Malcolm Middleton / Seamus Fogarty

The stage at the Electric Circus looks rather bare this evening with just one microphone stood tall under the lights and a couple of guitar cases stashed in the shadows at the back.

Seamus Fogarty, an amiable raconteur who has recently released his debut album on Fence Records, starts things off. He talks and sings of past exploits in such a skilful manner that it all blends into one long entertaining anecdote. His songs are clever, humorous and heartfelt, most notably ‘God Damn You Mountain’ with its tale of his favourite yellow t-shirt.
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“Here are some songs from the old album, they’re really depressing” says Malcolm Middleton introducing one of several tracks from his solo debut ‘5:14 Fluoxytine Seagull Alcohol John Nicotine’, recently released on vinyl for the first time to celebrate its eleventh anniversary. The dark subject matter doesn’t prove overbearing though as his patter between tunes is at times very funny indeed. The venue is packed and attentive, with each song well-received, even when he forgets the words. Self-effacing and honest to a fault, he can’t help but criticize his mistakes, at one point jokingly apologising for sounding too “slick”. His generous hour and forty-five minute set includes ‘Crappo the Clown’, ‘A Brighter Beat’, ‘Red Travelling Socks’ and ‘Blue Plastic Bags’ which has everyone singing along to its ‘sad song’ refrain. It’s great stuff and with a Scottish Album of the Year nomination for his 2012 ‘Human Don’t Be Angry’ record and several fantastic new songs debuted this evening, it’s no wonder he can’t help cracking a smile.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.