Named after the debut single by Teenage Fanclub.
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This blog is all about being a music lover in Glasgow; reviews, interviews, memories, old faves, new discoveries (past & present) and more. Thanks for visiting - I hope you discover something amazing you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite.
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Showing posts with label celtic connections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celtic connections. Show all posts
On Tuesday 30th January I drove into Maryhill in the west of Glasgow to see Andrew Wasylyk and Gerard Love playing for Celtic Connections. The artists were performing in the beautiful Mackintosh Queens Cross on Gascube Road, the only church in the world designed by the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh. I first caught Andrew and his band playing in this wonderful venue back in 2018 when they supported The Pastels.
Andrew is an immensely intelligent musician who takes inspiration from landscapes, people and stories to create his mesmerising, cinematic soundscapes. He is naturally curious about things, while his prolific nature that has led to him releasing 7 albums since his debut in 2015 - 1 per year since The Paralian in 2019.
Watching Andrew playing the piano with his 7 piece band was a joy and this performance was enhanced by films playing on a large screen behind them. With strings, horns, additional keys, a solid bass underpinning everything and funky, playful and at times jazzy beats, Wasylyk and co conjured up something really special.
As Andrew's music is almost completely instrumental, I have to confess that I'm not great at knowing the names of his songs! I do know that he closed with the sublime Last Sunbeams of Childhood, a favourite from his last album. I just enjoyed being immersed in the experience. Andrew also shouted Free Palestine before beginning his finale, generating a number of cheers in the audience.
There were definitely a number of songs from his Hearing the Water before Seeing the Falls album including a mesmerising The Life Of Time. Andrew explained that photographer Thomas Joshua Cooper was the inspiration behind the album. Thomas talks of life over a beautiful piece of music.
Wasylyk and co also played Truant In Gossamer which was possibly their most psychedelic song of the night, they really got into it and created something very special. I would highly recommend going to see Andrew and his band next time they play - especially if they have the visuals accompanying them.
Towards the end of his show Andrew thanked his band, the production team, Tommy Perman for the visuals and support for the night - Gerard Love. The way Andrew spoke of discovering Teenage Fanclub around the same time as me really struck a chord. Andrew rightly called Gerry 'one of the greats' and I think everyone wholeheartedly agreed.
Gerry himself is exceptionally modest, but his body of work with Teenage Fanclub and Lightships really does inspire people. It's been a joy to watch Gerry playing various venues in and around Glasgow over the last couple of years; playing songs from his back catalogue and occasionally testing out new ones.
Backed by Noel O'Donnell on guitar/drums and the exceptionally talented Tom Crossley on keyboards/flute/xylophone, Gerry played a wonderful set. Don't Look Back had a beautiful church choir singing along gently.
The new songs sounded fantastic. One in particular has a warm flowing melody and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like when the album comes out.
Sometimes I have to close my eyes
When I look
for you
Closing with Ain't That Enough, Love highlighted how blown away he was by the venue and turned around to his band to say 'we should play here again sometime'.
The January Blues can hit pretty hard. What better way to banish them then to dance, sing, laugh and smile with the party machine that is Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five?
I've caught CMD5 a number of times over the years, but the last time was pre-pandemic at a Celtic Connections show at the Old Fruitmarket back in January 2020.
3-years on and CMD5 are as bright, colourful and inventive as ever. I had so much fun that I never counted how many people were in the band. I'm guessing 10; 3 in the horn section, drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, effects/samples plus the effervescent Fathom and the good Colonel John McMustard leading the band and crowd through a 80 minutes of partying.
Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five win friends and hearts wherever and whenever they play. They have built a huge community from wowing people at festivals, leading to huge shows at the Barrowland and the Academy in Glasgow ... alongside trips to Korea.
Their infectious energy transfers to the audience. The cost of living crisis, the climate crisis, the energy crisis ... the Tories ... for 80-minutes yesterday afternoon people forgot about their worries.
Everyone was happy, everyone was smiling, no-one in Oran Mor was sad anymore.
And that is the beauty of Colonel Mustard, that is the power of music. What was extra special was that this was a matinee show, so it was a real family affair. The four of us went and I would love to see more matinee/family friendly shows across the city in the future.
