After watching the highlights on channel 4 it made me sit back in awe, although not a lot was happening on stage a haunting atmosphere especially during their hit single ‘Wonderful Life’ was undeniable. It’s strange to think how they achieve this when Hutchcraft and Anderson are practically inactive on stage, yet the combination of subtle instrumental from the orchestra, Anderson on piano and impeccable vocals proved to be the winning formula. The only notable activity was the sporadic movements of the dancers placed at either end of the stage, dressed in lace with slicked back hair, they reminded me of the iconic females in Robert Palmer’s video ‘Addicted to Love.’
Unlike so many bands that tend to overwork their performance for a festival crowd, Hurts have done the opposite, stripping it bare and allowing the musical and vocal talent to shine. In interviews with the Northern pair they can appear awkward and unnatural in front of the camera and the composition of their performance perhaps reflects their modest and somewhat timid personalities. They sure know how to dress though and give Plan B a run for his money in the dapper-ness stakes.
