The latest gig on our A to Z Musical Tour was ……
One of several ‘mini’ festivals to be a regular happening in Glasgow goes by the name of Stag & Dagger. While the title might seem a bit harsh, it has proved to be a great success over the years with many an up and coming band being able to showcase their latest music offerings across a few venues, in this case those in and around Sauchiehall Street.
The Garage, with 3 rooms to play in was the ideal setting for last night’s gig. While you had the chance to increase the step count for the day, between the Attic, G2 and the main stage, there was plenty on offer for any self respecting music lover.
First act watched last night was The KVB
Nicholas Wood and Kat Day, have been a favourite for a few years now with their reverb-soaked shoegaze a consistent delight, whether on their albums or playing live. Last night was no exception. While Wood takes the lead on both guitar and vocals throughout the set, Day is close by with the keyboard and electronic wizzardry, to offer an encompassing soundscape that easily fills the room.
Their most recent album Tremors is well worth a listen to as it demonstrates the mastery they have of the genre. That it translates so well to the live setting also benefitted the audience last night.
The band sit comfortably with comparisons to Wooden Shjips & Moon Duo, fronted by Ripley Johnson and will no doubt be returning to the city in the future as their reputation continues to grow.
Moving up stairs to the main stage, I was confronted by Benefits. Confronted in the sense of never having heard anything quite like this. I’ve obviously led a sheltered life!
This was an aural explosion of angst. They describe themselves as overwhelmingly brutal harsh noise-wielders. I can attest to that in spades.
Kingsley Hall is at the heart of this angst. In The Great Leap Forward by Billy Bragg, he sang ….. ‘If you’ve got a blacklist, I want to be on it’. Hall has taken this one further leap forward ‘ If you have an issue, I want to shout about it’. And boy can he shout.
There’s nothing subtle about their delivery. Steady pulsating drum beats fighting with the industrial noise background from the keyboards / synthesizers.
At first I thought I might be listening to a band in the same ilk as The Sleaford Mods but Benefits seem far more uncompromising and brutal.
There is a bit of hardcore punk. At times it seems like a modern take on a Shakespearean soliloquy. There was no doubt this was an angry man ranting. And yet ……
….. while the easy option was to take a couple of snapshots and head to one of the other rooms. I was captured by the intensity of the set. There was something keeping me in the room and I just can’t explain it.
Sometimes you come across an act and you wonder why everyone is going mad about them in the room. And you’re stood there wondering……. ‘Why haven’t I heard these guys before?’
Last night, Fat Dog, took centre stage with a swagger and, as befitting their name, their collective tails were wagging in the friendly environment they found themselves in.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Joe Love, has the persona of a man who commands the room. Like most acts though, one person can’t magic up the music and the band make a huge contribution to the entertainment. Keyboards, sax, bass, drums. All keeping the beat and all having a great time on stage.
The mosh pit was in full flow as the songs rang out and the feel good vibe on stage was being transmitted to the audience in ever increasing degrees of participation.
When you attend a gig, you want to enjoy it. Depending on the act, it may be an intense immersive experience that prolonged experience of the songs can only benefit from.
For Fat Dog, the emphasis of their live show is all about having huge amounts of fun. Love can be seen several times in the middle of the audience, making them crouch low to the ground before springing back up in time with the music. Nothing new here, though for an emerging band, it’s definitely a trait to bring more and more of the audience with you.
There might not be an awful lot of recorded output as yet from the band. However, if they can capture the live atmosphere they generate, then they’re definitely a band to be keeping an eye upon.
And, from the fun filled atmospheric dancing of Fat Dog to the more sombre stage setting where Snapped Ankles were performing. They came highly recommended during a visit to Some Great Reward, and it’s a recommendation that was very much welcomed by the end of the set.
Once you get over the darkened stage and the four band members wearing masks, it’s the music that draws you into what is happening.
There’s a bit of the Kraut rock / psychedelic scene that emerges from the band. The strange mix of instrumentation makes for an interesting listen and the songs played definitely captivated the audience. They have been around for a few years now and the experience of touring and recording over that time has welded them into a tight unit.
They may look a weird collective, however, the dance beat rhythms that played out last night were just what the audience were hoping for and got.
Finally, ahead of the journey home, a wander up to the Garage’s Attic room found a session just beginning with Dictator. Sometimes you get lucky popping in to see if the act is any good. Last night my luck was in.
Hailing from Livingston, this feel good band of hip hop and dance tunes was just the tonic before the evening finished.
In between the music there’s a lot of Scottish banter between lead singer and audience which keeps everyone interested. Even some audience interaction when, before the track ‘Rubik’s Cube’ is played, there is a call out to anyone “who can complete the cube before we finish the song” contest, with prizes promised afterwards. The challenge is taken up and ultimately failed, but 2 inflatable balloons were handed out just for the enjoyment of watching the attempt.
The band released The Rubik’s Cube album in 2022, and as the wee red devil on my shoulder won the battle to buy it from the merch stand, the band are looking to change direction in the months that follow.
I’ll be looking out for further evening’s listening to this band. No pretentions from any of them. Solid instrument playing and probably the most charismatic of lead singers on the night.
And so Dictator leave us to help them sing Sha la la Sha la……
It checks the indie pop box. It’s hardly innovative or though provoking. It won’t keep you awake at night.
Live music is supposed to be enjoyable. Thanks Fin, you (fin)ished off a great night out.
In summary
Mini Festivals like this are the lifeblood for many acts and venues. Ticket prices are reasonable and, in the case of Stag & Dagger, everywhere is within easy walking distance.
The acts themselves can be very diverse. Of the acts above there was everything from Shoegaze to Psychedelic Rock, Indie Dance to Post Punk Angst. And a few other genres in between which bands like Lucia and The Best Boys, Fever and Hamish Hawk were able to provide at The Garage alone.
Early Bird tickets will no doubt be available in the coming months and the wallet will be ready to take advantage in the full knowledge that a good night of eclectic music will be had by all.
All comments welcome so that we can improve what we are publishing!