CMD5 have built quite a selection of crowd pleasers over their 2 albums. Taking in disco, funk, pop, reggae, ska and adding a dash of Screamadelica and a sprinkling of humour while appreciating the importance of audience engagement and participation.
We crossed The road (not quite as easy as it is in a festival field, had a dance off (2 kids won inflatable trophies), batted balloons around the room, sang the praises of ginger girls, aaaarrrrggghhhhed as pirates and rrrrrroooooaaaaarrrred as dinosaurs, danced like no-one was watching, bounced like bouncy balls, had a house music rave (This Is Your House was a real favourite) and unified as one to preach peace, love and mustard.
The Colonel parted the crow like the Red Sea to let people dance down the middle
during (and for a) Dance Off
The imagination of John McMustard to write the songs, develop the concept of CMD5 and their Yellow Movement, include humour with reflection and politics, while creating a party vibe is pretty incredible. And it's ambitious. It can't be easy to keep a 10-piece band on the go! But everyone has fun and fun can keep many things going and make everything easier.
I would heartily recommend seeing CMD5 live if you can. Keep an eye on their socials for festival announcements and a Christmas show - they hinted about that on stage. Hopefully there will be a matinee show.
I'm still basking in the warm glow generated by Sunday night's Celtic Connections show in the wonderful setting of Saint Luke's in Glasgow. Everyone attending was especially glad of the warm glow when they left the venue into howling wind and pouring rain!
Three incredible songwriters and musicians are behind my good feelings. James Grant, Norman Blake and Bernard Butler were brought together by the FRETS team in a kind of songwriting circle environment.
The trio lined up across the stage, each taking it in turn to tell the story behind the song they were about to play, before all 3 would then play the song. Their banter was genuinely hilarious. James Grant - total deadpan, Norman Blake - surreal comedy stories and Bernard Butler - just about keeping up with it all.
Brilliant banter and stunning songwriting. Grant kicked it all off, discussing how they wanted to be billed, rhyming off their names in various orders before declaring his personal favourite - Grant, Blake & Butler.
Looking resplendent in cowboy shirt and with super sleek hair, Grant started with State Of Art, laying down a marker to his friends. Norman followed with I Don't Want Control Of You, although he couldn't remember what album it was on. I particularly love this song when it is stripped back, the heartfelt meaning of the lyrics shines that little brighter. Butler then played Although, demonstrating a strong and soulful voice along with his impeccable guitar playing.
Butler's hair was impeccable too. Thick and long, he continually flicked it from his eyes, only for it to fall immediately back again. My wife and friend Lorna swooned.
Yes, the euphoric single that Bernard wrote and released with David McAlmont in 1995 was my highlight of the night. Butler highlighted his friends incredible vocal, going on to say there was no chance he was even going to try and replicate it. The trio went on to deliver a rich and soulful version, with Blake and Grant providing excellent backing vocals at the end.
Thanks to Derek Kirwan for capturing it HERE but please check this rip roaring version from Later with Jools recorded back in the day - simply sensational. Whoever was on after them must have been thinking .... what the ....
Norman introduced Teenage Fanclub's seminal debut single by saying he had recently found the test pressing up in his parents loft, the trio played a beautiful kind of Teenage Fanclub Have Lost It version. Afterwards, Bernard spoke with genuine affection for a moment when he was invited on stage to play Everything Flows with Teenage Fanclub in London, just before he left Suede. It was his favourite song then and his favourite song now. He made a little joke about knowing the direction he wanted to go in, before playing a beautiful version of The Wild Ones. Bernard also highlighted he was still using the same guitar from that very night.
Grant oozed confidence throughout. I'm not very familiar with his work at all, but I'll be digging into it over the months ahead. His songs were first class, Last Ship On The River (with Love and Money) was really beautiful.
I didn't expect to hear Norman stripping back The Concept, but, with the help of James and Bernard, he delivered a beautiful version, complete with long outro. Butler's guitar playing was exquisite.
After a rapturous reception and clamour for an encore (three more tunes, three more tunes) Grant, Blake & Butler closed with their three voices and guitars gelling on Neil Young's Cinnamon Girl, with Grant highlighting Young's stance against Spotify through the week.
