Bell X1

Blue Lights On The Runway
BellyUp

They top charts back home in Ireland and have their songs played on American teen dramas, but there still exists a big gaping hole where Bell X1’s UK success should be. more… “Bell X1”

Travis

Glasgow ABC
Fri 26th September

 Watching Travis live is hilarious, and not only because Fran Healy appears to be performing dressed as Inspector Gadget tonight (hat and coat – no actual gadgets, sadly).

Red Light Company

Meccano
Lavolta

Bearing a resemblance to Arcade Fire’s ‘Rebellion (Lies)’ in its uplifting and spirited choruses, ‘Meccano’ gives the impression of a band much higher in numbers and giddily optimistic, rather than the sullen and leather-clad reality of London five piece Red Light Company. Vocalist Richard Frenneaux doesn’t sound half as magical on record than he does live, but this tune’s so huge in other ways that such weaknesses are barely noticeable.

I Was A Cub Scout

The Hunter's Daughter
XL

This limited edition cassette release marks the end of a two piece who were, barely a year ago, every indie scenester’s new favourite band. With such a meaty but delicate sound, it’s easy to see why – and equally hard to comprehend why they had to call it a day so soon. They could have picked a better song to go out with, but maybe they’re just being kind and trying to soften the blow.

Liam Finn

I'll Be Lightning
Transgressive

Grown up pop with an experimental edge, Liam Finn is one of those solo singer songwriter types that don’t just know how to write a pretty tune and strum a few guitar chords, but instead make huge albums that sound like the collective work of an army of creative and unique musicians. more… “Liam Finn”

Idlewild

Dunfermline Carnegie Hall (Tigerfest)
Saturday 17th May

Despite Roddy Woomble commenting on how comfortable everyone looked sitting in the venue’s neat rows of seats, it took less than the length of set opener, ‘Paint Nothing’, for a few hundred restless feet to race towards the edge of the stage. more… “Idlewild”

Archangel

Not The Man You Think I Am
Medical Imprint

One of those slow burners that will probably struggle to win over many fans first time, this is a kind of subtle dancefloor gem. more… “Archangel”

The Twilight Sad

Edinburgh Liquid Room
20th March 2008

Walking on to immediate technical difficulties, The Twilight Sad’s James Graham is instantly forced to break his promise not to talk during tonight’s gig. Apparently last time he spoke – at a gig in Stirling – he called the town a toilet. Maybe not the smartest thing to say in Stirling, but retold tonight it gets a good few chuckles. more… “The Twilight Sad”

The Teenagers

Reality Check
Merok/XL

Taking oddball to a whole new level, The Teenagers’ front man Quentin Delafon spits out strange stories over a mostly electronic backing – his cool French accent the only thing masquerading the often absolute vulgarity of the English words he’s speaking. more… “The Teenagers”