Why? – Central Methodist Hall, Manchester 10/10/12

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If you’ve never seen Cincinnati-based Why? live before, they’re certainly an interesting prospect to see on stage. Yoni Wolf’s lyrics have always made for good listening on record; but a live setting is where the words truly make an impact. Much has been made about Yoni’s confessional style, dealing with ill health and failed relationships; it’s like reading his diary and immediately regretting it.

Like any good rapper, he’ll pace all over the stage when he spits his rhymes; during the instrumental bits, he’ll clown around to the other members’ amusement. He’s either like an enthusiastic child or a well-trained Shire horse, we’re not sure.

However, there’s more to their popularity than hilarious dancing – the reason this alcohol-free venue is packed with people tonight is precisely because there’s no equivalent to Why? in the UK. There are no bands that mix live hip-hop with complex, deep and often smirk-raising lyrics in such a compelling way.

‘Jonathan’s Hope’, the first song on the new album, Mumps, etc deals with Yoni’s recovery from illness, and it’s a brunt choice for set opener, but it’s the only new song that pulled a punch tonight. Other new songs, chiefly ‘Strawberries’ and ‘Kevin’s Cancer’ fall flat, not because of the band, but because of a poor sound set-up.

Speaking of the band, Yoni’s back-up consists of family and friends, and it’s grown from a four-piece to a 6-strong band with two tight drummers. On ‘A Sky for Shoeing Horses Under’ Ben Sloan plays the glockenspiel and kick drum together. Doug McDiarmid and Liz Wolf swap instruments, Josiah Wolf masters playing the bass and drum kit all at once. It’s such a shame their trips to these shores are so fleeting.