Category: Gig reviews

Water Machine – live in the Hug and Pint

November 9, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

After a brief break from gigging in their home city, touring south of the border and recording their hotly anticipated debut album, Water Machine returned to gigging at the Great Western at the weekend, so this gig supporting Snooper was their second Glasgow date in three days.

After a stressful day, a gig is always the perfect antidote. That is unless you come up against transport issues and your stress is multiplied… Unfit, out of shape and bedraggled, I walked into the venue just as the band were assembling to start their set. A joyful sight, especially as I had almost ditched any attempt at making it there on time.… Read the rest

The Bathers, The Cowboy Mouth & Sister John – live in the GUU Debating Chamber

October 28, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The second “grown ups” gig of the week, this time in the impressive surroundings of the GUU Debating Chamber, a first for me, and the third in a triumvirate of gigs featuring the classy trio of Sister John, The Cowboy Mouth and, celebrating the release of the astounding new album Sirenesque, The Bathers.

This time the turn of kicking off what was to be a very special night indeed was down to the multi-talented Sister John, who never fail to impress. Tonight was no different as they treated the gathered throng of music fans to their unique brand of laidback folky rock that takes in all the best bits of the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Velvet Underground, and everything in between, some 60s psychedelia, some tasty Neil Young riffs… As usual I was mesmerised throughout, the soothing effect of their music creating an overall feeling of well-being, especially on Over Again washing away the stresses of the working week. … Read the rest

Sarah Borges & Carol Hodge – Live in the Glad Cafe

October 28, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The first of two civilised “sit doon” gigs to end the week and the return of Hodge and Borges. And slightly different affair this time around, with Ms Hodge sans band, and Ms Borges joined by just Keith on bass/vocals. 

Not that it made a difference entertainment wise, Carol always puts on a show whether it is performing Penis Envy Crass songs, full band performances or solo. Tonight was no exception, with a performance including many of my favourite Hodge compositions – kicking off with Moan of a Thousand Years, and taking us through all her themes – worrying, death, anxiety… including the songs that could be the soundtrack to my own life  Stop Worrying Baby, Bear With Me, her cover of Offspring’s Smash and one of the top anti-Thatcher songs out there, The Witch is Dead.… Read the rest

Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds – Room 2

October 26, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

If you’re reading this expecting a detailed in depth review of Kid Congo Powers at Room 2, you should probably exit. This isn’t so much a review as the rambling thoughts of an aging music fan with social anxiety issues.

On the way to the gig I posted a throwaway comment on Facebook, (mis)quoting Bill Shankly, “Some people believe music is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

That statement, no matter how throwaway it seemed when I posted it, translated in a way I couldn’t have imagined as I headed into Room 2.… Read the rest

Young Fathers – Live in Glasgow Barrowland

October 24, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

For someone who still thinks the 80s was only a few years ago, the realisation that the last time I saw Young Fathers live in 2014 at the Last Great Weekend Festival was nine years ago came as a huge shock. It also started bringing back memories of standing In the excruciating bar queue after their set, with the one and only Keith Martin, debating the qualities of the band and whether they are better live or on record, as well as generally putting the world to rights. In the interim the band has gone on to great things, from winning the Mercury Music Prize that same year, and gaining plaudits left right and centre, right up to the nomination this year for their extraordinary latest album Heavy Heavy, pipped at the post by the Ezra Collective.… Read the rest

Parallels & Brenda – Live in Nice ‘n’ Sleazy

October 18, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

*All photographs courtesy of Christopher Hogge Photography*

Early week/Monday night gigs in the middle of the month in Glasgow are notoriously a bit of a risk, and so it may have initially seemed in Nice n Sleazy on the first weekday night of the school mid term autumn break, with a pretty sparse turn out scattered around the venue as support band Brenda’s stage time arrived. 

Is that something that bothered the fierce Glasgow trio? Absolutely not. Brenda give not one fuck, they are going to enjoy themselves whatever day of the week it is and regardless of who is there to witness it.… Read the rest

Tenement Trail 2023 – Walt Disco, Soapbox, Tina Sandwich, Bottle Rockets, Former Champ, Nani, Sister Madds, Big Girl’s Blouse, Junk Pups

October 13, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Saturday the 7th of October was a big day in the gig calendar. Events transpired against me heading to London to witness Duncan Reid and a host of Big Heads say a farewell to music in The Lexington. A night that it would appear will live long in the memory of those who attended if the thoughts of good friend Alex Main are anything to go by…

Meanwhile in Glasgow, as we dodged the deluges, it was the annual Tenement Trail in Glasgow’s East End across a plethora of venues… the world famous Barrowland, Barrowland 2, St Lukes, The Winged Ox, BAad, Van Winkle, 226 Gallowgate and final stopping point, the legendary McChuills.… Read the rest

The Kidney Flowers – Burn Your Furniture – album launch gig review

September 24, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

After the gig to celebrate the release of the or new record, I think we can safely say The Kidney Flowers new album is well and truly launched, along with a large percentage of the gathering in The Old Hairdressers who spent the night crowd surfing and gleefully body slamming into anyone who cared to reciprocate. 

This was a breathless night in many ways, the breakneck speed of 99% of the songs, with nary a chance to register what was happening between songs, and quick handovers between bands leaving no time to take a breath, but also the stifling heat in the venue, probably in no small part the temperature raised by the heaving mass of bodies, adding to the intoxicating and suffocatingly intense atmosphere. … Read the rest

KEELEY – Debut Glasgow Gig – Nice n Sleazy – Live Review

September 22, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

All Keeley photographs courtesy of Chris Hogge Photography

Wednesday 20th September in Glasgow was a special night for a select gathering of gig goers with clearly impeccable musical taste. What was special about this date? Well, it marked the debut Glasgow gig for a certain lyricist and guitarist extraordinaire Keeley Moss and her band Keeley. A date which, for many of us in attendance, has been a long time coming, after falling in love and feeling a strong affinity her music, songs, and their subject matter from day one, wishing for the day to come when we could finally witness these remarkable songs played live.… Read the rest

Escape-ism and Scorpio Leisure – live in Sneaky Petes

August 27, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

I have my cousin to thank for my trip through from Perth to Edinburgh for this gig, having introduced me to Ian Svenonius via the Nation From Ulysses album Plays Pretty for Baby , what now seems like aeons ago. To be fair, that’s only part of the reason for my trip to Festival City. I could have seen Escape-ism in my home city, however, the Sneaky Petes gig did have the added attraction of the mesmerising Scorpio Leisure as the opening act…for our audio pleasure. 

Scorpio Leisure

If you’re still not au fait with the incredible Scorpio Leisure, my question for you is, what the fuck are you waiting for?… Read the rest