Daughter @ Academy, Manchester, 24 Oct

For a band known for their intimate sound, it’s exciting to see Daughter grow. Instead of retreating into the formula that made If You Leave a success, this year’s Not to Disappear saw Daughter experiment, expanding their sound to create a grander, more resonant record.

Such growth in the studio is emphasised in this live setting, as the London three-piece are joined by additional percussion, keys and a brass trio who layer sounds over heavy drum rolls and synth pulses, like some kind of brooding psychedelic orchestra. 

Yet at no point does it feel like Daughter are overcompensating, trying to breach the gap between their intensely intimate recordings and a large live venue. Instead, the additional instrumentation is carefully restrained, highlighted during Numbers when the band drops out and Elena Tonra’s vocals draw the crowd in. 

As the night progresses and Daughter hit their stride, their musicianship shines through. Although Tonra is tucked away somewhere to the side, her voice takes centre stage, rising with emotion while retaining the delicacy that define Daughter’s records. During Love, Igor Haefeli plays his Les Paul with a bow as Remi Aguilella moves between sticks, brushes and mallets on drums, continually changing the character and dynamics of each song. Meanwhile, the brass trio switch trombones for vocal mics and weave in and out of dreamy harmonies, creating a billowing backdrop for Tonra’s starkly personal lyrics.

On No Care, Tonra puts down her guitar and sings with her hands clutched up against her chest, endearing her to the crowd who light up the Academy with phones and lighters. In between songs they offer nothing but ‘thank you’, and the band look almost overwhelmed as they come back out for a massive encore.

It’s in these candid moments that Daughter’s appeal is apparent, offering an honesty that remains undiminished even as they set their sights on bigger things.