I do hope FRETS brings this trio together again. I do hope the sound engineer recorded the gig! Check the full setlist below. This was a real treat of a show.
Bruce Springsteen, AKA The Boss, turned 70 in September 2019. This landmark birthday inspired Roddy Hart to arrange this years Roaming Roots Revue in Springsteen's honour.
The annual bash, a real highlight in the Celtic Connections calendar, celebrated its 8th birthday by selling out their usual haunt at the Royal Concert Hall
For the first time in the events history, a second night was added, in the stunning Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant City area of Glasgow.
Reports from night one were euphorically emphatic and I was thoroughly looking forward to celebrating my birthday with family and friends to the sounds of Springsteen.
What a show!
The setting, song choices, artists, band and performances were just perfect. And we squeezed in right down the front at the side to have a brilliant up close view of performances.
Roddy Hart and The Lonesome Fire were on fire. I think the all standing venue made a difference and perhaps they were looser after playing the night before.
The guests who joined them on stage were exceptional; The Rails, Ryan Bingham, Phil Campbell, Lisa Hannigan, Karine Polwart, Jonathan Wilson and Craig Finn. They all brought something a little different, all teased something out of Springsteen's catalogue that made you appreciate his work as a songwriter and performer a little more and every artist showed their appreciation for the songs and artist that will make me go back and revisit songs and albums over the weeks to come.
Roddy Hart used the first half of the show to introduce his guest singers, with each performing a song or two. Phil Campbell chose to play a song called Western Star from Springsteen's latest album - it was stunning and will ensure I check the album out later in the week.
Roddy Hart and Phil Campbell
After the interval the show didn't let up. The tech team ensured swift changeovers and the show flowed like ... well like a Bruce show should!
The evening was one long beautiful feel good highlight. Although I guess I should note that the 4 songs I played first thing this morning were I'm On Fire, Brilliant Disguise, Hungry Heart and The Rising.
Lisa Hannigan's take on I'm On Fire was jaw droppingly beautiful. You could have heard a pin drop in the Old Fruitmarket. What a voice!
Roddy Hart and Lisa Hannigan
Phil Campbell has an incredible voice and an infectious energy to his performances. He blew me away at the Abbey Road Roaming Roots Revue in 2019 and he did so again last night. I look forward to checking out his new band The Byson Family. His raw, rasping, soulful vocals were perfect for Darkness On The Edge Of Town, Campbell threw himself into the performance.
Karine Polwart led a charing version of The Rising that really got the place going. I found it really interesting to hear her singing in this way, I guess with more ferocity in the music behind her, it really suited her.
I loved the interaction between James Walbourne and Kami Thompson, AKA The Rails. Walbourne tore into his guitar and their harmonising was glorious.
Craig Finn from The Hold Steady is a huge Springsteen fan and his love shone through, he looked super happy to be on stage and taken aback by the audience response.
Look at the setlist below - stunning. Roddy and his band worked the set (see below for full setlist) order brilliantly, building to huge anthems Born To Run, Dancing In The Dark and Badlands. By this point everyone was on stage, playing guitar, singing lead or backing vocals, or just enjoying themselves.
It was fitting that Roddy Hart, the curator of these fantastic annual events, took to the stage with two of his band on piano to deliver a spine tingling encore of Thunder Road. Hart's voice was magnificent, strong and soulful, possibly the best I have heard him.
Last night left me buzzing all day. A truly fitting tribute to Springsteen.
I do hope that the demand for tickets in 2021 will ensure Roddy's Roaming Roots Revue keeps a second night at the Old Fruitmarket. I have to confess that earlier on today I was thinking of ideas what they could do. I thought of Carole King, she'll be 80 in 2022 so that is one to pipeline as a potential for then.
My friend Ian went both nights and nabbed a setlist from night 1. Ian noted that the set list had 3 changes on the second night (which, incidentally he said was best): Ryan Bingham and Lisa Hannigan did different tracks, and Land of Hope and Dreams was dropped. But what a show
The pubs surrounding the Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant City area of Glasgow were sprinkled with yellow from around 5.30pm on Friday 17th January. There was also the odd disco ball style cap and plenty of people looking like they were dressed for a weekend at a festival rather than a Friday night out in Glasgow.
