It’s that time of year again, the annual celebration of all things vinyl. I have been to Europa before for Record Store Day but not for some time. Over the last few years we’ve ended up at Mono or Big Blue but this year I thought Europa had the most interesting lineup.
It was a nice little cross section of what’s happening musically in Stirling. With some guests too.
Last time I was here there was a stage in front of the shop and a second stage in the space at the back behind the vinyl section.
It meant you had to walk back and forth through the shop to see each band.
The second stage from last time is now part of the Unorthodox Roasters coffee shop next door. They very kindly took part and allowed that space to be used. Which created a constant stream of people walking into and out of the shop. On Friar St there were two stages this time. A larger one at the Baker St end and a smaller one on the raised garden outside Europa.
It made it more like a mini music festival and it involved a lot more of the shops on Friar St. The pubs at the top had their tables out. The tattoo place had a face painting stall, the kilt shops and the emporium all had something going on too on a day which, live music-wise, started off with Rick Redbeard.
He was off to play elsewhere afterwards so his set was both early and short.
Unfortunately it was so early that we missed most of it. I did catch a few songs including a Phantom Band number from ‘Checkmate Savage’.
It was interesting that he referred to them in the past tense before correcting himself. Does that mean we won’t see that band again?
Next up was Tom Houston – who I think is from Tillicoultry. He played all original songs. Fun little slices of life and some alternative folk songs. Tom is one of the few on this bill that I did not know before going and I’m interested to hear some more.
Screaming from behind the buildings signalled that the next band were on. Thrown Away. With members from Edinburgh and Stirling and our pal Hamish up front.
They played what was possibly my highlight of the day. A song called ‘Streets of Stirling’.
Described by them as their ‘Oi’ song it had a chorus with lyrics that went along the lines of “AAAAAAH! Agro Agro, Streets of Stirling, Where’s the Police? AAAAAAHHH!!”
That song is a 100% accurate description of what it’s like to spend an extended amount of time in that part of town. Especially at weekends. I loved it.
Following them on the larger Friar St stage was Box O’Bananas. Stevie & Jock play gigs around here often. By this point there was a decent crowd and they did a very good job of getting the crowd involved and keeping them interested.
Last time I saw Jock was as a surprise guest of The Stranglers (Jock the Box!) at the Usher Hall so it was fitting that they started off with a version of ‘Golden Brown’. Later they did a very good cover of Gogol Bordello’s ’Start Wearing Purple’ which got half the staff of Europa dancing and some good audience participation.
The Media Whores from Falkirk have played several of these events over the years. With politically minded lyrics they offer great punk/post punk tunes and aesthetics. It’s all three minutes and the truth.
The Baird & Winton Jazz Duo offered a nice change of pace. A sort of musical palate cleanser if you will. The tunes were all instrumental with a pair of acoustic guitars playing some melodic gypsy jazz feeling numbers. (I think they host regular jazz nights in the town).
I was really glad to see the next two performances. Firstly Andrew Wyper, and then Sons of Regret (Alan Whitfield). Both could lazily be described as singer-songwriters but they’re quite different.
I used to see them both all the time and it’s nice to see pals grow and develop their songwriting. Both have digital releases to check out for RSD24.
Paul and Jon of The Voodoo Hounds have hosted music things in Stirling for years. And they still do.
This new band plays kind of funky rock and had more original songs with a few chive covers to keep the audience listening. By this point in the day the crowd was pretty big.
I always wonder if someone should go round with a hat for donations at moments like that.
The record shop gets a bounce in sales. The local shops may have too. This day was also sponsored by Slanj-A-Va the pub on the Upper Craigs. There was to be an after party and DJs there till late.
Constant Follower are probably the best known band performing on this bill. Apart from Rick Redbeard of course.
I really enjoyed their set even though it wasn’t the longest. With a four-piece band they gave us a taste of some of their atmospheric experimental folk tunes.
Mr dB from Paisley closed the day and played some up-tempo indie guitar anthems. Funnily enough I found them too loud to stand in front of to watch; choosing a place out of the firing line of the speakers to watch instead.
This year is the 50th year of Europa Music so there are a few things happening through the summer on the last weekend of June and something as yet unannounced on the 1st of November.
You can find all of the bands in the socials and Bandcamp and you should you wish to give them a look. Which of course you should.