Music

The Japanese House @ Albert Hall review and gallery – Enchanting vocals and crafted brilliance

0 162

Featured image and gallery: Georgina Hurdsfield


The Japanese House, aka. Amber Bain, graces the stage of Manchester’s very own Albert Hall for the final night of her UK tour. Following the release of her sophomore album In the End It Always Does in June last year, The Japanese House has toured relentlessly. Her UK headline tour last October for the release of the album was followed by a support slot on The 1975’s UK Tour earlier this year. Now, The Japanese House is back out on a further headline run to give fans another opportunity to hear her new songs live. 

Opening the set with ‘Touching Yourself’, the track shows a likeable honesty matching its lavish pop-rock sound, while the catchy lyrics resonate with the crowd as they sing and bop along.

Bain’s enchanting vocals come to life in ‘Sad to Breathe’, outshining the crafted brilliance of the studio recording of In the End It Always Does. The Japanese House intertwines elements of the past and present through material like ‘Follow My Girl’, ‘Baby goes again’ and ‘You Seemed So Happy’. 

The Japanese House’s performance is stunning, completely captivating the audience. The crowd attentively listens and sings along, with very little talking, even on the slower numbers – this is undoubtedly a rarity in live music these days. With a set already filled with standout moments, it feels full circle to hear Bain perform her first single ‘Still’, which was later included on EP Pools to Bathe In.

After a brief interlude, The Japanese House performs the final two songs of the night. This includes unreleased track ‘Smiley Face’, an exciting surprise for many, bringing hope of further new music. She ends on fan-favourite ‘Sunshine Baby’, bringing nostalgic memories of summer 2023 into the Albert Hall. 

Amber Bain is leading a new generation of indie-pop and set for big things. The Japanese House can be seen headlining the Festival Republic stage at Leeds Festival this August. 

About the author / 

Georgina Hurdsfield

Masters student in Psychological Wellbeing in Clinical Practice at Manchester Metropolitan University. Keen photographer and music enthusiast.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Lights Up: Manchester’s cyclists illuminate the night calling for safer streets for women

    Photography: Adrianos Falkonakis, Chloe Tomkinson, Megan Levick, Simon WebbBy Megan Levick and Kate Dening “I left feeling so empowered.” Greater Manchester’s cycling community came together on Saturday for the second annual Lights Up night-time bike ride, an event designed to raise awareness of the issues women face when cycling, especially in the darker winter months….

  • Koyo / Oscar Bryrant & The BlueBirds / Slow Loris / Blythe @ The Castle Hotel review

    Featured image: Layla Caine Cowbells and proggy synthpop, anyone? With a stacked bill, the night promises to warm your cockles and shelter from the impending doom of market season in Manchester. If you can find the venue room, tucked away in an unassuming hallway, it’s a cosy affair. That is until our first support act…

  • Bee Pedal Ready’s Beatrice Cathro Wears: “We are all seeking community” 

    Featured image: Harry Platt Ahead of the Lights Up bike ride on 9 November, celebrating key issues around women and cycling, aAh! Magazine speaks to Beatrice Cathro Wears from Bee Pedal Ready. Beatrice has been a keen cyclist all her life. She joined Bee Pedal Ready when she moved to Manchester and is now a…