Tonight’s show was a learning experience, for three reasons. 1: I had no idea Drummonds could ever get this busy. 2: Blood Red Shoes are really popular. 3: the guy in the cap standing in front of me is the most annoying person I’ve ever experienced.
Yes you, you fat child, somehow nursing a beer. With your obvious disdain for other members of a crowd, your slanted cap and your friends with so much hair it’s unreal. I’ve never actually wished alopecia on a person before, but you, friend of fat cap wearer, with your smug grin and your horrific lack of gig etiquette; away with you, I hope your mum never lets you out of the house to join the public ever, ever again.
Anyway, 1984 kicked off proceedings with their brand of slightly dark indie rock, with a pretty cool light show thing going on in the background. I think they’re big in their homeland of France, because they ooze confidence and know how to work a crowd, but their songs didn’t have enough quality to keep the performance interesting. For a while, their set was like a game of ‘spot the song’, with Nirvana and Franz Ferdinand riffs being recycled here and there. A confident performance, however, and the crowd seemed to love them, with the feeling clearly mutual.
Rolo Tomassi were a bizarre choice of support. The incredible screaming of Eva (a contrast to her endearing whisper between songs), and the brilliantly entertaining performance of James, bouncing off keyboard stands like a puppet, confused and shocked an unsuspecting crowd. Between crashing drums, huge riffs and choruses of screams, the band apologised for not having played in Aberdeen for a long time. Come back soon, we need you.
Blood Red Shoes immediately endeared themselves to the Aberdeen crowd (me in particular) by having a pop at Glasvegas, who were playing in Moshulu while this two piece enticed a packed Drummonds. Hits like the self-deprecating ‘I Wish I Was Someone Better’ were brilliantly received by the crowd, who were shouting every word back to the band. For me, however, the performance showed the limitations of a two-piece, and songs began to get samey. Still, Blood Red Shoes should be proud of being able to attract such a huge crowd to an Aberdeen gig, especially on the night that Glasvegas were in town. I always thought that Aberdonians, as a public, didn’t go to see bands in big numbers apart from AECC headliners, but obviously we’re just fussy about what we go to.