And So I Watch You From Afar are steadily notching up great accolades; most recently the four-piece from Belfast won the Northern Ireland Music Award (NIMA) for Best Live Act 2011.
Although, you can never really gauge these things truly until you witness it for yourself. You begin to doubt the claims of ‘Best Band’ and ‘Best Live Act’ when you see Muse running riot at these things. Best lights show, perhaps; band most likely to induce an epileptic fit, probable; but best live act, they ain’t!
This, on the other hand is everything that a live rock gig – in the true sense of the words – should be; and there is nothing to get adrenaline flowing like the prospect of a last minute show in a 100 capacity venue, with a band who thrive on their intense, energy-fuelled live performances and loyal hardcore following, who turn up proudly bearing tattooed homage to the post-rock outfit.
The stage – in a most loose sense of the word – is set; only recognisable by the strewn oval-shaped assembly of stage monitors on the floor; and is a far cry from a sold-out Ulster Hall where the band played only a few weeks ago.
With no security, no risers and no barrier it’s all a bit enthralling. Through word of mouth, and Facebook, the crowd have mustered together in the small basement like, seedily-cool, Bar Bloc – situated in Glasgow’s city centre – and are satisfyingly stimulated with a contagious mix of anticipation and alcohol.
It’s after 11pm and there is still no sign of the band; who earlier in the evening had their set cut short while supporting The Joy Formidable at the Oran Mor. The loyal stronghold have taken over the venue; and only show reserved support for the unsigned local acts on show.
As the basement door swings open for the thousandth time, giving much needed Glasgow breeze, this time the doorway is filled with the silhouettes of the amp-carrying musicians. Neither looking particularly gleeful, nor glum, ASIWYFA struggle through the throng to the back of the den and setup shop.
Finally it is open for business and there is no better welcoming from them than the zesty ‘BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION’, which whipped the crowd into a frenzy, bouncing from side to side as the beads of sweat already began to roll. As the song rides over and over the twinkling guitar melody – before the quiet-loud dynamic is established – the anticipation is almost tangible; as everyone tried their hardest not to get ahead of themselves as they knew what lay ahead.
To those unassuming bystanders caught up in the action the oral assault must have been heart rendering as the band smash full-throttle into a hurricane of sound attacking the ear-drums, unreservedly.
Only two songs into the set there are already bodies being hoisted and ferociously tossed about overhead with limbs flailing everywhere, which is pretty challenging for a venue with a low-level ceiling. But it only adds to the sense of anarchy which has quickly ensued.
As the night progresses each song is played with the right amount of valour and intensity. Weaving seamlessly through the set there is little time for wordy thank-yous. The quiet-loud sound dynamic of ASIWYFA is built for cavern venues like this. The dextrous harmonies and the ferocious riff-filled delivery create more than a gig – it is an exhilarating musical experience.
The throng swelled and staggered haphazardly, and the pull of bands heavy emotive post-rock infused with the signature Mogwai sounding guitar even had the regular punters put in a shift they didn’t expect. Sometimes you felt like dancing, but most of the time you just wanted to carelessly thrash about and sweat it all out.
As sub-cult hits such as ‘Search: Party: Animal’, ‘Don’t Waste Time Doing Things You Hate’ and ‘Set Guitars to Kill’ pour out, the place is elated beyond all reasonable proportion. The night finishes gloriously on ‘The Voiceless’; and all too soon it is over, leaving every beer sodden fan with a sense of triumph and adulation.