GIG REVIEW: Prides & Friends and Discopolis at King Tut's Summer Nights 30.07.2013

Nearing the end of King Tut's Summer Nights, it was time for something a bit different and, by booking a headline band who've only released one song so far, it was a big move. And it paid off massively.

With Plum having pulled out due to losing to her voice, the night was opened by Edinburgh's Discopolis, a four-piece electronic band. My description was pretty much 'disco rock', and it's toe-tapping, head-bopping goodness. Never having been one for electronic/synth bands, it seems like this foursome are going to be one of the few exceptions for me due to their ability to provide impressive soundscapes and tunes that are almost perfectly built for pre-partying before heading out with friends and alcohol. They play an accomplished live show, taking the crowd with them from the start and even manage to make jokes in-between songs including a beard warning for the headliners. A highlight for me is their remix of The Little Kicks' Loosen Up, giving a brilliant song a fresh new life. They end on a typically wild dance track having amply warmed up the filling crowd.

"We know you've taken a leap of faith", Prides note late in their set as they know they have only released one track online before playing this gig. But if their already hit single 'Out of the Blue' was the teaser then it's easy to see why the place was packed. Two members of Prides previously made up Midnight Lion but here they're actually starting to challenge the Chvrches model of beginning with very little content, other than a few things online, and building on word of mouth to achieve a strong fanbase before a full release is set. Like their predecessors, they are making it work. This band are not just another electronic three-piece, they have so many hooks in all their songs that they ought to come with a warning. In fact, I was surprised that the crowd was as still as it was during the majority of the set, regardless of whether we'd heard the tracks before or not because they were absolutely beasting. This show was also special because Prides brought with them Cairn String Quartet who provided strings on an auspicious opener and big hit 'Out of the Blue' to close, Louie of Hector Bizerk for 'Run and Jump' and they note that they were so pleased with how he performed that the track has been recorded and will be online very soon, and finally Ross and Mark of Fatherson to make a real sexy song even sexier. The band even trust the crowd enough to perform a quiet number in what is a complete change of pace, and it proves to be an incredible few minutes. However pockets of the crowd couldn't quite keep their mouths shut for this number and some of it was lost because of it, sometimes people need to learn there are bars for chatting and gigs for listening and watching. Having myself only heard 'Out of the Blue', I was incredibly happy to see that Prides are not just a one hit wonder and have an arsenal of superb tracks that everyone will hear in time. 

This show was an absolute blinder, and a very strong gig near the close of the Summer Nights programme. King Tut's once again prove that they are one of the best, if not the best, small venue in Glasgow.

GIG REVIEW: Fake Major, Campfires in Winter, Kevin Harper at King Tut's Summer Nights 29.07.2013

On a Monday night in Glasgow when the indie rock heroes of my teens (We Are Scientists) were also in town, I once again took a trip to King Tut's Wah Wah Hut for a dose of Summer Nights and the best in new music.

First up on the night was former Little Eskimos frontman, Kevin Harper. Harper presents a fresh take on the one man and his guitar with the addition of his laptop and some very strong vocals. Playing mostly songs from his solo album, with a few Little Eskimos tracks and one very interesting The Pixies cover, the setlist aptly shows his range and talent. Harper reminds me very much of Australia's Ben Lee, both in his vocals and his lyrics. His set is a fresh and change of pace from the Americana flooded acoustic field and he knows how to work a crowd despite not even being sure his set work. Harper is certainly someone to keep an eye on.

It was then time for Campfires in Winter to bring their Scottish rock masterclass to Tut's, and they do so with a large crowd in attendance. The band put on a very energetic show that flows from the crowd to the stage and back again, resulting in lots of noise and bouncing around on both sides. There's riffs aplenty, including from a new track never before been played live that goes down an absolute treat. Campfires are already an accomplished live outfit, going from strength to strength and shredding a lot of guitars in the process. The reception from the crowd proves that they are steadily gaining a loyal fanbase, and if the reaction to finale 'White Lights' is anything to go by then they are almost certainly going onto bigger and better things this year. The finale is loud, proud and a statement of true rock that leaves everyone in the room suitably impressed. The Campfires are one of the strongest bands on the circuit right now and deserve your attention.

