’ quickly wakes everyone. These songs sound like genuine classics and Victoria Warehouse responds. That would finish most sets perfectly. But no, he’s back with a harmonica to finish with a hoedown and why not. That’s what true outsiders do. ‘Loser’ now beefed up packs a helluva punch. This would be a fitting way to close, but no, he’s back with a harmonica for something else I don’t know, but sounds like the soundtrack to a hoedown. And why not, this is after all what outsiders do.