George Glen

My third time seeing Dry Cleaning and one of my favourite bands just get better and better. I’ve not listened to new album ‘Stumpwork’ that much yet, but it’s growing on me and the wonderful ‘Gary Ashby’ might have been my top song of 2022!

And what a brilliant set with the best new songs and the best of my favourite bangers from the past. Their confidence and different personalities really shine now. Superb playing and contrasting bouncing about from Tom and Lewis v Florence statue like with telling facial expressions only. I was right at the front so got the whole experience. Cool support acts in Dehd and Thus Love too. Magic!

Attended by George, Andy & Stu

Young Fathers are a significant force in modern music and I’m really proud of the international impact of three guys from Edinburgh. But I have always manged to just miss going to see them, ’til now. And to be honest their music has never been quite my cup of tea though I had heard they were amazing live. I can confirm that’s absolutely correct!

This event was the album launch show for their new album ‘Heavy Heavy’ and though I enjoyed my sneak preview listens they didn’t major on those songs only and included plenty of past favourites. Much appreciated by me since I enjoyed hearing all their best songs.

Like the packed enthusiastic crowd I was well impressed by their performance. So intense and arresting, great singing and moving interplay between the three and supporting musician Callum Easter. They have serious messages and matching demeanours, no smiles were cracked, well only once! I smiled all the way through though. Superb, must catch them again soon.

Attended by George

What a great night, gig of the year contender already! Just an amazing bill of cool bands. A sold out crowd got there especially early to catch young Edinburgh band No Windows who were very good and a name to watch out for. We had no expectations about next act Hector Gannet, but as soon as they started everyone commented how they were blown away by the tremendous sound so we could clearly hear such interesting songs played brilliantly. A lovely surprise.

Pale Blue Eyes had a job to follow that, but succesfully took the good vibes even higher with a storming set everyone will long remember. For a primarily 3 piece band (with additional keys player), they have a varied and sophisticated sound combining cool playing and catchy hooks. Very impressed. Chatted to bass player Aubrey afterwards and am contemplating his recommendation of his great sounding 6 year old La Bella flatwound strings on his P bass .. a Jamerson fan like me. And Chris bought the T Shirt! Wonderful occasion with a happy crowd and many friends.

Attended by George, Chris, Andy & Jude

I know it’s a tribute act, but Andy and I had to go and see them play just about our favourite ever album, all 4 sides of ‘The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway’ by Genesis from 1975. I really enjoyed the whole experience. The Musical Box have been re-creating Genesis for nearly 30 years (not with the same line up) and have made a succesful career out of it. They licenced the ability to re-create the entire ‘Lamb ..’ tour including costumes and slide show and are supported and endorsed by Genesis members.

They play, sing and act the whole show perfectly … surely better that Genesis would nowadays! I sang along like a super fan, remembering (nearly) all the words. Although the obviously ‘mature’ audience seemed to enjoy the show, they sat like a load of statues with hardly a head nod … cmon guys this is great … get into it! And … disappointingly not very loud … it’s a rock show FFS! I need to feel as well as hear the music. Minor niggles aside, we were very impressed.

Attended by George & Andy

A quirky but interesting band are The Cool Greenhouse. A key element is the witty spoken poetry lyrics of front-man Tom Greenhouse. Unfortunately the sound wasn’t good enough to enable me to hear many of those nice words which I thought defeated much of the pupose and pissed me off!

I was much more entertained by the mad stylings and songs of support act Cod O’Donnell who I will definitely look out for more now. Cool small (very small) venue.

Attended by George & Andy

I’ve liked the ambitious songs and performances of The Joy Hotel since first seeing them at Great Eastern and also at Hidden Door festivals. My first time seeing them headline. Seems they are a bit polarising and ‘marmite’ though with my gig pals evenly split between like and dislike with no loves or even hates. I still think they are pretty good!

Attended by George

Driving Home for Christmas – thank you to Braw for inviting us through to perform at Room 2 tonight! Merry Christmas to you all from us all and we will see you in 2023

Our now traditional Christmas Bowie fest with the sensational John and the gang. 2 sets of all the best of Bowie, with a few ‘oddities’ as well. The best Bowie tribute band by far. Love on ya!

Attended by George & Karen