Glass Cheques

With support from Ferguson

McChuills, 21 May

McChuills is what you would call an intimate venue, tucked to the side of the popular city centre bar. While the bar’s TVs were showing the Europa League Final, far more entertainment was being played out in the darkened room next door, with Ferguson opening up for headliners Glass Cheques.

There’s something unique about the approach Ferguson takes to playing live, with the stage lighting switched off and, apart from the strobe lighting that emits from the data projection behind him, all you see is a silhouette moving around the stage.

There’s a heavy reliance on a set of backing tracks playing as he adds an extra layer of live vocals to each song and in that, there is something for the audience to latch on to.

It’s an absorbing set and you’re left thinking who does this sound like? There’s definitely a bit of Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu about him and that’s no bad thing. Another act that goes onto the ‘Looking Forward To Seeing Again’ list.

And so, to headliners, Glass Cheques who have emerged from the ashes of The LaFontaines. Jamie Keenan and Darren McCaughey are thankfully continuing their musical journey with a brand of high-octane indie rock, pop infused songs that showcase both their musicianship and song writing skills.

They’ve also retained the ‘we’re really enjoying playing to you’ vibe and it’s obvious that while early days for the band, there’s something to look forward to in the months ahead as the new songs develop and are added to.

While the set is relatively short, Yazoo’s ‘Only You’ again a highlight, their closing song ‘Shame’, in a few minutes highlights all that’s going to be good for the band. Swirling guitars that wouldn’t go amiss in a set by Mogwai, vocals out of the Stereophonics songbook and a band tightness that bodes well for them.

The LaFontaines may have died a few months ago, however The Glass Cheques have taken up the baton, moved the musical dial in a new direction and we can only await the output to come along in the months ahead.

Definitely one of the highlight gigs of the year so far.