If you go down to the park today…
This was for many people the most anticipated day of live music in Scotland of the year (!). After a reasonable summer festival season and an epic (in length and weather) Chemical Underground-curated free gig at Glasgow Green during the CommGames (see previous BM reviews) this event looked even better.
This was initally billed as a Mogwai gig (great in itself but doors 1pm and £38.50 plus charges, what were they going to do in between?), however, information about something that would be far more of a major event started leaking out in dribs, as they say, and drabs.
BM was innocently (ok readers maybe not, BM, may be their stalker but not blowing cover, or anything else at the same time, eh readers, gratuitous you are) checking out Young Fathers’ live schedule on their website in late June, having bought a ticket but missed their gig at Old Fruitmarket Scotch Refugee Week (spent entire evening at Yorkshill Hospital, but we don’t talk about that one readers) when she noticed “August 31st, Glasgow Richmond Park”.
Aha, and oooh! So that was it, ticket purchased (number 012), which shows how slow business was for them at this point. And then, OMG, jings, crivvens etc, the rest of the line-up was announced in late July I think – couldn’t believe it, I mean Young Fathers, Twi Sad, Flip Buttons and Mogwai all on the same bill, with Wedding Present and others for added interest and nostalgia effect, had BM taken too much valium that day? Nope, it was really to happen, so mucho respect to EESocial that this event ever came to pass, just for the line-up it was already a legend in the East End, and far beyond.
And so it was built, in Richmond Park, a slightly obscure area adjoining Glasgow Green, to the East, in prime post CommGames rejuvenation territory, and right beside the River Clyde. Again an inspired choice, both ticking the box for drawing attention to an under-rated piece of Green Space, but also keeping things well away from the general public so like-minded music aficionados could just get on with it in peace. TITP this was not, there was a certain feeling of being part of a knowing cadre, though not really in a snobby or hipster way. The site had security, a big fence, a 3000 capacity marquee, plenty of toilets and dry weather pretty much throughout. What could possibly go wrong?
Just to mention that the main rival competing show for East End Social this weekend was… ITNG Live…
WTF? you say, you hipster crants have no idea about parenthood, hold onto your frankly ridiculous overgrown beards. In The Night Garden Live is a cult, bit like the Quo, but with more artics of equipment than the Quo. Unfortunately the Shitty Cooncil’s people thought otherwise and bumped capacity down by 50% leading the use of the legendary social media hashtag, and I quote because you couldn’t make this up, readers, and future parents consider how stupid you can look, “hashtag GCC makingchildrencry” – get a life you parents… Tent did look cool though, at QP Rec, aliens had landed, but they won’t be back after that fiasco…
Actually BM is not going to do the obvious here re West Brewery etc, let’s just say that she doesn’t have a hangover today, or anything like it, need we say more… What Betty would say however is that a couple of contingencies (like a van or two of Pilsner from Lidl Rutherglen or Parkhead) might have been a good idea, would have volunteered to drive it but no one asked. And a shortlist of mobile chippies on standby. Not sure if Petra Von Fustenberg or whoever the pilsner she is was on the fussball with this one but nothing much happened to improve the situation. However this was not the TITP crowd or the Buckie Rage, so fortunately riots were averted, though a couple of people with beards got a bit shirty.
So to put this one to bed, it was not the Indie Altamont (thankyou for the suggestion louderthanwar.com, although seems the whole review has been removed from that site)
One other observation Chems – let’s have more females and and some all-female acts on the stage, they are out there you know, BM felt quite outnumbered…
Due to time constraints will now try to review bands in the Twitt. mode, ie less than 140+ letters, or maybe a bit more)…
So here goes:
Swervedriver: 90s Oxford shoegaze refugees, sounded great, MBV offshoot sound, drummer a bit scary…
Young Fathers: Edinburgh experimental hiphop outfit, possibly the performance of the day, full of rage, soulfulness, weird noises, visually arresting.
The Twilight Sad: BM long term faves and still probably BM’s fave Scottish band. In modest mood, James thanking EES repeatly for the chance to play on such a dream billing. Selection of songs from all albums plus at least one new track, sounding even better…
The Wedding Present: 90s throwbacks and former Peel Faves, mixture of new bloke lyrics and buzzsaw guitars was winning at the time before they headed in a heavier direction with Albini producing. Current version was put together for this event by lead man Gedge, including past present and future members (Missy Tassels on bass making her second WP appearance ever). Gedge accused Mogwai of nicking most of his riffs before indie disco classic ‘My Favourite Dress’ ended the set, they also appeared very please to be here.
James Holden: Spend entire set in the queue for beer, nuff said, sorry James but it sounded good.
Fuck Buttons: Fearsome techno-doom and electronica duo, facing each other at each end of a big table live. Set was heavy on recent album ‘Slow Focus’ but selections from the classic ‘Tarot Sport’ also appeared, causing some of us to need a good lie-down afterwards, some of these tracks are monsters, ‘Flight of the Feathered Serpent’ indeed…
Mogwai: This was their show but really the day was more of a collective endeavour. Hadn’t seen them touring ‘Rave Tapes’ until now, the live set-up has changed a bit with Stuart on the left of the stage (or right if you are in the audience), and Barry’s keyboard setup now occupying the centre. The sound mix is fab, the band seem to be in a good mood and selections from the massive back catalogue are played beside stuff from Rave Tapes.
Didn’t stay to the bitter end as some in my company were getting a bit jaded but this day was one of the best ever, bar none, and EES should be pleased with themselves, a great, bold and sublime achievement to mount a unique and daring event – well done yous…