Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum, Night & Day, 29th November 2021

Let’s address the elephant in the room right away, the wonderfully named Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum have a pretty famous singer in Michael C. Hall. You’ve probably seen him in Dexter, Six Feet Under or even The Crown. The question you’ll be asking is ‘Can he sing?’ The answer to which is hell fuckin yeah! In Hall’s words a Butterfly show is a “Rocktronic gothadelic extravaganza”. I really couldn’t put it better. Whether it’s the slow delicate electro tracks with effortlessly high vocals or the bruising bass rumbles of songs like ‘Sideways’ with Hall’s words processed and distorted. It all sounds glorious coming off the Night & Day stage. If you want a comparison… we’ll I’m not sure I’ve got one. Some Bowie for sure, even a little NIN. It’s a big sound that feels very intimate in this space. They paint quite a picture, luring you into a detailed and fascinating soundscape. Hall, who goes by the moniker Kaleidoscope isn’t the sole focus though. He’s joined by Matt Katz-Bowen (Storm Eye) on guitar/keyboards and Peter Yanowitz (Dream Weaver) on drums. Maybe the names seem silly, but I don’t think they’re taking this too seriously. It’s escapism like some of the best music, the names allowing them to detach and enjoy this just like the rest of us. From the moment they take the stage. I’ve forgotten about the 45 minute queue outside in the freezing rain (have your Covid pass ready people!). As we’re basked in summery synth pop and DIY punk electro. There’s quite a crowd that’s braved the arctic weather. Not the busiest I’ve seen Night & Day, but certainly the busiest in quite a while. It’s pretty rammed. It’s certainly a spectacle, highlighted by the phones out recording. It feels like everyone else is stood still gawking at the famous bloke and I’m the only one bouncing. Does anyone else even know these songs? and even if you don’t, how do you stand still?? There’s some absolute bangers in the set and they make an impressive sound. All the melody from Matt, all the rhythm from Peter and an impressive vocal display from Michael. The live drums alongside the synths and keys sound amazing and Matt even wields a keytar, an instrument much maligned on these shores. They feel perfect together, as tight as any band I’ve seen live. Airhead sounds euphoric. Angela Peacock sounds heavy as fuck and as we go on, the phones do subside (a little) as everyone starts to find their feet. Image is clearly important. Micheal struggling a little with the Night & Day heat playing havoc with his make up, but refusing to lose his coat. To be fair, he does look bloody good. New song Jetpack shows their desire to spread their wings further and showing anyone thinking this is a vanity project, that they’re well wide of the mark. I had high expectations and they were all met, although the Manchester crowd didn’t show themselves in the best light and fuck off to the twat requesting the Dexter theme tune.