Another absolutely bangin’ four band bill to enjoy with even more reason to celebrate as gig day was my last day of work before two weeks annual leave… what better way to start a holiday than with some live music to help shake off the shackles of work and let loose.
As is my tradition, I arrived in plenty of time to grab a good vantage point for the first band. Having read various reports of unacceptable I m unacceptable toilet habits at gigs I should point out that despite finding a spot at the barrier, I still know where the toilets are…nuff said.
The only talk of shitting at this gig should be from Maz and the Phantasms with Pigeon Song, just one of the brilliant songs in their cracking set. As I type this I am reminded that my daughter visibly cringed the other day when I used the word cracking. So I called her bluff. She liked it even less when I suggested I use some “down with the kids” lingo like bussin’, lit or ate which sent her cringing even more deeply. I think I’ll stick to my auld bloke language…
Anyway back to more pressing matters and the Maz and the Phantasms set which was exactly what I would have hoped for from the band. They kicked off with their epic anthem infused with punk energy, the frenetically volatile Voices in My Head, with its many false endings and splendidly ebullient Mexican/Surf guitar break. The set was strewn with live favourites, which is one of the things I love about these multi band line ups with half hour sets, the bands bring out all their bangers, in this case songs like Es Lo Que Hay, and two of their set highlights the aforementioned boisterous sing-along Pigeon Song with the best of the bunch being one of my favourite Maz songs, the hard hitting Stooges meets Patti Smith Factory Hell. The bar was set high…
Bands two and three were new live experiences for me, only knowing them from exploring their single releases hanging seen them laid Ted as part of the line up. The underlying musical palette of both bands is that of funk, but they both have the own stylistic identify. Now that I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing their live shows, I won’t be a stranger to their sonic grooves any more.
The first of those funktastic bands was Dundee quintet Osmara, with resonant dual vocals from lead and rhythm guitarists Keir and Catriona giving the songs some smooth textures and tight harmonies, with Jospeh playing some mean keyboard riffs enriching the sound with an additional layer of ear-candy and Angus & Joshua creating a solid spine to their funk heartbeat. I loved the whole of their set with some calls outs being their cover of Crazy, the slow burn pulse of their single The Deep Red and my pick of the bunch, Daydream.
The funk continued into the third band on the bill, Needle Green opening their half hour set, which somehow they crammed at least 9 songs into, with some smooth jazz infused funk grooves, guitarist Reuben and bass player Paul with some nifty finger work on the frets. Megan is a natural front person, with plenty of little quips between songs… “you feelin’ good aye? Thank fuck for that” … “this songs about talkin shite” and drummer Miller kept me happy with plenty of cowbell…As they flew through their radiant set I picked up influences from a variety of genres, a wee bit of 60s mod, a bit of soul, some early 80s C86 indie and post punk angular guitar sound, guitar riffs Prince would applause and even a wee intro that channeled Doobie Brothers Long Train Runnin’ all melded together with that core funk sound to create their own sonorous fusion. I did start to take some notes during their set but clearly was too involved in the music and not focusing on my typing as they don’t make any sense, I don’t know if it’s fat thumbs or autocorrect but I’ve written something about bald chefs? Anyway, one thing is for sure I loved their set, with Sleep and their forthcoming single Since You Came Around were two of their many highlights. I’ll certainly keep an eye out for future gigs.
Just want to put it out there, I love Lemon Drink, I’m not sure how many times I’ve seen them but I’m sure it’s definitely into double figures now, no matter how many times it’s been, I was buzzing to see them once again. The last time was earlier this year in McChuills for the launch of their Patsy Kensit single, a joyous occasion and a memorable set, so my levels of expectation were high… and, of course they didn’t disappoint, playing a blinder of a set. I wouldn’t have expected anything less.
Their twelve song strong set was inspired, kicking off with the electrifying Uptight/Untied, with Sophie in her usual exuberant mood, and drawing from across their career back to their debut single and EP on 2019/20. The set included some special guest and surprises along the way…with early set highlights including two of my favourite Lemon Drink songs back to back, their darkly majestic 2021 single Demon Child was followed by one of their ubiquitous live favourite Sip Sip which took on an extra edge with the band welcoming Dale from the dynamically manic Grow Up to the stage to add his vocals and antics to the frenetically charged song. Later in proceedings came the moody and sultry, bass heavy slow burn of Pull Your House Down from their Better Run EP which saw the arrival of their second guest of the night in the form of fiddler Niamh who added an additional texture to the crushing climax of the song. She stayed onstage for the bands party piece of the night, a well received energetic cover of the Sabrina Carpenter single Manchild, this was swiftly followed by the “tribute” to an ex of Sophie’s mum – who was in attendance – their latest singlePatsy Kensit, which has been a live staple for a few years now. “Let’s call him Bob” joked Sophie as they launched into the brilliantly stylish single which bucks the verse chorus verse structure of most singles to great effect. The penultimate treat of the night was the absolutely nailed on commentary on the actions of sleazy men, the unapologetically bold as brass A Song For You, which asserts its point perfectly while still being a certified earworm of a tune.
Like all good things their set had to come to an end, and it did so in style leaving us in a state of joyful bliss with the positively uplifting delight that is Blossoming. A perfect end to a brilliant night of music.
We just need to get DF to start paying bands fairly now…
Special shoutout to the Mad Dog inspired t-shirt LD 20/20… brings back good (and bad!) memories of youthful exuberance and over indulgence…a belter!