Live review - The Ginger Quiff

Xan Tyler – Holding Up Half the Sky – album launch gig review, Panopticon, Glasgow.

May 5, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

All photos courtesy of Chris Hogge Photography

Holding Up Half the Sky is an extraordinary piece of work. An album of songs inspired by female empowerment, from Xan’s own experiences and those of inspirational women from history.

An extraordinary achievement needs to be launched in extraordinary surroundings. Where could be more unique and special than the world’s oldest surviving music hall, the place where a sixteen year old Stan Laurel first tread the boards.

This is an event that has been two years in the planning. I say event as it was much more than just a gig (a phenomenally special and emotional gig granted – not “just” a gig), this was Xan’s vision finally coming to fruition.… Read the rest

House Guest Festival 2024 – review

April 9, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

First things first, a huge congratulations must go to Scottish Music Collective and Crowded Flat for pulling off a superb inaugural House Guest event. Not only was the sold out day a huge success due to the phenomenal line up, bulging at the seams with a smorgasbord of new Scottish talent, the day ran like clockwork, the dream team in Sleazy’s (where, despite plans, I based myself all day) from bar staff to event management ensuring things ran like clockwork. I hope the success helps this event to go on to be a celebrated annual event much like its template events such as Tenement Trail. … Read the rest

Eater/Jo Jo & the Teeth – live in Broadcast

March 26, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

For the second weekend in a row it was a Sunday visit to Broadcast that was to bring the weekend to a celebratory conclusion. This was a night bristling with expectation after waiting for what seemed like a lifetime to witness the glory of Jo Jo and the Teeth live after being wowed by their debut album in 2022. Not only that but it was a double whammy as the band also transformed into Eater with the estimable Andy Blade to create a venerable punk rock riot.

Chemicalwhiteroom

The riot started early with the arrival of support act Chemicalwhiteroom to the Broadcast stage.… Read the rest

Death Valley Girls with Junk Pups and Tanzana – Broadcast

March 19, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

The last time I caught Death Valley Girls live was on a dreich and miserable Monday night in the self same venue, but with the stage where the bar is, and vice versa. Bonnie and the band were on top form back then with local duo Run Into the Night in tow. This time around they outshone themselves with a mind-bending stellar performance.

Before the headliners took to the stage though, they already had a lot to live up to after the performances from the two support bands for the evening.

First up it was the turn of fresh faced quintet Tanzana.… Read the rest

The Hedrons – Tired of Taking – album launch with f.o. machete

February 24, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

All photos courtesy of Chris Hogge Photography

They’re back. With a huge fuck off vengeance. Who’s that I hear you ask? Well, The fucking Hedrons of course… but, before they utterly owned the Room 2 stage, it was the return of another legendary band to return to the live arena. And what a fucking return it was.

The band with one of the best names in music, f.o. machete (in its original context, not the family friendly “fresh orange” on their current badges and stickers), tore through their set, laying waste to Room 2 and leaving a scene of joyful devastation, and gobsmacked punters, in their wake. … Read the rest

Swansea Sound. Water Machine and I Wanna Be a Truck Driver – Live in Mono

February 19, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

ALL Photos – courtesy of Stuart @blackmagicplastic • Instagram photos and videos

Nearly March already and not a dish done. I still haven’t managed to get to an album review this year, or published the January Singles Round Up, despite my thinking I would get a chance to play catch up. Life and work gets in the way…

I have however managed to get to another gig though… should have been more, but… see above! Anyway. This was another belter. There may be less gigs for me this year due to… see above (again)… and funds… however, the ones I’ve attended to date have been nothing short of inspirational, and this one was to prove no different.… Read the rest

The Filthy Tongues and Scorpio Leisure – Òran Mor, Glasgow

February 7, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

All photos courtesy of Chris Hogge Photography Chris Hogge (@chrishoggephotography) • Instagram photos and videos

What a start to the gig year this has been. Already having been entertained by some of the country’s best rising talents in January, my February gigs dawned with a double header from two bands featuring legends of the Scottish alt music scene. Fire Engines, Win, Boots for Dancing and Gin Goblins amongst the bands featuing members of Scorpio Leisure while headliners The Filthy Tongues of course featuring the well-kent inimitable trio of Metcalfe, Kelly and Fin of Goodbye Mr MacKenzie fame, now more than embedding themselves in the story of Scottish music with these songs revealing their even darker more foreboding side… because of course Goodbye Mr MacKenzie songs were all bunny rabbits and flowers weren’t they…?… Read the rest

King Tuts New Years Revolution – Tina Sandwich, Caseveti, Sister Madds & Lost Tickets

January 9, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

Having attended my last gig of 2022 in the same venue celebrating the music of the Clash at the annual Strummer night, two weeks later I was back in the same venue for one of King Tuts series of showcase gigs offering the opportunity to catch some of Scotland’s up and coming talent before they hit the big time.

First up on the Tuts stage it was young hard rock quartet, Lost Tickets, whipping up a storm with the partisan early comers especially when it came to their closing song, their single Mr Misdemeanour.

If Sister Madds aren’t headlining one of the shows at next year’s New Years Revolution I’d be both surprised and disappointed.… Read the rest

Gig of the Year

January 1, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

If you’re anything like me, nearly every gig you go to is the best gig, because it’s the most recent one, you’ve just lived in the moment, the rush of adrenaline is still there and you’re walking away still buzzing from immersing yourself in the glow left by the performance.

A massive genuine thank you to all the bands that put themselves out there and throw their all into their live performances, sometimes to a small gathering but still holding nothing back, bringing both tears and laughter, joy and melancholy, triggering a range emotions at each performance and leaving indelible marks on the audience.… Read the rest

Albums of the Year 2023

December 30, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Before I list my favourite “Albums of the Year 2023”, an apology.

I have been inundated this year with new music, new albums, requests for reviews and features. First, I’m happy that there is so much great music out there and that I’m party to being able to hear and share that new music, but secondly, a huge apology to many bands and artists whose music I’ve loved and planned to review/feature but it hasn’t happened. I’d love nothing more than to spend my life listening to and writing about music (and the book I keep meaning to finish), but that doesn’t pay the bills.… Read the rest