I wonder how many people have fallen for Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 (CMD5) as a result of seeing them at a festival over the last 5-years or so? Difficult to predict, but in that time the band have grown into a staple of the festive scene in Scotland and beyond.
If you have seen them, then it is easy to describe why. And that is why over 1,300 people descended on the Old Fruitmarket dressed in yellow, with painted faces, flowers in their hair, disco ball hats and looking ready for the weekend.
They came to laugh, to sing, dance, smile and forget about their worries for a few hours. And they did just that.
CMD5 are always quick to promote bands and artists they enjoy - see my previous interview with David Blair for substantial evidence. On this occasion they chose to promote my sister Carla J Easton by asking her to support.
Carla and her band played brilliantly. Wearing yellow to get into the spirit of the night, Carla played songs from her Homemade Lemonade (released under the guise of Ette) and Impossible Stuff albums, along with new material. Get Lost from the new songs is possibly my favourite song she has ever recorded. And she brought her pal Stina from Honeyblood on for guest vocals on new song Weirdo. It was a polished and confident set and I look forward to seeing what 2020 brings.
Photo by Stuart Westwood
On to the main act. I never did get round to counting how many people were on stage with CMD5. I was quite simply too busy enjoying myself.
Opening with International Sex Hero and going straight into festival favourite Dance Off, the Colonel and his merry band of yellow heroes had the place bouncing from the off. They barely let up, they seemed to just keep the beat and the groove going from start to finish.
Photo by Stuart Westwood
The band have so much positive energy it is unbelievable. New songs worked well; Disco Colin and the current single G.T. mixed well with the old classics.
Cross The Road is a FESTIVAL CLASSIC and even though it was packed we did manage to cross the road. Dance Like Nobody's Watching might be the next festival classic, while Gay Icon took the roof off the place. At some point in all of this David Blair crowdsurfed - at least twice.
Photo by Iain Cochrane
Anthems like Peace, Love and Mustard demand crowd participation, smiles, laughter, high fives .... and all round good feeling. These Are Not The Drugs You Are Looking For is one of my favourite songs from the last 5-years, like the Beta Band produced by Andrew Weatherall, it is so clever, so funny, so socially conscious, so bonkers brilliant.
There was time for one more, the surging pop of Ginger Girl had everyone with their hands in the air singing the chorus. The band quickly played a little bit of How Many Many's and Capturado and sent everyone off into the night with smiles. What a night!
Those with energy stayed to dance to DJ Amy Lame from 6Music.
Roll on the summer. And to Celtic Connections bookers - can you book them now to brighten next January please?! This is a special, special band who can transport you into a good place and make you forget your worries and the state of the world for a couple of hours.
David Blair, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Summer 2019
Picture by Robert Adam
In these testing times we live in there is a band that always brings a smile to my face. A band that gets me singing, dancing and putting my hands in the air. Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 have become a firm favourite in Scotland and beyond over the last decade, with legendary festival performances playing a huge role. I decided to catch up with the bundle of energy that is David John Blair, D(ij)ancer and force of nature for the band.
The beautiful picture above, of David and his band uniting a festival, perfectly captures the energy and enthusiasm Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 generate when they play live with anthems like; Dance Off, Cross The Road, Peace Love and Mustard and the anti-drugs song These Are Not The Drugs Your Are Looking For. That song ends with the mantra everyone is happy, everyone is smiling, no-one here is sad anymore.
I look forward to seeing Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 getting the party started, celebrating the release of their new single G.T., in the beautiful surroundings of The Old Fruit Market in Glasgow on Friday 17th January. TICKETS HERE
Honestly, if you have the January blues, or if you just fancy a good night out, you won't regret it. Added bonus that my sister Carla is supporting and has some cracking new pop songs to play.
The band have just released their new single G.T. which is zooming up the alternative music charts.
I caught up with David for an extensive interview - should have done a podcast! Read on for loads of music recommendations and tonnes of positive energy.
EF - How are things with you and the band? What can we expect from your Celtic Connections show?
On a personal note, never better thanks! I started my actual Dream Job as Market and Ballroom Assistant for the Glasgow institution Margaret McIver Ltd, more famously known as The Barras Market (100 years old in 2021) and the Barrowland Ballroom AKA the Greatest Venue for Live Music in the World, on the 23rd of last month.
