Òran Mór, 30 January 2025
It’s Celtic Connections, a festival that brings an eclectic mix of musicians to Glasgow each year and, on this evening, we headed to the West end to watch and listen to musical acts that have spanned the last 30 years and more of the Scottish indie scene.
The C81-C86-Go! gig at Òran Mór was more than a ‘Connection’ though, it was a collective of people coming to celebrate the passing of the Creeping Bent label, though many in the audience, and possibly onstage too, would welcome a reprieve.
Douglas Macintyre has been the driving force of this enterprise over the years, ably supported by wife Katy Lironi. What both bring is a resume across the Scottish indie music scene which is the envy of many.
As an event there were no headliners, no support acts. Each act on show played relatively short sets ably compèred by Nicola Meighan.
Port Sulphur kicked the evening off with Douglas and daughter Amelia to the fore. From the driving beat of Kone Trips through to Fast Boys & Factory Girls, with a splendid rendition of Silver Machine thrown in for good measure, the band were on top form. Having seen then a few times now since we started the #AtoZMusicalTour, it appears they get better with every gig. Given the vast experience within their ranks, maybe that’s just a fan’s view of proceedings.
At the other end of the musical experience scale, The Cords, provided a glimpse into what the musical scene has to offer in 2025 and beyond. The Cords are Eva on guitar and Grace on drums, two teenage sisters from Inverkip, just down the coast from the venue. It’s as if they have taken music back to basics. Grace sets the beat behind Eva who has an angelic voice, even when speaking. Backed by simple guitar chords, without any need for guitar pedals or techie gizmos, the songs have a simplistic beauty to them.
They are touring heavily at present and are gaining the attention of many elder statesmen and women in the business as they approach the launch of their debut album.
On an evening when we witnessed the end of an influential Scottish music label, it’s hearting to witness that the baton of indie music is being successfully passed on to the younger generation.
In an interlude to the musical experience, Nicola was joined on stage for a quick Q&A with Dougalas, Katy and film director and writer Grant McPhee to discuss the legacy that the label and all the bands associated with the C81-C86 movement had on Scottish music. While for many, it may have been a revision of what they already knew, for some it proved the old adage that every day is a school day!!
And the school day wasn’t finished yet as Mackenzies took to the stage for the first time in 40 years. In a set that seemed over in the blink of an eye, the question had to be asked, where have they been? They were dynamic, musically gifted and, most of all, they were very entertaining.
They finished their set with ‘new’ single Blow By Blow. It was actually their ‘new’ single 40 years ago, immediately before they split, and was the first time played live by the band.
The roar of approval as they ended the song and picked up their instruments before leaving the stage, said so much about them as a lost treasure on the Scottish indie map.
And there was more to follow. James Kirk and Davy Henderson retain legendary status within the Scottish music scene. James as founding member of Orange Juice and Davy with The Fire Engines, Win, The Nectarine No. 9 and along with Douglas again, The Sexual Objects.
James and Davy each played a few songs each with Douglas, Katy and Amelia on stage backed by various players from earlier in addition to Ken McCluskey with a virtuoso performance on the mouth organ.
Before we knew it the night was over. In a few hours we had witnessed both the past and the future of Scottish indie music. It was a story well written, well related and provides an enduring legacy of popular culture.
As a fellow businessman, I can relate to the trials and tribulations of running something that is both close to my own heart and yet depends on others to support the work we do.
What seems evident is that Creeping Bent, and Douglas in particular, has had a hugely influential part to play in shaping and delivering music over these past few decades.
Not only has it established a broad fan base, it has generated so much goodwill across the music fraternity that everyone involved in the label in whatever shape or form that is or was, should take a bow.
It’s also been a family affair. And through Quad90, Amelia is helping to keep the family tradition going.
A family affair, Katy, Douglas, Amelia and Matilda
As a fan, I can only thank you all for making some of the best music over the past thirty years. And to think it all started with a couple of NME tapes.
All comments welcome so that we can improve what we are publishing!