Tonight's headline set comes smack bang right in the middle of the festival run for Fake Major and it represents their first full band headline where they actually had the opportunity to sound check, what a novelty. Typically then, there is a few technical issues before the set can begin but the band manage to silence the packed out Tut's with their opener of 'Cotton & Ink'. It's a joy to behold to watch a band render a crowd silent, especially on their first track of the night but that's the absolute power this band have already in their first year of existence. During the set, Richard Ferguson and David McGinty look to almost be performing as one solid unit as their mics as just the right distance apart to present the exact image of a four-armed singer-songwriter that the band describe themselves as. With years as Endor behind them and already a good block of shows as FM, this band are already accomplished live and have the sound for bigger rooms. EP tracks like 'Little Researcher' and 'Love in the Mundane' are very well received, and the band put on anything but a mundane live show joking with the crowd in-between tracks on all things from wanting to play the show for the one person who may not have heard them before (be it a guy, or a woman with a really deep voice), Jarv's colourblindness, and the fact they could easily teach midnight guest Pronto Mama their tunes as "it's only two chords". Many laughs are had by all. The new take on Endor song 'Chapel Doors' is at its best at this show and the crowd adores it, but the highlight of the night for me has to be the two as-yet unreleased Fake Major tracks including never before heard 'Seventeen' as the penultimate track. Both songs prove there is incredible life left yet in this band, they going to be going places, and I have no shame in saying they are absolutely my favourite band of the moment. The set ends on an incredible high with 'Fiction' and everyone is sorry to see them go, but it surely won't be long before they are gracing many more venues with their presence. 

After recovering from that great show I was able to stick around to see the midnight guests Pronto Mama, who brought their loud and proud indie rock show to Tut's bar and they did so with aplomb. It was a brilliant show that caught the attention of the majority in the bar and they've got a lot to get us excited about including by playing new tracks to tease us. 

All in all, this was a spectacular Monday evening with some of the best Scottish music. It was an easy decision in the end to choose this gig because I knew that it'd be one of the best shows of the year. My only disappointment of the night was that there was no Susie-sized t-shirts, but I'll get one in time.

Round-Up: My picks of what's going on

So I've been running a blog for nearly a week now. Figure it's time I try rounding up some things worth checking out from that first week, whilst I try to come up with some other things you might like on here.

You might find the following worthwhile:

King Tut's New Years Revolution will round up this week with performances from bands such as Black International, Haight Ashbury and Fatherson (not all in the same gig, there's plenty more too).

Kid Canaveral announced details of their forthcoming second LP, Now That You're a Dancer, due March 4th on Fence Records. Their Glasgow album launch at The Glad Café on Friday 1st March has sold out but they've added a second date, the following night, so get tickets to that!

Chvrches are doing their first UK tour, including a March 2nd stop at The Arches, and tickets went on sale today. You can get them via Ticketmaster.

If you have access to any of Frightened Rabbit's previous albums then you can access shiny bonus content from Pedestrian Verse here, including the chance to hear The Oil Slick and watch a making of the album video. Pedestrian Verse is released February 4th.

Randolph's Leap appeared on Marc Riley's BBC6 Music show and it's now available on iPlayer to listen again. They will also be performing instore at Avalanche Records on January 20th.

Bear Arms are headlining Nice'N'Sleazy's on February 9th. Support from The King Hats and True Acardian. Tickets only £5 here.

Avalanche Records are preparing a few special instores for the coming year, and to keep abreast of their announcements you should follow their Twitter.

-------

There's lots happening in Scottish music and that's just what caught my attention. I'm sure there's much more to come and I'll do my best to keep up with it. 2013 is off to a solid start and here's to it continuing strongly!