Glasvegas - Relentless Garage, London - 3rd April 2012 (Live Review)
Monday, 09 April 2012
Written by Ryan Crittenden
Since the release of their debut self-titled album in 2008, it is fair to say the Scottish band has certainly gone on one hell of a ride. So it was nice to see them return to the live scene and do what got them to where they are today at the Relentless Garage in Islington, London.
Early arrivals were treated to the acoustic talents of Es Muss Sein. The younger singer-songwriter from Kent was personally invited to open the show by Rab from Glasvegas who found her via her Facebook page and after the release of her debut EP has been picking up some rave reviews. Her short set relied mainly on her 3-track EP with ‘Wave Goodbye’ also played before EP tracks 'Sail', 'Seeping' and 'Those Eyes.' Her performance of the big stage was assured and after a nervy looking start, the young talent soon round her rhythm and the crowd were respectfully quiet in appreciation of her obvious raw talent. Es Muss Sein gave a very good account of herself on a stage that she is not used to, I predict big things for this girl in the near future.
The second support came in the form of Two Wounded Birds. Another band hailing from Kent who have been making some serious inroads into the indie scene over the last 12 months or so. With the release of their debut self-titled album announced for release in June, this show offered a good chance to hear some of these songs. The 25-minute set did feature mainly new material but there was room for old favourite ‘My Lonesome,’ which was performed excellently. Frontman Johnny Danger’s eerie vocals lay over the top of dark sounding twangy guitars and a simple yet effective hi-hat drum beat. The interaction with the growing crowd was minimal and this was not helped out by one of the crowd bellowing out “Pulp Fiction” at the quartet after one of their tracks. An unnecessary outburst that takes away the attention from the obvious ability that these guys possess. The band continued to go about their business and the new tracks were sounding good, full of the deep bass lines and drawn out guitar riffs that fans will be familiar with. Obvious progressions in sound will please the fans and with final familiar track ‘Together Forever’ upping the pace, the crowd finally appeared to be on side, albeit a little too late. A solid set, let down by a poor crowd Two Wounded Birds are a lot better than what people saw at The Relentless Garage.
The four-piece opened proceedings with songs from Mercury Award nominated debut album Glasvegas, as the thunderous tones of ‘Flowers and Football Tops’ filled the sold out venue. Complete with the 'You are my Sunshine' sing-along ending, this opening track dismissed any murmurings of rust with the crowd lapping up every moment. Without time to draw breath the ringing guitar riff that defines ‘Geraldine’ is already in full flow, the rendition of one of Glasvegas’ best known numbers is emphatically good. The crowd feel the energy as they help frontman James Allan sing about his now infamous social worker from start to finish. With a brief murmuring from Allan thanking the crowd for coming to see the band the quartet explode into ‘It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry.’ Although it appears that only the Scottish people in attendance can keep up with the majority of the track, every single fan in the crowd joins in with “Liar liar liar liar pants on fire” melody. The enthusiastic response appears to take Allan aback as he stands hands on head looking almost shocked that people still care, a lovely moment to witness.
The frantic and furious start was nothing short of brilliant but as chatty frontman James Allan once again addresses the crowd, he explains they are going to be playing a couple of new songs and he hopes they don’t bore everyone. Unfortunately for him and the crowd, that seemed to be the undesired effect as new songs ‘If’, ‘Please Come Back Home’ and ‘I’d Rather Be Dead Than Be With You’ didn’t excite the capacity crowd with. The opening drumbeat of ‘Dream, Dream, Dreaming’ restored a little life back into the crowd, as new(ish) drummer Jonna Löfgren continued to impress. The sunglasses wearing, leather jacket sporting Löfgren oozes an unrivalled rock ‘n’ roll swagger that is matched by an energetic performance that would impress the purist of drummers. The Swede has come in to replace Caroline McKay and although she adopts the standing up stance of McKay, Löfgren just gives it that little something extra. She literally beats the living daylights out of her poor drum kit all the way through the set, showing no signs of let-up with her swaying motion dominating the backdrop of the stage.
‘Polmont on My Mind’ picks the pace back up as guitarist Rab Allan continues to thrash away at his guitar in an almost animalistic way. His effort throughout is admirable as he produces some punching riffs at a relentless rate of knots. Despite this number, new song ‘When the TV Turns Static’ carries on the lull that shaped the mid-section of the gig. They have hardly touched any of their second LP, 'EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\' especially disappointing for this reviewer was the exclusion of tracks like ‘Shine Like Stars’ and in particular 'The World Is Yours.’ The latter being a great track that would have just lifted the middle of the set with the familiarity factor and pure vigour the song possesses. ‘Euphoria, Take My Hand’ is given an airing and does the job it is supposed to; it is a lovely slice of indie music full of swirling guitars that is a highlight from their distinctly average second album. The crowd get back involved with the gig, hands aloft around the venue as the passionate fans below the lyrics back at the appreciative band.
The band harks back to their debut album for the final two tracks of the set, kicking off with a dry and lost rendition of ‘Ice Cream Van.’ The song seemed to resonate reasonably well with the crowd but it just seemed to be missing something. The edge that defines the song was just missing even with the unmistakably dark Scottish accent that dominates Allan’s vocals booming around the Relentless Garage. Even though everyone knows, what was coming next the rapturous response that ‘Go Square Go’ receives still takes you aback. The final track of the set has been tried and tested since Glasvegas first started and it is still full of the same power and angst that it had when I first heard it live. Everyone in attendance knows the lyric that pretty much sums up the song and in an extended version of the song it was repeated aptly; if this was on live television the man who controls the beeps for expletives would be having a fit but the song would not have quite the same impact without that line! With that the band, who must be exhausted by this point, exit the stage to a huge cheer.
For the encore, it is just Allan who reappears and after some technical difficulties and a heartfelt thank you speech to all that had come out to see the band, the frontman plays ‘All I Want Is My Baby’ for the first time live. This semi-acoustic track is brilliant; it shows a completely different side to the band as Allan’s voice is showcased in its purest form. The song is emotional, powerful and beautiful. Every word has a deep meaning that shows Allan is such a vulnerable light. I do hope this track makes I past the live scene. This is followed by ‘I Feel Wrong’ and the emotive ‘Lots Sometimes’ both from their second album but it is the much-requested and much-loved final track that makes the encore. ‘Daddy’s Gone’ is everything you expect it to be and then some. A fantastic way to end the gig after an up and down performance that came good in the end.
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Early arrivals were treated to the acoustic talents of Es Muss Sein. The younger singer-songwriter from Kent was personally invited to open the show by Rab from Glasvegas who found her via her Facebook page and after the release of her debut EP has been picking up some rave reviews. Her short set relied mainly on her 3-track EP with ‘Wave Goodbye’ also played before EP tracks 'Sail', 'Seeping' and 'Those Eyes.' Her performance of the big stage was assured and after a nervy looking start, the young talent soon round her rhythm and the crowd were respectfully quiet in appreciation of her obvious raw talent. Es Muss Sein gave a very good account of herself on a stage that she is not used to, I predict big things for this girl in the near future.