I've been going through an induction period of getting to know the role, buildings and area and the place is steeped in so much history it;s unreal. A truly humbling education and experience. It's genuinely my spiritual musical home and having played it five times, been to about 200+ gigs there and the band being inducted into the Hall of Fame in December 2018 makes it all the more special to now call it my place of 'work'.
Shout and MASSIVE thank you to the manager Tom Joyes for having the faith in me to offer me the job and for being such an amazing music mentor to me over the years. Tom's passion and knowledge for the business, area and music industry is unrivalled by many. What a man to learn from! As as are all The Barras Family working in there. We're really close knit, like a family. The banter is tremendous and it's great to have a laugh as much as possible in life. It's good for the soul.
CMD5 have a mass Dance Off in their favourite venue
There's a buzz around the East End Quarter at the moment and it's an honour to be spending so much time in an area so fertile with creativity. 2020 is going to be a BIG year for the East End!
As for the band, there are, as always, lots of things happening and coming together. We're busy finishing our second album, provisional working title The Difficult Number 2, with Paul 'Gal' Gallagher at Glenwood Studio in Castlemilk. It's pencilled in for release on 5th May 2020. Just in time for festival season with some new festival season anthems on it for The Dijon Family to dance like nobody is watching to!
Last Sunday (5th January) BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Amy Lame gave our new single G.T. (single and album released on Button Up Records - Garry John Kane - The Proclaimers bassist - record label) it's international radio airplay exclusive! That was after we woke up to a three page spread in the Sunday Mail interviewing the Colonel and using our new space themes photo shoot images from the incredibly talented Lee Howell Photography. We were so impressed with his photoshoot and artwork for Bombskare's last album A Million Ways To Die, that we asked him to work with us too.
EF - What were your highlights from 2019? Did any festivals stand out in particular?
Festival season is usually my go-to memory bank when I'm asked for band highlights of the year. Kelburn Garden Party was our best one yet I think. Of maybe five or so appearances. Tom McGuire and The Brassholes were on the Square Stage before us. I think they're one of the best funk and soul and party bands around and we have a lot of audience crossover so it really got the party vibe going with us dancing away in the crowd and then continuing with the Dijon party vibes straight after them.
We played our fourth year in a row at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. The Highlands Dijon Family really, really go for it up there and we've seen our crowds go from a capacity Hothouse Stage tent (1,500 ish) to being moved up to the main Garden Stage and the numbers growing steadily to 15,000 in 2019!
This will be our fifth birthday party playing there this year. The main stage production team told us post-gig it was the largest EVER crowd they'd ever had at the main stage! Until one of Bathgate's finest exports, Lewis Capaldi, bettered that later the samenight. Fair play Lewis!
Boomtown Fair, in Winchester, is one of the biggest festivals in the UK now and one of my favourites. Their whole Movement there, philosophy (peace, love, creativity) and vibe is beautiful. Approx 70,000 mad revellers attend and the level of production is movie set material everywhere you look. The aforementioned Tom and The Brassholes played, our bezzie mates from The People's Republic of Merseyside, She DRew The Gun, were a highlight, along with an incendiary set from the Prophets of Rage to close the Town Centre stage on the Sunday. Tom Morello had a message for our Evil Empire 'leader' Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson on his guitar!
EF - The Scottish festival landscape has changes; no more T in the Park, no more Wickerman, no more Electric Fields .... you are probably more well placed than most to comment. What is working? And are there any gaps?
The festival landscape seems to always be evolving in it's own way, as you would expect. We were lucky enough to tick T in the Park off the bucket list at the last one ever at Strathallan and then DF Concert's came back with TRNSMT in our home town on Glasgow Green with no need for camping. I have had some amazing days at TRNSMT and for someone who doesn't drink alcohol (11 years aff it on 4th May 2020), I can leave the site, drive straight home and be in the shower or bed in fifteen minutes!
My heart belongs to Glasgow so I LOVE to see Glasgow's music scene thriving. TENEMENT TRAIL moving East last year was an amazing day of live music between the Barrowland Ballroom, Barras Art and Design, Saint Luke's The Winged Ox, Creative East End, Many Studios and more.
