EMBRACE @ CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22 FOLLOWING the chart-topping success of their comeback album, aptly titled This New Day, indie legends Embrace took to the stage last Friday evening at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. With a more than sol

EMBRACE @ CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22

FOLLOWING the chart-topping success of their comeback album, aptly titled This New Day, indie legends Embrace took to the stage last Friday evening at the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

With a more than solid support set from Four Day Hombre and a fantastic set from Hastings band Mumm-Ra, who were so good I felt compelled to look them up as soon as I got home, Embrace made a trademark, low-key entrance to a pretty chilled-out crowd.

With an upbeat selection of tracks from the last two albums, and the inclusion of an obscure yet very moving B-side Feels like Glue from the album Dry Kids, Embrace looked confident and comfortable as they strolled their way through some of their biggest successes.

Come Back To What You Know and Looking As You Are were my personal highlights, although a mind-blowing, soul-lifting version of Ashes as the final song in the encore was more than worth the ticket price on its own.

What Embrace lack in rock 'n roll persona, they more than make up for in sparks of lyrical genius. There are soaring piano hooks which would not be out of place in a Coldplay album This New Day really seems to be flying the flag for British indie talent.

Danny McNamara's voice is fragile, every song fuelled with a heart-wrenching, bittersweet tenderness. The band themselves have quashed any rumours of a break-up, and after such a performance, and two number one albums, I believe that things can only get better for the re-born Embrace.

Amy Hodkinson

RE-BORN: Right, Danny and Richard McNamara from Embrace.

Picture: CHRIS BOLAND