Billed as a birthday party and MCed by Vic Galloway, this wasn’t exactly Chem’s greatest hits, more an indication of their fairly adventurous, maybe not always 100% on the money, but truly independent (no “landfill indie” here) outlook. A roll-call of their signings is impressive in itself, notable absentees (no the gig was none the worse for it) Mogwai (now on their own label), Bis, and of course not forgetting Magoo and Cha Cha Cohen.
 
This was a long night, one of 7 acts, and interspersed with some “classic” Chemikal videos and songs (who can forget Malc’s ‘Crappo the Clown’, given big screen time here and utterly hilarious), and Mr Galloway’s musings, urgings and general upbeatness (I could see some of the audience wincing as of course it’s not that cool to celebrate success or even birthdays for some of us).
 

First up was Adrian Crowley (not Aleister, satanist readers), singer-songwriter musings, some lyrical and some more direct - ok, just admit Betty you don’t really know this guy’s work but it sounded pretty good - mature, considered, good band behind him, I’m just not quite sure what route he needs to take to more success - the David Gray or the Conor Oberst route? If he even wants it… (BM)
 
Zoey Van Goey are the label’s other ‘new signings’ following a flurry in last season’s transfer window. Always a eminently enjoyable band in their own (smaller) shows they’re not overawed by the setting, though the chat from drummer Matt, which usually holds the set together, is understandably in shorter supply. Nonetheless, their bright harmonised pop - think Aberfeldy without the 70s cop show themes - is again one that works, and their bouncy demeanour, in a sense, does what Chemikal does best - confounds expectations and entertains. (CC)

They may be mid-bill, but they’re easily the most eagerly-awaited set of the night. The Unwinding Hours, for the uninitiated, are composed of one half of Aereogramme. And while there will be some shift in dynamic, and indeed some impetus lost from the original lineup, the new act has two vital components - Iain Cooke’s bank of inspired cinematic production ideas, and Craig B’s hallmark vocals. And while they may have moved away, slightly, from their rock heritage on their self-titled debut album, you’d not know it from tonight’s set. ‘Knut’ opens, and following a subtle build-up in time-honoured fashion, sears, rages, and explodes. There’s respite in ‘Annie Jane’ - their “slow sexy number”, Craig promises, though with the lyric “drag me from ocean to grave” it’s maybe not exactly the ’sexy’ you were expecting. Delicacies aside, the band plough on - the bass on ‘Peaceful Liquid Shell’ judders the entire venue, before ‘Final Hour’ collapses in on itself and threatens to take the planet with it. A good night’s work then. (SMcH)

Analysing the running order is an entertaining between-act diversion - especially with the night’s organisers not being vain enough to fight it out as headliners at their own party. It’d make it too easy for everyone to compare former Delgados Emma Pollock and Alun Woodward if they were put back-to-back, but we can try anyway. Woodward slots in mid-bill, but with an 11-piece band in tow this is far from a low-key set. But a big sound is necessary to match the big ideas on his debut album under the Lord Cut Glass moniker and it’s a collection of highly ambitious ideas, with kitchen sink arrangements (sound familiar?) propelling some infectious and highly entertaining tunes. With Spanish influences on ‘You Know’, the frenetic Russian folk song that is ‘Be Good to Your Wife’ and the frankly unclassifiable ‘Big Time Teddy’, it’s fair to say that you can take the boy out of the Delgados, but… (SMcH)

Aidan Moffat - well what can I say, have been banging into him(not banging him, in your dreams Mr Moffat) in toilets and Fall gigs for many a long year (I remember him directing his bagpipe player in the toilets at Cottiers many moons ago, say no more missus etc) and I think he’s one of the best things to come out of Falkirk in… ok, anyway. Moffat tonight appears as a kind of lounge-drummer act, with Bill Wells ably on piano and a funky double bass player in Stevie Jones, it’s like a surreal episode of Jazz Club for complete perverts. Singing and drumming like Phil Collins or that Cadbury’s monkey (ok, he’s better looking than both, sorry Aidan) this scene and the music is comical and I am unrepentant to say that I chortled and howled throughout. At one point he got his maracas out while the opening song was like “theme from Hamlet cigar advert”.  He cut a stalker melodrama short with “have you had your tea?” but perhaps the audience was shocked or too removed from reality (no pissed friends shouting abuse - have you gone legit then Aidan?). Perhaps a career in panto awaits, he certainly has the comic timing and some great lines as usual. Ever forward, Aidan… (BM)

Emma Pollock’s departure from the Delgados was followed swiftly by her departure (as a recording artist) from the label which she continued to run, but despite her 4AD release containing the kinds of hooks that your Florences and Pearls would struggle to find if they were marked “TUNE” in 20 foot flashing neon. Despite that, Emma has returned to the fold and her new album (and debut for Chemikal, odd to say) is imminent. Sounding rockier than the major label work, Emma delivers song after song (okay, around half-a-dozen) impeccably, her voice better than ever and this batch of new material promising great things. (CC)

And so to the headliners. The Phantom Band have had quite a year (topping polls everywhere including the one run by this very website) and it’s in part their live set which is gaining the plaudits. Taking the opportunity to use the projection facilities at the ABC, they display a selection of looping films which match perfectly the mesmeric Krautrock-inspired tunes that make up the band’s Checkmate Savage album. You get the feeling that they may be destined for great great things, and after 15 years, it’s something that no-one could deny Scotland’s favourite indie label. (CC)

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Reviews by Calum Craig, Betty Mayonnaise and Stuart McHugh. Photos by Andrew McKenna.

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