Manu Chao at Brixton Academy

The torpor of a muggy Sunday night disperses among Brixton Academy’s fizzing anticipation. There is good reason for the excitement – only two days prior, Manu Chao released his first album in 17 years, Viva Tu. Though he hasn’t seen as much popularity in the UK compared to mainland Europe, his acoustic trio meets a packed-out theatre. 

An iconoclast in the music industry, Chao is dressed like he’s just arrived from the beach, rather than about to headline Brixton’s largest venue. A single kick drum grounds the set, allowing the indulgent conga rhythms to blossom around it. La Vida Tombola hails the Argentine football hero Diego Maradona, peppered with anti-corruption jibes at FIFA. His parents having fled from Franco’s fascist government, Chao’s music sears with political commentary. Police sirens permeate the set, goading raucous responses from the audience. 

Mr Bobby is an inspirational anthem, a generalised yet affecting call for global peace. Chao opines that “one day my dreams will be reality”. A horn section adds intoxicating melodic refrains, while the constant pulse of the bass drum beats faster in the choruses, urgent, insistent. These live renditions are generously extended, filled with false endings, which allow the band to rally the audience once more.

The performance has elements of a DJ mix, seamlessly calling back to the refrains of previous songs. This blurs the distinction between tracks, creating a disorientating but heady party atmosphere. It certainly helps that most of the songs sit in the same register, but the similarity starts to wear on the ears. On the other hand, it serves a clear purpose, and the success of this style is reflected in the crowd’s response. On Brixton Academy’s upper level, the seats are hardly needed. 

Chao orchestrates the audience with the flair and tenacity of a political revolutionary. At one point he sheds his instruments and beats the microphone against his chest with mounting intensity, carrying the crowd into a frenzy. In spite of his laid-back appearance, the pure force of personality is more than enough to match the adoration of 5000 fans. 

After a marathon two-hour set, it seems that Chao could have continued the party for much longer. Decades of performing only seems to have expanded his generosity as an artist. Manu Chao’s love for his craft is, after all, impossible to deny. 

Ben Browning
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Manu Chao’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Heaven’s Bad Day here: