New Century Hall, Manchester
Also channelling Elvis and Scott Walker, the charismatic singer’s character softens as he moves from bold songs from latest album A Firmer Hand to older tracks

On new album A Firmer Hand, Hamish Hawk traded the easy, early Scott Walker-indebted indie of previous albums – 2021’s Heavy Elevator and 2023’s Angel Numbers – for a darker, grittier, more sexually forthright evaluation of who the Edinburgh artist really is. The contrast gets turned up during this impressive show, which charts just how far he’s come; after more than a decade of releases, he has matured into a charismatic, Jarvis Cocker-esque performer at the edge of the big time.

After a quick introductory bow, Hawk leads his band breathlessly through A Firmer Hand’s opening four songs. His body tenses as he struts the stage, and his fierce glare only breaks when a raunchy one-liner – “I felt him fit me like a glove” he croons on Machiavelli’s Room – propels his eyebrows upwards. Save for a couple of playful touches – the “uh-huh” in Machiavelli’s Room comes an Elvis lip-curl, and the “playground jazz” in Big Cat Tattoos with a flash of jazz hands – this opening run is poised, serious business. When Hawk finally addresses the crowd – “there’s nowhere we’d rather be,” he beams – the sudden warmth comes as a shock.