The last gig of 2024 for me was a late addition to the gig calendar, at a hastily arranged (and quickly sold out) gig arranged by Fay and Martin. I did swither over it, what with getting over bruised ribs and a sprained ankle, the weather being miserable and the thought of getting home afterwards. However, the deal was sealed as the reason for the gig was to raise money for the children of Gaza/Palestine, which, if anyone follows my socials will know is a subject close to my heart. And of course the line-up featured some of the best acts Scotland has to offer…
I’ve said this before, but I think the future is in gigs with loads of bands playing short sets and a quick change over in between. I’ve been at many gigs over the years where I wished the headline band would end their 2 hour set as I wanted to go home…
None of that tonight though as I was absorbed in the music throughout, each band playing no more than half a dozen songs. The short stage times also meaning a necessity to hit the ground running with no margin for error or getting the crowd warmed up. I’m pleased to report that the whole night went like a dream, and despite the bands running from 7.30 until quarter past ten with minimal breaks in between, the night went by in a flash.
The line-up was a dream, a who’s who of some of the best live bands Scotland has to offer. And kudos to the DJs to for playing an epic set of punk/post punk classics before and between the bands.
Things were off to a flying start with one of the breakthrough successes of recent years in the form of the magnificent Scorpio Leisure, playing as their core quartet of Hettie, Coco, Rusty and Mungo, they opened with Driving, their song that first caught my imagination and proceeded to play a flawless set that I could quite conveivably have handpicked myself including the brilliant Parasite and a bombastic version of Rain. The band are playing in Leith Depot at the end of January.
Listening to and talking to a few folk around me between bands, there were a few there from the draw of The Rezillos and didn’t have much knowledge of some of the other bands. Judging by reactions around me, there were a few new fans for the bands on the bill they were less familiar with.
The next of which was the mighty Filthy Tongues, who were dressed customarily from head to toe in black and the the gothic majesty of the music played by the quartet was in full flow tonight, kicking off with the epic force of nature that is one of my personal Filthy Tongues favourites Kingdom of Ice and finishing with an exemplary Jacob’s Ladder, with the magnificent Bowhead Saint and a blistering Gas Mask Blues sandwiched in between, the night was off to a ferocious start.
Kirsten Adamson took to the stage with the sartorially elegant Brian McFie, I say that as he and I seem to have coordinated wardrobes… and brought things down in pace slightly, but with no less passion for that. Her Americana UK nominated My Fathers Songs always hits you in the feels. Then there was the gut punch of her version of her father’s song, In a Big Country. Despite the heat in the venue I had shivers going up and down my spine, and yes I did wipe a tear from my eye.
Brian and Kirsten were joined onstage by The Countess herself for a bounteous sextuplet of tunes culled from her debut album Star of the Sea and new album to be, A Woman of Certain Wisdom, the first song played tonight. Like the acts before The Countess was on top form, clearly enjoying herself as much as those gathered in The Voodoo Rooms for the event… on Wandering Star and particularly during a bruising Second Fiddle. One of the highlights of the set for me was one of the new songs Where The River Meets the Sea which we were treated to, before they blasted through their brilliant encore of the energetic Cutie Doll.
Before The Rezillos took to the stage, the unique figure of Eugene Reynolds took to the stage to perform some new songs from his Green 13 project, with three infectious slices of dark electronica that sat somewhere between Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Nine Inch Nails..
The final act of the night was a Rezillos of sorts, with Fay and Eugene being joined by ex-Rezillos guitarist Nanobot Jim Brady on guitar with Willie Mollisom filling in on drums and a certain Martin Metcalfe standing in on bass and, I have to say killing it! This was a breathless breakneck speed set of Rezillos classics kicking off with Destination Venus and romping through Top of the Pops before Mystery Action was closely followed by a fervent I Can’t Stand My Baby and an immense Good Sculptures. Good times were had by all. But it wasn’t over just yet as the quintet launched into an effervescent blast through the classic River Deep Mountain High. And with that, the night was done.
And what a night it was…
Last words need to be for everyone that was involved in organising the night, the Voodoo Rooms for not charging for the venue, Morag on the door and organising tickets, Murray on merch, and the bands for donating all proceeds to UNICEF to support children in Gaza.
Free Palestine. Stop the Genocide.