George Glen

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Can’t beat a bit of Bowie (well Karen and Jan drag me along) and the best option available is TSDBTB after all, and for all the times we have seen them, this was a good one. ‘Love on Ya!’

7/11 Attended by George, Karen and Jan

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3 piece band mania at Sneaky Pete’s with Heaters following hot on the heels of Sunflower Bean the night before. Well I’m a sucker for a 3 piece, and liked what I had heard, so I just had to go too !

From Grand Rapids, Michigan, they list their genre as ‘psychotropic buttermilk’ and I can go with that. Tremelo drenched guitar lends a retro edge to their psycho trippy sound, but when they get going they turn into real riff monsters (see video). Good stuff but they can go on a bit. Still like though!

7/11 – Attended by George

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Sunflower Bean from New York have been creating a growing buzz on both sides of the atlantic and it was a great opportunity to see them up close on their first UK tour in such an intimate setting.  Nick and Julie also have the advantage of looking super cool to go with their reputation of ‘making indie cool again’!

Lots of cool trippy songs and a few more thrashy ones made for an impressive set which went down great with a packed in crowd. They are obviously still learning so we will forgive them their excess use of false endings and look for some even stronger material in future. Cool Beans!  (geddit?)

7.5/11 Attended by George & Andy A

http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/nme-ones-to-watch-2016-sunflower-bean

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/sunflower-bean/2016/la-peniche-lille-france-43f3730f.html

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Bob Mould has had a long music career, initially in Hüsker Dü then Sugar and a long time solo … too good a chance to catch him with a new album coming out and a good band (I do love a power trio!). He hasn’t lost any energy, prowling about the stage in familiar style, reeling off short, sharp, mini anthems. A non-stop barrage of songs … I estimate 23 in 1hr 20mins based on the set list below.

I didn’t really know much of the material apart from a few Hüsker Dü and Sugar songs and though I do like ferocious … I’d have liked a bit more variety and change of pace. Still, great to hear my favourite ‘Hoover Dam’ and great to catch a legend while we can.

7/11 Attended by George, Andy and Neil.

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bob-mould/2016/rescue-rooms-nottingham-england-1bf32970.html

Comedian Brian Limond continues to go from strength to strength. Successful internet presence, TV series, ‘Daft Wee Stories’ book and now stage show … He’s becoming a Scottish icon and he has enough fans now to fill 4 nights at the Armadillo. Proud of him!

And brilliantly funny the show was too. Mainly a reprise of the favourite sketches and characters from the TV shows, with a twist, and some new material for the same cast and characters. Unashamedly Glasgow, with all the swearing and attitude you’d expect and demand! But he’s a clever guy and made a great job of using the big theatre setting to add even more laughs than the TV sketches. Very impressed with use of the use of the stage, the auditorium and audience participation to keep us all in stitches.

So many favourites, but highlights included, ‘She’s turnt the weans against us’, Falconhoof, Jacqueline McCafferty and audience Tina Turner dancing competition for the ‘Simply the Best’ trophy. As the AR man said to Limmy about ‘Wrong Way Down a One Way Street’ … ‘Star!’

8/11 Attended by George, Karen & Mhairi

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Having really enjoyed Futuristic Retro Champions a few years ago I had high hopes for Teen Canteen, formed by Carla and Sita from FRCs. Seems they are getting more interest and success now which is great, but their new music doesn’t do as much for me. They are definitely having fun and have a growing profile, so good luck to them.

6/11 Attended by George.

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A very sad celebration of the life of David Bowie at this special event organised by the Ghillie Dhu. A full house of die hard Bowie fans enjoyed cocktails, a lovely buffet and even face painting, before dancing their socks off to two rocking sets from TSDBTB.

They did a great job and we didn’t miss ‘not Mick Ronson’ too much, but the playing was incedental to the occasion, that led to many tears as well as big singing along. Thanks to all for setting up and delivering a special and very memorable occasion.

RIP the irreplaceable David Bowie. Love on ya!

7/11 – Attended by George, Karen and Jan

Gigs

Best : Sufjan Stevens – The Playhouse, Edinburgh – 30 August 2015

A good year for great gigs but no obvious stand-out. I scored 6 acts at 9/11 with no 10s this year. So hard to choose, Kagoule really made it difficult, but the accolade has to go to Sufjan Stevens. Wasn’t expecting to be so enchanted and moved. Well done sir, well done indeed !

Close to best :
Kagoule – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – 9 Dec 2015
Ane Brun – Oran Mor, Glasgow – 6 Dec 2015
FFS – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh – 24 August 2015
Happyness –Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – 8 May 2015
First Aid Kit –The Usher Hall, Edinburgh – 19 Jan 2015

Albums

Best : ‘Urth’ – Kagoule

Recommended:

2015 Favourite Artists & Discoveries

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I thought I might like Kagoule but was delighted to discover they are completely awesome. Kagoule are a young band from Nottingham: Cai – guitar and vocals;  Lucy – bass and vocals; Lawrence – Drums. Maybe my top find of 2015!

What can I say to describe their music? Inventive, quirky, melodic and HEAVY! A modern take on the old ‘loud, quiet, loud’ style but that is right up my street anyway! A very impressive combination of power and delicacy, and at the end of a two month long world tour they were tight as a gnat’s chuff. Visual presence too, moving right into it just like the busy and appreciative crowd. The band say they like Sneaky Pete’s too, quite right!

I bought their ‘Urth’ CD from Lucy after the show and I’ve been playing it non stop since. Every song a winner. Top album of 2015. I hope to see them up this way again very soon.

9/11 Attended by George

http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/kagoule-sneaky-petes-9-dec

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This was the 8th time I’ve seen the fantastic Ane Brun and it’s been a joy seeing her music and career develop over those 6 years.

Her latest album ‘When I’m Free’ is growing on me but is not as strong as her other work for me. Half the set was from that album and maybe that’s why this show didn’t hit quite so many heights as in that best of the year show she played here just 2 years ago.

Still a great set as always, she’s a distinctive and beautiful singer and performer, backed up by her superb band and impressive vocal additions from support Maryam The Believer. Very nice and makes me very happy!

9/11 Attended by George & Karen