A brief afternoon shower threatened to dampen proceedings, but it soon passed, allowing the sunshine to break through over a packed Piece Hall on Sunday evening. On paper, Saint Etienne and Belle and Sebastian might seem unlikely bedfellows; in practice, however, they proved the perfect complement to one another, delivering a night steeped in nostalgia, craft and enduring songwriting.
Saint Etienne took to the stage first, expanded beyond their core trio of Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs with additional musicians on drums, bass and backing vocals. Remarkably, this was their first live performance in three years, yet there was little sign of rust as they romped through a stellar catalogue that balanced beloved classics with a selection of newer material.
Cracknell’s vocals were as warm and assured as ever, while the band sounded tight, relaxed and genuinely delighted to be back in front of an audience. The Halifax crowd responded in kind, embracing every moment. While 2024’s The Night was presented as the final Saint Etienne album, this performance suggested there is still plenty of life left in the group as a live proposition. If this was a reminder of what they’ve been away from, it was a compelling one.
The baton was then passed to Belle and Sebastian, who arrived in full celebratory mode to mark the 30th anniversary of their landmark 1996 album If You’re Feeling Sinister. Proceedings began with a short film introduction narrated by the album’s cover star, Ciara MacLaverty, before the band launched into a complete performance of the record.
From the opening notes of “The Stars of Track and Field”, it was clear this would be no museum-piece recreation. With what appeared to be as many as nine musicians on stage, Belle and Sebastian moved fluidly between instruments throughout, subtly reshaping and embellishing songs that many in attendance know by heart. The understated harmonica of “Me and the Major” was brought gloriously to the fore, transforming the song into a rollicking, blues-inflected singalong, while elsewhere the band shifted effortlessly between chamber-pop elegance and shimmering synth textures.
The beauty of If You’re Feeling Sinister has always lain in its balance of intimacy and sophistication, and these songs have lost none of their power over three decades. Cello and violin added warmth and texture to the album’s quieter moments, while the bigger crowd favourites drew predictably rapturous responses. “Like Dylan in the Movies”, “The Fox in the Snow” and the title track were greeted with particular affection, while “Seeing Other People” and an imperious “Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying” underlined just how deep the record’s quality runs.
If there was any lingering doubt beforehand, this performance confirmed If You’re Feeling Sinister as far more than an indie classic. It remains a genuinely timeless album, packed with songs that continue to resonate long after the era that produced them.
As ever, Stuart Murdoch was a genial and engaging host, cajoling, charming and gently conducting the audience through the evening. Following the album’s conclusion, the band dipped into a well-chosen selection of favourites, including “Step Into My Office, Baby”, “Another Sunny Day”, “The Boy With the Arab Strap” and “Dear Catastrophe Waitress”, before returning for an encore of the ever-wonderful “Sleep the Clock Around”.
As the sun finally set over Piece Hall, both bands demonstrated the enduring appeal of their respective catalogues. Saint Etienne offered a welcome reminder of their singular charm, while Belle and Sebastian delivered a celebration of one of the defining albums of the 1990s. Together, they made for a near-perfect summer evening.
photo credit: Cuffe and Taylor
