George Glen

I’ve loved Steely Dan since I got their their ‘Katy Lied’ album in 1975! I was so lucky to see the real band with Donald Fagan and Walter Becker back in 2009. RIP Walter. But Nearly Dan have been doing their tribute show for 27 years! I don’t know how I’ve missed them until now but finally did thanks to Ali.

And I really enjoyed their 2 sets including many of my favourite songs. Very well played and faithfully reproduced, delivered by top quality musicians. For me missing just a wee bit of emotional engagement but that’s nit-picking … very well done. A great fun night out with Mags & Ali. xx

Attended by George, Mags & Ali.

I try to never miss one of my favourite bands when they come to Scotland so Glasgow it was in the lovely St Luke’s. Turns out this tour was a bit unusual, showcasing all of the songs from their many and early EPs which they have recently re-released. A great trip down memory lane with lots of songs not heard live for a while that I still love! Followed of course by a selection of ‘greatest hits’.

I got right to the front as usual to bounce and sing/speak along with Florence in what was a pretty relaxed and light atmosphere. Flo and the band clearly enjoing themselves as much as the adoring audience. Highlight for me was to get to chat basses and bass playing with Lewis afterwards. Nice guy, I learned of his vintage 1971 Precision bass and his use of Ernie Ball roundwound strings. There you go!

Attended by George

XTC just about tops the list of my all time favourite bands. I got to see them live only once in 1981 shortly before they stopped live performances … for ever! I was also lucky enough to be at a part reforming as TC&I in 2019 in Swindon. And also attended the first public show in Swindon just before lockdown in 2020 of EXTC, basically original XTC drummer Terry Chambers … and friends!

Having one original member does slightly elevate the band above a mere tribute, but the band has morphed from a 5 piece set up to 3 piece only so I was more than a bit apprehensive about how they would handle XTC songs that had many complex arrangements. I needn’t have worried and I was super impressed (like the rest of a packed enthusiastic crowd) that Steve Hampton on guitar and vocals and Terry Lines on Bass and vocals pulled it off extremely well. The songs are just so great and all us XTC geeks were carried along through two sets on a feel good wave of nostalgia and singing along. Surprised and delighted at how good they were and must make sure to catch them whenever they hopefully come our way again.

Attended by George

A bit of a speculative purchase of tickets for me and Karen. I didn’t know much about The Wandering Hearts other than they were highly recommended by friends, but I liked the few videos I had seen. I do love that kind of Americana with female vocal harmonies and modern arrangements, a bit like First Aid Kit, and The Wandering Hearts seems to be the UKs best version of all that. And very good they were too.

I actually prefer how they sound with a stripped back set-up of just 3 vocals of Chess, Tara and AJ with just an acoustic guitar to maximise the emotional impact of their stunning harmonies. For this tour though they added bass, electric guitar and drum accompaniment which were of course very good, but a bit overpowering at times for my taste. I didn’t know many of the songs but enjoyed them all. I just think the big loud sound production overshadowed the vocals and the lyrics were not so clear. Very good though overall.

Attended by George & Karen

Buzzard x3 caught my ear a while ago and when this popped up on my radar at short notice I thought I’d take a chance, and I’m glad I did! An intimate show at the smaller Voodoo Rooms Speakeasy and an enthusiastic audience, and me, were right entertained by some inventive and passionate indie rock from the Welsh quartet. Frontman Tom Rees is a blur of non stop movement and banter … some man!

Attended by George

I’m so lucky to play with Hanley & The Baird band and get to play some amazing shows in support of the Sing In The City choirs. Especially 2 shows in one day at the wonderful Usher Hall. I will never get over the joy (and terror) of performing on such a big stage with audiences of thousands. Love it!

All went really well with perfectly managed logistics organising over 300 singers in each show. I was exhausted but happy by the end! Thanks to all involved in putting on such a special day … Kirsty and Annette masterminding the whole thing, band mates Kenny and Peter, and all helpers especially Elaine. Cheers all! Gxx

I saw these guys play an amazing set at Summerhall in 2017 when they were called ‘Girl Band’. Really enjoyed that one and their music is still as described back then … ‘avant-garde noise turbulence’! The Caves though has areas where sound might not be that great, and stuck under the arch … that was me, and I didn’t really connect with some of their new ‘songs’. Still pretty unique and impressive but missed the mark a little for me this time.

Attended by George & Douglas

With a name spelled MØAA you might think Scandinavian? But no, leader Jancy Rae Buffington is from Seattle, and she told me there is no odd pronunciation of MØAA, it’s just like moa! I digress, from a banging performance at a packed and appreciative Sneaky Pete’s.

3 acts starting with the first time I ever saw a Clarsach (Scottish Harp) played at Sneaky’s! DARA DUBH have a unique sound I’ll investigate more, having tried to learn the Clarsach (a bit) myself. Hayley Beavis introduced her new duo ‘Both Hands’ with her also unique style of performance.

Headliners MØAA deliver a big ‘wall of sound’ in a series of songs that have been called ‘gothy’, ‘shoegaze’, ‘dream-pop’ … and all are fair references. Impressive, tight and very loud! No songs really stood out for me though, as the style was pretty consistent from song to song if not plain samey. Enjoyed though.

Attended by George

A sold out Sneaky Pete’s was a buzz of anticipation for this show and Edinburgh’s own Midnight Abulance did not let us down. Amelia & Fraser don’t do ordinary … melodies that don’t go where you expect, piled up with left field harmonies, inventive layered guitar parts, drums to match. Yes the 2 artists heavily rely on backing tracks, but all felt appropriate, natural and not contrived. Impressed I was. Bought the t-shirt! Don’t miss them.

Attended by George & Andy

Can’t believe it’s over 6 years since I first saw Skating Polly at Broadcast in Glagow. This was their first time in Edinburgh since then. I think they enjoyed being in the city as much as I, and an enthusistic Mash House crowd enjoyed their set!

Attended by George