Good Friday in Glasgow and we are in for a fairly apocalyptic evening. Extreme Noise Terror is on the agenda (not on the bill but you know what I mean). The guest list queue outside ABC is about as long as the regular punters’ one with some familiar faces waiting to see this first “quadrophonic” gig for some time in Scotland. more… “The Twilight Sad / The Unwinding Hours”
In these days of production line pop pixies and even folk-ish acts like Mumford and Sons packing out venues, has the time finally come for one of British folks brightest talents? more… “Kathryn Williams”
Having bought a ticket for the King Tut’s show and finding it moved to the Classic Grand, Betty turns up around 8.30 to find that “the band’s on already, mate” and “curfew is 10pm” – not exactly a club show then. more… “Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip”
Cast your minds back to 1996, pop pickers, the year of Football’s Coming Home, Chris Evans’ gurning face on TFI Fridays and a number 3 hit for a former hospital porter from Yorkshire who had already released a batch of lo-fi recordings. more… “Baby Bird”
It’s a good record this – I liked the single (‘Heaven Can Wait’) and Gainsbourg, along with co-writer/producer Beck, expands on the sound on the album. Gainsbourg, possibly a bit grumpy after being violated by everyone’s favourite maverick film maker Lars Von Trier – thanks a bunch Lars – warbles in a very interesting way in the French and the British. It’s a bit plinky-plonky in places but sounds very real and organic (not orgasmic, that’s the other Gainsbourg you perverts). Will lay off any quips about Scientology but it’s not really a religion, is it Mr Becks?
A lot of Xmas songs this/last year – I blame Bob Dylan and his frankly worrying “album”, surely some kind of sick joke by Bob on the general public. more… “A Band Called Quinn”
Cuddly Shark have been attracting some unprecedented attention due to the Kevin McKidd Youtube clip more… “Cuddly Shark”
Another year, another new chanter in a Scottish accent – well this is encouraging, the Proclaimers were right all along more… “John Knox Sex Club”
I find myself tonight in the Concert Hall, aka Joe’s Porch, a municipal masterpiece more… “Scottish Songbook @ Celtic Connections”
It’s a good few years since the Pet Shop Boys have played Glasgow (early 90s even I think), although they did get quite close with what I hear was a pretty awesome show in a tent at TITP ’09 (or was it ’08?) more… “Pet Shop Boys”