George Glen

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I’ve seen Fat Goth many times now and it was great to hear some new songs, but it was disappointing to see so few people at the Electric Circus. Hope the band are not disheartened.

We were impressed by support band Britney and their frantic, anarchic noise. So much big sound and bass effects and shouty vocals in such short songs … must watch out for them!

Fat Goth played as well as ever but I can’t be sure about new songs because the sound wasn’t great, again … they just play too loud for their own good. Lucky I know the words and melodies to most of the songs.  A great band but a bit of a flat night.

7/11 Attended by George, Karen & Mhairi

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I love the noise of Lightning Bolt but never thought I’d get the chance to see them until our visit to Wimbledon luckily matched their appearance 2nd on a very odd 5 band bill at the Roundhouse in London. We were not impressed with first band on Mugstar and didn’t fancy staying for Loop or GZA, though Tortoise would have been cool … Lightning Bolt only then, and they did not dissappoint!

Brian Chippendale is the famous energetic (manic!) drummer with his mask microphone and effects allowing him to add wild cacophanous shout/singing. Brian Gibson adds his effects drenched bass and they make a combined glorious overall noise, random yet repetitive and hypnotic.

I was delighted to get right to the front, but once the serious moshing started a discreet withdrawal was appropriate. Not the ideal place for them on a huge stage in a big hall. Hopefully they will come to Scotland to their natural small sweaty club environment. Brilliant!

8/11 Attended by George & Karen

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New to me and suggested by Andy. Good YouTube first impressions were confirmed by a high energy set from the 4 boys from Cavan. Some Feelgoods style R&B, recent stuff more Artcic Monkeys, but very good in their own right. Recommended.

8/11 Attended by George, Karen, Jan, Andy

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I was blown away when I first saw Gemma from Ireland at Sneaky Pete’s. I have become a big fan, so was really looking forward to this. Her latest album ‘Bones and Longing’ had also time to get under my skin and enable me to sing along with all the songs … so I did!

A full backing band this time helped fill out arrangements in a really good set with many of my favourite songs. The only downer was the small audience, Gemma is so good but not promoted in any big way. Lovely to see her again, so many people missing out on such a brilliant singer/songwriter.

8.5/11 Attended by George, Karen, Jan, Andy, Jude

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I loved their earlier albums but had lost touch with new albums in recent years.No problem, plenty of older songs played interspersed with many from latest Album ‘Blammo’. So many classic songs from their big back catalogue had us all singing along. Great performance, really enjoyed it. Memorable also as the night before drummer Rick McMurray’s wedding (he lives in Edinburgh now, a man of good taste!).

There. A whole review of Ash without once mentioning my favourite former member Charlotte Hatherley. …. Doh!

7.5/11 Attended by George, Andy, Neil, Louis

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Amanda is pregnant! Yes, we get it, and the fact featured heavily in this unusual ‘Evening with Amanda’ show at the Queens Hall. I suppose there no avoiding it, but we still love her, even if she goes on …

I saw Amanda and her Grand Theft Orchestra at the HMV Picturehouse in 2013 but this was a very different, solo show combined with readings from her book ‘The Art of Asking’ that I’ve just started reading. When she delivers her songs it’s magic, especially a lovely cover of The Smiths ‘There is a Light That Never Goes Out’. Other anecdotes, readings and conversation with comedienne Janey Godley are more ‘meh’ for me and K, but entertaining.

7/11 Attended by George & Karen

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I’m awfully happy about Happyness! Spotted them on Sneaky Pete’s website and loved their live videos. Saw their set on the wonderful KEXP (see below) and was hooked!

Their live set in the close confines of Sneaky Pete’s did not disappoint either. I really like their quirky but laid back songs with cool lyrics and strong melodies.

Since then their album ‘Weird Little Birthday’ has grown on me big time … End of year favourite? … Contender!

9/11 Attended by George

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/10/happyness-sneaky-petes-edinburgh-review

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Renaissance was one of the first bands I ever got really into as a teenager. I saw them on The Old Grey Whistle Test and was instantly hooked on the grand prog/classical approach, Annie Haslam’s perfect soaring voice and particularly the melodic bass playing of Jon Camp. I immediately became a bass player! 

I eventually got to see them in Edinburgh in 1981 but they broke up soon after. 34 years later … I couldn’t miss the chance to catch up and their most Northern performance was St Helens … lovely place!

Annie is the only original member left but the band are really top notch especially band leader Rave Tesar on keys who has been with Annie for years. Once sound problems were conquered they delivered a great set of classics and 3 new songs. Sensitive arrangements, true to the originals, sounded fine and Annie’s voice is still as strong. Loved it!

8/11 Attended by George and Karen

http://getreadytorock.me.uk/blog/2015/04/gig-review-renaissance-the-citadel-st-helens-24-april-2015/

Setlist –
Prologue
Carpet of the Sun
Ocean Gypsy
Running Hard
Grandine il Venti
Symphony of Light
Northern Lights
The Mystic and the Muse
Mother Russia
Ashes are Burning