The latest gig on our A to Z Musical Tour was ……
Two local ‘institutions’ came together during Friday and Saturday to deliver The Glasgow Weekender, with musical luminaries Belle & Sebastian curating a collection of eclectic acts to perform with them at SWG3, one of the city’s most flexible venues for hosting such events.
And, if the music available on Friday night was on a par to that on Saturday, then Stuart Murdoch can be well pleased with all the efforts made in pulling these shows together.
The post here covers some thoughts on Belle & Sebastian, bis, CMAT, Callum Easter, The Vaselines, Monica Queen and The Cords. Another great day of eclectic music to listen to and enjoy.
As headliners, Belle & Sebastian have definitely won me over as a live act, with all nine band members on stage seamlessly exchanging instruments and lead and supporting roles when required, to deliver a set of toe-tapping songs that span their now extensive career.
Apart from the songwriting and musical arrangements, what was clear from a look around the audience was the wide age range of those watching and enjoying the spectacle, culminating in the now customary stage invasion by (mostly) young and not so young audience members for a dance-along and a few selfies to boot.
Stuart Murdoch is the ideal showman for these situations. He has the song writing ability, the musicianship and the on-stage presence to make everyone feel special. From audience members to sound crew, the rest of the band to the support acts. It wasn’t about him, it was about the collective, probably reflecting his own left of centre tendencies!
Greater Glasgow has been blessed with many fine bands over the years and Belle & Sebastian can rightfully sit at the top table with all their peers, in many ways distinct from some of the more commercially successful acts, however, their thoughtful take on pop music continues to draw a wide fan base home and away.
bis
Forming thirty years ago, bis are another band revisiting their earlier years with regular tour dates, a relatively recent new album of songs and a fan base made up of the young and the not so young.
What shines through though is the energy the three band members, Sci-Fi Steven, John Disco and Manda Rin bring to every song played.
At times they seem overwhelmed by the audience reaction, yet this should be of little surprise. Their set was genuinely electric.
During the 90s they could be found midtable in various UK and Scotland charts with their single releases. Songs to dance to. Songs to bounce to. Songs to enjoy.
During their set we danced, we bounced, and we definitely enjoyed the spectacle.
Their on-stage banter was nothing if not self-deprecating, ‘…you’ll probably like this next song, the one after that is a bit shite if you want to head to see Belle & Sebastian!’
Wrong. Both songs were great.
Until the next time. Tonight you were definitely the bis!
CMAT
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson or CMAT for short, wasn’t lacking in confidence or showmanship during her set and was ably supported by a tight band that was both musically adept and happy to engage in some of the happy go lucky slapstick that CMAT brings to her performance.
She is undoubtedly successful with a string of singles, albums and accompanying awards. In addition, she has an adoring fanbase who lapped up every song, every bit of banter from the stage.
Like any aspect of culture, it just goes to prove the old adage that music is in the ears of the beholder.
Callum Easter
On two previous visits to SWG3 in the recent past to see Sea Power and then Nadine Shah, Callum Easter was cast in the supporting role.
It’s a role he seems to relish and, if this session is anything to go by, he is improvising his set to great effect. On the day, this was definitely one of the unexpected highlights.
Callum doesn’t easily fit into any of the established genres of music. He combines the guitar, keyboards, microphones and squeeze box with an array of electronic wizardry that sounds unlike anything currently being played, certainly during the Glasgow Weekender.
There’s a gallusness about him and his percussion band member. They don’t have the one, two, three, four, let’s go on this beat interchange as songs commence. More like, hit that note, hit it faster, hit it louder, right let’s go with that then!
The songs themselves could be rehearsed; they could equally be improvised. However they come to the arrangement on the day, it’s a sound that is crystal clear and reminds us all of the diversity across the world of music.
The Vaselines
As you scroll through the lists of available gigs to attend in the coming weeks and months, it’s great to see the renaissance of many bands who formed the bedrock of nights out in their first stage of notoriety in the 80s and 90s.
The Vaselines fall into this category since their emergence in the late 80s. Their own story of resurgence is fairly well known. After releasing their debut album, they decided to call it a day. However, they had captured the imagination of one Kurt Cobain who went on to record three of their songs with Nirvana. Appreciation of their work spread.
Thankfully they reformed and this is the third time in less than a year I’ve seen them perform their timeless indie focussed pop songs.
The interplay between Frances and Eugene sets the tone for the set and once again they take many of the audience back in time to their earlier selves. There’s a mischievous adult slant on some of their songs which makes them feel even more homely. After all these years, they remain at the top of their game.
Monica Queen
There is no doubting the esteem Monica Queen has garnered over the years.
While fact checking for this post, Monica first came to prominence in the 1990s with Thrum and has worked extensively with many of Scotland’s leading acts including Belle & Sebastian and Love and Money to name two.
The indoor setting of the second stage in SWG3 was possibly in keeping with many of her and the band members earlier gigs. Low ceiling looking out to an almost full floor of people intent on enjoying the songs the band played.
A tight five-piece band they rattled off a mix of blues and country songs that reverberated across the room.
Some songs hit the mark more than others but no denying the professionalism that was on show during their 30-minute slot
The Cords
Two young sisters, Eva and Grace Tedeschi from Inverkip, seemingly engulfed in the vastness of the main stage didn’t have a care in the world as they confidently played during their allotted half hour. Drummer Grace, sitting slightly above, steady with her beat. Quiet, unassuming yet integral to the sound they are perfecting.
Vocalist and guitarist Evat is confident for one so young. Short indie pop songs litter the set, and each is met with genuine warm applause.
They have the ears of people respected in the industry so look out for more from them in the months and years ahead.
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