I missed the football for this. While Holland strode to a surprise win over the Italians, City Seemed Eager took the stage for a surprising set. Complete with a new guitarist, they were on fantastic form. I’ve seen them a few times before, when they were good, but something was missing. Tonight Scott’s prowess as a songwriter is evident, while new guitarist Donald is a great addition. Complete with the pounding drums of Callum Wilkinson they play an extremely tight, if short set, which proves to be the highlight of an otherwise uninspiring evening. ‘Josephine’ and ‘What Am I Going To Do?’ are the highlights of the set, showing the range of the band – the former works as an instrumental while the latter, with its wall-of-noise introduction bursts erratically into an air-punching screaming-bloody-murder beauty of a song. Impressive stuff, for sure.
While the Italians missed chances to impress, as did The Elizabeths. These guys are punks, man. Or something. They delve from lad rock hooks to Clash-esque punk bursts, while also channeling Dead Kennedys at times, but none of it to any great deal of ability. There’s a great deal of the arrogance displayed without the songs to back it up. The vocal performances lack quality and the guitar sound also needs work. An uninspiring performance.
Just as the Dutch sink the World Champions, the third band of the night, Nicked, show potential in their punk-fused racket. This band reminds me of a faster Fighting with Wire, with art-pop sensibilities. The band shows a fair amount of promise but it’s obvious that they are yet to showcase the best of their abilities. As the Italian football team starts a tournament slowly, and gradually begins to show its quality, Nicked venture into the early stages of their gigging career with a rather hit-and-miss set, but in years to come, could become a force to be reckoned with in the Aberdeen music scene.
I fear I mentioned the football too much.
//Euan Davidson