What better way to celebrate the end of Pride weekend than to spend it on the company of the increasingly brilliant Sacred Noise. The band, who have been plying their wares across the Glasgow music scene, played their debut gig in March 2022, since then going from strength to strength, their sound and performance getting better each and every time I see them.
Before Sacred Noise, we were treated to a trio of eclectic bands kicking off with Abstract Dancer whose electro/synth based sound was bolstered by some glorious bass riffing. Unfortunately I was running late and only caught the end of the set, but they piqued my interest enough for me to investigate further.
Probably the biggest revelation for me amongst the support bands was Moonsoup, the band moniker for Niamh Baker. Niamh’s songs range from understated and folky (Fleetwood Mac/Magic Numbers) to full on driving rockers, always topped off with Niamh’s outstandingly affecting vocal and thoughtful lyrics, inducing a singalong in the venue. Why have I missed this band up to now?
ManyWild have been on my “radar” for sometime now, but this was the first time I’ve managed to catch them live. Their punk/grunge sound took me back to the likes of Hole/Auf Der Mar/Veruca Salt, with a bit of a Glasgow slant. Their infectious dual guitar assault backed with a thunderous rhythm section causing a reaction in my feet and inducing me to dance.
Then it was time for headliners, Sacred Noise individually arriving on stage in dramatic manner to the strikingly powerful soundtrack of Skin on video behind them, Anna’s delivery of the lyrics on this very personal of intros really hitting a nerve and driving the point home. A message repeated later in their set on the superb Second Skin.
The band’s sound gets better each and every time I hear them. Raw and powerful riffs from Anna, a rhythm section in Sam and Robbie so in tune with each other it’s scary and an emotionally powerful vocal and physical performance from Kirstin that come together to create their tantalisingly electrifying show, combined this time with visuals on the big screen.
The first time I saw the band, they played a couple of covers including The Cranberries Zombie which they “resurrected” tonight along with another surprise cover, which was perhaps revealed ahead of time as Kirstin, as is her want, in her enthusiasm went off script… when it did come, In the Air Tonight was dealt with in Sacred Noise own inimitable style.
The rest of the set was made up of their own material, which I’ve grown to lover and cherish, having specific favourites. Well they all are really, and all delivered in boisterous mode, but taking things down to the minimum at relevant points, including the delicately delivered new single Silhouette. Their set included last single the frenetic and questioning relationship song Radar with Kirstin’s demanding enquiry “when did I drop off your radar”. Incidentally, the first song I ever saw them perform as the opener at their debut gig in Bloc+.
The set included their debut single, Part of Me as the initial set closer, with Taste in Men and its bloodthirsty video also starring. Every time I see the band I have a spine tingling moment when they play Baby Doll, the perfect execution of the song embodying the spirit of the band and the exquisite performance art of Kirstin.
Baby Doll is usually my highlight of any set by Sacred Noise, this time though it was overshadowed by the final song of the night, Home. A song which has always impressed me, seemingly taking its lead from Jane’s Addiction, tonight utterly blew me away. The power and daunting energy that came from Anna’s searing guitar riffs, the thunderous drums from Robbie and pounding pulsating bass from Sam combined with Kirstin’s rich bombastic vocal made it utterly epic a thoroughly deserving and memorable set closer.
A great evening with all the signs pointing towards things only continuing to go onwards and upwards for Sacred Noise and a also providing me with a few new bands to investigate further…