The Bathers

With support from Constant Follower

Glasgow University Debating Hall, 30 May

There is something quite classical about the Glasgow University Union’s Debates Chamber. Renovated to its original stature, the space conveys a sense of tradition, elegance and grandeur. 

Those words in bold conveying all that is beautiful about the music provided by The Bathers, with the help of The Sirenesque String Quartet to add that ‘classical’ touch.

Since 1990, Chris Thomson, with the support of a myriad of contemporary musicians has devoted his musical talents to producing some of the finest songs and arrangements recorded by any Scottish musician.

Despite critical plaudits from ‘the media’ and the enduring dedication of the band’s fanbase, ‘mainstream’ success has alluded them throughout their career. It’s a crime against music that they are not better known, yet another Scottish act that didn’t get the wider audience their music deserves.

The music has been described as chamber pop and, along with The Sirenesque String Quartet, the band played a set that favoured their latest album release Sirenesque while acknowledging their earlier albums with tracks from Sweet Deceit, the soon to be re-released on vinyl Pandemonia, Kelvingrove Baby, Summer Lightning, Lagoon Blues, Sunpowder and, to tumultuous cheers, songs from the Friends Again album Trapped And Unwrapped. A set built on over 30 years of recording and playing. A set designed to keep the audience entertained.

What makes a good song? The lyrics, the arrangements, the instrumentation, the ability of the musicians to play in sync? All these came together and a little bit more as those on stage reflected on all the music throughout the years that led them to this night.

While Chris Thomson sings with the gravel tones that enables him to sit alongside the other great Scottish vocalists Billy Mackenzie, Grahame Skinner and Paul Quinn, it’s Hazel Morrison’s soprano injections that are more often than not, the fans highlight of any song where she is contributing more than the steady beat on the drums to.

Is there anyone in music who laughs as much as Hazel does much during the set? Who is genuinely appreciative of the audience and fellow band members applause received during the many cameos she has this night?

While Sirenesque was twenty plus years in the making, the songwriting never diminished in that time, never wavered due to the ever-changing musical directions that abounded during that period. The songs follow in the ‘tradition’ of the earlier albums, each song delivering its own piece of unadulterated ‘elegance’.

On the night, the inclusion of the string quartet provided the audience with the aural setting perceived in the songwriting. Allied to the guitar and bass playing of both Callum McNair and Nico Bruce respectively, this was a Bathers performance that matched the ‘grandeur’ of the setting.

The night began with Sundown & Longing and, while the sun was truly set by the time we exited the Debating Hall, there was a palpable longing for songs to be played well into the night.

Thank you Chris, Hazel, Callum, Nico and the string quartet. A divine night of music to set us all up for the rest of the weekend.

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Support Act – Constant Follower

Constant Follower is another band that remain on the edges of the Scottish Music scene, despite two nominations for the Scottish Album of the Year Awards.

Scottish songwriter Stephen McAll has not been short of personal challenges in the past to write, record and play live and playing ahead of The Bathers is testimony to the success he has had in overcoming these.

With the music reflecting the windswept coastal places that give life to his songs, there is something beguiling about the folk based music that drifts around the Debating Chamber.

The band are never demonstrative during the set, yet each member adds a vital component, from slide guitar through to backing harmonies, that has the audience enthralled. Sometimes keeping it simple is best and Constant Follower have perfected simplicity.