Camera Obscura at Kelvingrove Bandstand

Wednesday 5th June saw me race from a work meeting in Edinburgh back home to Uddingston to ditch the car, get changed, grab some dinner and hop a train to the Exhibition Centre. No, I wasn't going to see Lionel Ritchie like most of the other people in my carriage, I was heading into the stunning Kelvingrove Bandstand for a triple mini-festival style indie bill - Camera Obscura with support from The Vaselines and The Cords.

The Cords were the reason for my dash. They were scheduled to go on at 7pm, but thankfully they came on at 7.20pm, just after I had got in and secured a nice pint of IPA. £7 a pint! Ouch!

It's been so pleasing and heartwarming to see how more experienced bands have taken The Cords (Eva and Grace) under their wing, recognising their talent, potential and unbridled enthusiasm. Support slots in Glasgow and on tour have ensured that the young teenagers are road ready and experienced, while their debut album is recorded, mixed, mastered and ready to be unleashed later this year. I can't wait to hear it.

The Cords from up the back

Kelvingrove Bandstand was already reasonably full for them coming on. Eva's naturally melodic voice over raw guitar and beats has a wonderful charm to it. The melodies seem to come naturally and they will have won even more fans from the Bandstand and from their dates in London, Leeds and Liverpool supporting Camera Obscura. 

Next up were a 6-piece Vaselines band with Stevie Jackson from Belle & Sebastian guesting on 3rd guitar. What a glorious racket they created! The Vaselines absolutely blitzed through their set and while I missed the usual banter between Eugene and Frances, I was enthralled by the rocky sound of Dying For It (The Blues), one of my favourites, like a garage nuggets pop punk tribute to Motown.

I'd like to give a special mention to two songs that I think get better with every year and every listen. Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam is a three chord gem. Seemingly so simple, but so deep and moving. Eugene and Frances singing together is such a beautiful sound and the three guitars crashed and collided beautifully.

The Vaselines

And then we have Son Of A Gun, fuzzed up to be more like the Nirvana cover version thanks to the three electric guitars. Is this the best chorus by a Scottish band ever? It felt like it last night. Teenage love and poetry. Beautifully pure.

The sun shines in my bedroom, when you play

And the rain it always starts, when you go away

The verse is also like a chorus, super catchy, Eugene singing over a primal beat, building and leading to Frances singing the chorus. I hope The Vaselines get some more dates in the diary soon. I think I'll venture through to Dunfermline to see them in August.

On to the headliners. I was beginning to regret only wearing a t-shirt and light cagoule by the time Camera Obscura took to the stage! The skies had turned from blue to grey and there was a chill in the air. 

Traceyanne Campbell's voice could warm the coldest of days. I spoke with Lou (Mum of The Cords) about how beautifully she harmonises with Donna Maciocia on keyboards, while at others I marvel that it is just Tracyanne singing alone. Somehow it sounds like she is harmonising. What a voice!

Camera Obscura wisely played a couple of their 'hits' early on to get people down the front. Let's Get Out Of This Country and The Sweetest Thing sounded glorious, despite the grey skies overhead beginning to empty on top of the crowd.

Campbell did make a little joke about the £50 ticket price; 'you must be our rich fans', and it was a fair point. The Bandstand should have been sold out for a triumphant homecoming with excellent support. I have no doubt that it would have been if the tickets had been around the £35 mark. 

A couple of miles west, Lionel Ritchie would have been belting out Dancing On The Ceiling, while at Kelvingrove some die hards down the front were dancing in the rain, determined to not let the mini downpour dampen their spirits.

Bass player Gavin Dunbar had dressed for the occasion in a super sharp suit and white shoes, his riffs and grooves held everything together and allowed all kinds of flourishes over the top.

As the set and night progressed the rain eased and more people came down the front to dance, or they rose from their seats to let themselves loose. And no wonder. Who could stay seated to French Navy when the flowing chorus kicks in? 

I wanted to control it

But love I couldn't hold it 

Then we have Lloyd I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken, and was that still rain running down some peoples cheeks during Razzle Dazzle Rose? Or was it tears of emotion and joy? What a truly beautiful song that tugs on heartstrings in all the right ways. 

Camera Obscura formed in 1996, wouldn't it be nice if they returned to the Bandstand in glorious sunshine for their 30th anniversary next year?