I'm always excited to play new festivals and we've announced one in the Black Isle, outside Inverness, called Woodzstock, that we've been asked to headline and are playing with our Highlands hip hop brothers and sisters, Spring Break. Their MC (The Badger Sized Rat) and DJ (Butterscotch) - both the same person - normally joins us onstage at Bella and we love them and their music.
Closer to home, I love the look of Playground Festival in Rouken Glen Park and with Underworld announced already I have a really good feeling that is going to be an incredible and not to be missed festival for the Central Belt.
EF - You have an incredible thirst for music - which artists and bands in Scotland are you particularly fond of at present?
Each year I think our music community gets stronger and the talent within it even better! I don't see 2020 being any different. I am particularly looking forward to the Return of The Odd, being Stanley Odd - one of my favourite bands EVER and MC Solareye AKA Dave Hook AKA Dr Hip Hop, one of the soundest folk in the music community at the ever excellent Neu! Reekie! night organised by Michael Pederson and Kevin Williamson for Burns and Beyond on 25th January in the Freemasons Hall in Edinburgh.
Medicine Men have a new album coming out I'm looking forward to. The level of creative talent coming out of Glasgow's Last Night From Glasgow record label is outstanding and I doff my disco cap to Ian Smith and everyone involved there. Keep an eye on everything coming out of Chris Blackmore's excellent Holy Smokes Records - The Hoojamamas, Awkward Family Portraits, Quiche and more.
Ones to watch our for this year are The Rain Experiment - like a cross between Catfish and The Bottlemen, Blossoms and Sam Fender. Have a watch of the Be My Angel video.
Have Mercy Las Vegas, Bombskare, Yoko Kwono, Feet of Clay's debut album, your sister Carla J Easton (our Celtic Connections gig Special Guest), Scotland's most talented teenagers Connor Fyfe, Robin Ashcroft and Emi V, Free Love, Stara Zagora, DopeSickFly, Flew The Arrow, Deni, Zoe Graham, Freakwace, Vanlves, Megan Airlie, kitti, Cara Rose, Zoe Bestel, BLair Coron, hip hop from the aforementioned Spring Break, Steg G and The Freestyle Master, Loki, Kayce One, GASP, Shotgun, Physiks, Kamihamiha! Mosta Bohze, Empress, Delivery Room, The Twistettes, Mickey 9's, Melisa Kelly and The Smokin' Crows and so many more! So many sources of inspiration around us.
Last year I started 23 Music Management and Promotions with Andy Anderson and with help from his brother Frankie roo and the first artist I am managing is the outstanding John Rush. Check him out, he really is amazing. Solo, singer-songwriter, acoustic guitar, stomp box, harmonica and incredibly soulful voice with a Scottish brogue. He's been drawing comparisons somewhere in between Ray LaMontagne and David Gray.
One of, and possibly my favourite band right now are HENGE. A four piece (three of whom are intergalactic aliens and one Homo Sapien) who are on a Universal mission called The Cosmic Dross Experiment to spread peace, love and music - from prog rock to techno and cosmic gestures unknown to us Ravelings here on Planet Earth.
EF - We entered 2020 with right wing leadership, climate emergencies and the threat of war. What gives you hope?
What gives me hope in these mad, bad, crazy times? Us. Power to The People. It's ALL happening on OUR watch so the only people that can do anything about it is ... US! From a creative standpoint I am very much inspired by the Dadaists response to the horrors of WW1. We need to continue and increase the use of arts to imagine, create and inspire. We need more civil disobedience and mobilising the masses to, borrow some Primal Scream lyrics, come together as ONE, to agitate, protest and resist the Evil Empires, corporations and backed by right-wing billionaire owned gutter press/propoganda. We need system change.
And that means facing up to capitalism and it's greedy illusion of perpetual growth/GDP on a finite planet. We don't inherit the planet from our parents, we borrow it from our children. In the immortal words of Zack de la Rocha, 'Anger is a gift' and we DO need to get angry at what's happening and channel that into positive non-violent direct action to affect, demand and make positive change.
