A night of celebration this, one year on from the initial launch, the LNFG ‘thing’ goes from strength to strength, supporting a wide range of mainly Scottish-based artists using a crowd-funding based subscription model. So as well a range of artist releases this year the 180 or so members got free admission to this joyful event.
There were balloons, (disco) biscuits and four contrasting acts, all associated with the LNFG label. Stephen Solo (more of later) gave an earnest introduction about how the West of Scotland (or maybe Glasgow, it was too surreal to take in!) Scalextric Appreciation Society had a breakaway ‘chopper’ disagreement and then reconvened some years later to do this ‘because running a record label was easier’… He also opined that ‘middle-aged c___s need a hobby’.
First up was Sister John, a four piece Glasgow based outfit who the label had not actually heard playing live before ‘but just liked’. A laid-back sound (guitars and fiddle, then switching to all guitars) with lead singer Amanda’s vocals to the fore, there were bits of American, bluegrass and country-pop in there. Single ‘He Came Down’ is already out on LNFG but it was the fourth song of the five they played which really floated Betty’s boat, darker and more Fleetwood Mac than the others, with some strong guitar-riffing. Very promising act, ones to watch as they say.
Next on was Emme (Morgan) Woods, another LNFG regular with several releases under the belt, this time playing with a full band, five people in all (BM thinks, quite far back in the crowd during this). As well as EW’s guitar there were keyboards quite prominent, as well as several trumpet lines supplied a well-kent player Neil Mackenzie. Several familiar songs like ‘It’s my party’ and ‘Drink to forget’ were played as well as at least one new one. It sounds like classic Americana – bluesy, atmospheric, a bit brooding and dark at times, smoke-tinged even – a really good set, all witnessed by among others EW’s chihuahua Bubbles. Could start a trend, after last weekend’s experience of a Staffie trying to rush security at St Lukes and all…
Glasgow’s Medicine Men were next – a band who have experienced a couple of line-up changes recently and are now on the verge (well the copies came back early from the pressing plant to so fact it has been released) of officially releasing their album ‘Into the Light’. With a new and very handsome (ok BM had to say that!) drummer and bass player imported from another Glasgow combo, they are still a four piece, with their keyboards player and lead vocalist/guitarist remaining intact.
Older track ‘Show What You’re Made Of’ is a stomp-along tune of rare quality, while ‘Golden Packets’ recalls classic Nougats style garage rock. The sound system at Stereo does their efforts full justice and there are some highly effective psych-rock guitar/keyboard wigouts. There are also some interesting New Order-esque sounds somewhere in there, a good thing in Betty’s book, readers… ‘In the Breeze’ ‘not on the album’ is another highlight and they go offstage having proven to Glasgow that the new line-up really rocks, and then some! BM salutes you, guys, a new live discovery and lookin forward to spinning that album as well…
Last but by no means least were Betty favourites, the consistently astonishing BooHooHoo. There is very little further that BM can say about this juddering disco monster (‘the Godzillas of Glaswegian electro’ – is that good enough for you, guys, you can use that one for free!). Fresh from recording a new single (‘Fire’) and with an album in the works, what we get is the faves and one, possibly two new songs. For those who don’t already know, BooHooHoo are a four piece Scottish band (Richard, Reggie, Lizzie on various keyboards and bass things, and Ewan on drums).
They are introduced by Stephen Solo, giving the audience false and toe-curlingly embarrassing ‘facts’ about his chat with them backstage ‘I’m so sorry guys, but Liz is about tae split off fur a flute solos only band…’ etc. If a band can survive this kind of introduction, well they survive anything. The dancing starts almost immediately (well BM did anyway, sensibly left the 8 inch stacks at home – this is testament to BM’s dedication to BHH btw!).
Songs played (probably not in the correct order) were ‘Stay Intact'(with its infectious ‘hit the ground running’ refrain), ‘Dreams Tonight’, ‘Now is the Season’, all stone-cold electro bangers, with the sound system booming out the beats. ‘Mould Me’ had the customary flute solo by Liz and was better than ever. The alternating male and female vocals, throbbing basslines, thundering drums and the rest just do it, simple as that. At some point (it is really all a blur, the sweat was pouring off, apologies!), the ‘Lidl’ guy was identified in the audience – ‘he is a dancer – met him at Lidl’. He stepped up and proved to be an amazing and acrobatic dancer, good grief almighty!
New single ‘Fire’ sounded pretty amazing, a reworking of a track previously in the live set, and an absolute belter. BM is getting eargasms just thinking about it again, good god they are good.
Shouts of “One more tune” (just me then?) were alas sadly not to be the case. It remained for Stephen Solo (again the lugubrious compere) to perform his very affecting track ‘Crying Because’, much love in the house for that.
After the gig the lastest vinyl was distributed and everyone went home to their happy homes (or not!) thoroughly sated, such a good night, and BM hopes there will be many more – like the man said, middle-aged c___ts gotta have a hobby.