The first Outwith Festival for three years promises bands and venues galore. Many of the venues are the same as last time (PJ’s, Lourenzos, Monty’s), some are not used this time (British Legion being the obvious one) and several are new (Fire Station). The event is again helped by the weather, which despite the venues all being indoors, does affect the general vibe of many events. However, it’s dry and sunny, with some great views of the Forth Bridges from the town centre. At £20 it ticket it is also fantastic value for money…
Things get started around 4pm with a bit of confusion at Lourenzos when Moonlight Zoo‘s soundcheck overruns and people try to go up the wrong staircase – comedy ensues etc. As it is when the band (who have gigged regularly in this venue and town and seemed to personally know at least half the audience) are finally ready to start they put in a good performance (‘Vagabond’ maybe the most distinctive track today), slightly reminiscent of those other heroes of this town – Big Country.
BM then legs it to Monty’s (still love the heavy metal posters on the stairs seemingly unchanged for decades, including some of Lita Ford in some suggestive poses, she must be in her 60s now… – and then there’s that pole beside the stage, doesn’t really look as if it is propping up anything, but who knows what this venue has hosted over the years). Eve Davidson is playing some solo guitar tunes, ‘All For A Reason’ being probably the stand-out. Resonant songs, stylings maybe a wee bit KT Tunstall, and including a cover of ‘Iron Sky’; one to watch out for in future BM thinks.
Dundee three piece Red Vanilla give a good account of themselves at PJ Molloys with some Wolf Alice-esque guitar thrash and some decent tunes, of which maybe ‘Embers’ is best – a new act for BM anyway.
Over at the Brasshouse (which BM may dimly recall from last time but can’t be too sure) Glasgow’s Lemon Drink are as good as ever – spiky guitar licks, propulsive drums and Sophie’s distinctive vocal tones. Several new tunes are aired including the interestingly titled ‘Patsy Kensit’ plus oldies such as ‘Sip Sip’ and ‘Demon Child’.
Next up at the Brasshouse are ForeignFox, another relatively local act who have been a wee bit quiet of late (well there was yon Covid thingy etc). They come crashing to life with tracks such as ‘Exit Friend’ and some references to an in-the-pipeline album if BM was not mistaken. They draw a sizeable crowd, with many people staying in the same venue most of the evening – with over 65 bands to see across seven venues it can get a bit wearing trying to pick and choose…
BM however heads back to Monty’s (passing a large queue for Dancing on Tables at the Fire Station) to see West Lothian’s finest, Gravelle. They certainly do not disappoint – the electronic duo playing tracks new and old, prompting some dancing among the older members of the crowd, as some of these tunes mixed the darker gothic vibes with some seriously funky beats…
Sunstinger give a noisy and at times brutal performance back at the Brasshouse, channelling some WWPJ vibes into some of the tracks. BM then heads for the Amorist where Black Wolf Trap are putting in some serious guitar riffage and pounding through tracks like ‘Attacking A Dragon’ and ‘Lie 2 U’. BM has not come across them before and will have to investigate further…
With the clock ticking down to last train back to Glasgow time BM is able to catch just the first few tunes of Silvi‘s set at the Amorist. With the full band in fine form they tear through several originals and their devastating Yeah Yeah Yeah’s (‘Heads Will Roll’) cover before BM has to leg it to the station.
Altogether a great day’s music and here’s hoping for the next one. There was far more across the day which was missed, especially Be Charlotte and Fatherson, but even BM can’t be in two places at once!
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