The first and last time I saw Jeremy Warmsley was when I was went to see Liam Finn. I liked him but I wasn’t overly impressed. This time was different, this time I fell in love. more… “Jeremy Warmsley”
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. more… “Blood Red Shoes / Rolo Tomassi / 1984”
Whitburn Miners Welfare was an unforeseen perfect venue for a great gig. Not unlike The Phoenix Club in Phoenix Nights, it’s all red velvet, cheap drinks, 60 year old bar staff and hilarious banter. more… “Casino”
Leeds punks Guns of the Roof have been frequent visitors to Glasgow over the years, but with a new album about to hit the shops in a little over a week and stellar support being provided by The Hyperjax, this is sure to be an evening to remember. more… “Guns on the Roof”
Flint has the audience well prepared for her by support act Paul Guilbody, whose set is best described as ‘friendly’. Opener ‘Tunnet Man’ nicely sets the tone – haunting, low-key and yet, naggingly addictive. more… “Kat Flint”
And still they rise. With just a matter of hours to go before their debut LP is released, Glasvegas are headlining Edinburgh’s Liquid Rooms. Their current UK tour has completely sold out (tonight’s show sold out within 24 hours) and tickets are changing hands for £50 on eBay. All the way up the street, touts are begging to buy tickets… but that’s a whole other rant. more… “Glasvegas”
It seems like a no-brainer to comment on the difference between live gigs and recorded music. One is temporary, communal and fleeting, the other is toiled over, tinkered with and ultimately static. It seems obvious, yet some bands forget that merely replicating their recorded efforts is not enough. more… “Johnny Foreigner / Dananananaykroyd / Jesus H. Foxx”
With all the recent hoo-ha about a certain Glasvegas album, one other ‘major’ Scottish release was quite overlooked. Perennial indie chancers ballboy put out their 5th album to little fanfare. more… “ballboy”
With music’s apparently unstoppable ‘new model’ – where music is free and bands make a living from live shows – where do free gigs (for band and audience) fit in? more… “Frightened Rabbit / We Were Promised Jeptacks”
Picture, if you will, a scene from countless horror movies in which an innocent young couple wanders naively into a dark and creepy alleyway in search of fun.
On one side are huge railway arches and on the other a wasteland heading towards the backs of blocks of flats.
That’s what the journey to tonight’s venue is like – just a little terrifying.
But luckily, there is a light at the end of the road and in that light is a man holding a trombone, which is definitely a good sign.
Inside the good people of Chemikal Underground records have put on a feast for both the ears and the stomach (free marshmallows and fudge).
The night begins with De Rosa – or rather, singer Martin Henry’s solo acoustic set.
With just a guitar and his soft burr of vocals, the stripped-down but eloquent delivery shows the strength of their songs.
Things carry along nicely with Aidan John Moffat who admits from the beginning that he “can’t play any fucking instruments” and hasn’t had time to rehearse.
Despite that his musings on love, life and even ghosthunters are as entertaining as ever and his audience patter keeps the crowds laughing.
The main attraction, though, is Angil and the Hiddntracks – all the way, as lead man Mickael Mottet explains, from St Tinn in France.
It’s their first Glasgow show but from the warm welcome it’s obvious that they already have a few fans locally.
Brand new tracks pepper a set of tunes from Oulipo Saliva – out on Chemikal in November, hence tonight’s celebrations.
The band starts out ever-so-quietly with tinkly xylophone and breathy vocals but soon build themselves up in to a walloping noise.
Some of the songs could almost pass for lounge music – but in good way – while others stomp along joyously with almost an oom-pah-pah.
The set closer builds to a huge crashing combination of drums, trombone, violin, guitar, double bass and whatever else they fancy chucking into the mix.
It would be deeply surprising if the band hasn’t picked up a few more supporters from a set like that – despite competing with the “I prefer the sound of my own voice” lot stood over at the bar.
So thanks for finally visiting Angil – and please, come back soon.