Rage Against The Machine are hitting the comeback trail again this year, it is very timely and much needed. To use their lyrics from Take The Power Back
The Movement's in motion with mass militant poetry
The rage is relentless
We need a movement with a quickness
Youa re the witness of change and to counteract
We gotta take the power back
EF - Post Celtic-Connections, what does the rest of the year have in store for you?
The new album on 5th May 2020. Festival season. Announced so far for us are Woodzstock Festival, Speyfest and Bella. More to follow ... Getting out and about and playing more of the new album and old songs, spreading the peace, love and Mustard and partying with the Dijon Family again. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Idles and their album title Joy As An Act Of Resistance is like a mantra to me.
EF - Any New Year Resolutions?
I don't really go for anything too specific. Every day is the start of the rest of your life. Focus on the positive changes we can make in our Eternal Nows. For myself, I hope each year is a healthy, happy and prosperous one filled with peace, love and music and those are the main things I wish for all my family, friends and all the world really.
Even for those stuck in bad ruts, negative feedback lopps, misguided, hurting themselves and others. Just stop being a c**t to yourself and others and then maybe the world will be as One
Glasgow discovered a fantastic way to banish the January blues many years ago - the city decided to launch a festival called Celtic Connections to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of music our small country is blessed with (and other music we enjoy too!). As many cities pubs and restaurants experience their quietest month of the year, Glasgow keeps on going as pubs, venues and restaurants are packed with people out to enjoy music and banter. It's the Glasgow way, we are a social bunch and like nothing better than to watch talented musicians with our friends and a beer.
Roddy Hart's Roaming Roots Revue has become a staple of Celtic Connections. Roddy and his excellent band The Lonesome Fire, become host and backing band for a string of artists to pay respect to great artists like Dylan or Petty, or scenes like the West Coast of America, or, in the case of last night, an album.
Abbey Road was the last album The Beatles recorded and it was released in 1969, 50-years ago. It's a nice round number, definitely an excuse for a party.
And what a party Roddy Hart conjured up. He's quite the host and knows how to choose guests that will get a crowd going. Last night, as well as being joined by a capacity crowd at the fabulous Royal Concert Hall, Roddy was joined by his outstanding band The Lonesome Fire, a forty (yes 4 0 ) piece orchestra and stunning artists; KT Tunstall, Lomond Campbell, Phil Campbell from The Temperence Movement, The Staves and new band You Tell Me (Sarah Hayes from Admiral Fallow and Peter Brewis of Field Music).
I did wonder how they were going to fill up a whole evening with one album, Roddy quickly informed us that each artist would come out to play 2 or 3 of their own songs with The Lonesome Fire and then they would move on to The Beatles.
Each artist was fantastic, Roddy is clearly a fan of Lomond Campbell and I'm sure he will have won a number of new fans after a heartfelt performance. The debut album by You and Me is literally just out, so this was a perfect opportunity for them to get the word out - the album has been picking up excellent reviews. Sarah Hayes beamed from behind a huge piano and he voice was sweet and soulful, combining beautifully with Peter Brewis.
Phil Campbell is not someone I was aware of prior to last night. I've heard of his band The Temperence Movement but have never checked them out, I will be after last night. This guy oozes cheeky charm and charisma (more on this later). His short set allowed him to display a raspy early 70's Rod Stewart style voice and he bounded around like a cross between Steve Marriott from the Small Faces and vintage Jagger. Oh and he melted hearts when his young daughter shouted Daddy when the crowd was quiet and he said he loved her.
The Staves are three young sisters who I will be checking out. Roddy introduced them by highlighting their classic songwriting and 3-part harmonies were winning fans everywhere - no wonder! They were spellbinding.
And lastly, KT Tunstall bounded on looking pretty cool in stripes flares and a vest top, playing 3 great songs and also giving us some great between song banter ranging from a drunken night at karaoke with her friends when she found that two of her songs were on the list - she played Suddenly I See - and also talking about playing in the pouring rain to two ladies giving it laldy at the opening of the new Queensferry crossing - the Queen had left and after that so had everyone else. The two left were her Mum and Nicola Sturgeon.
On to Abbey Road.
Roddy and friends made full use of the space and sound quality by getting a 40-piece orchestra to back them up! The sound quality last night was utterly brilliant - sonic goodness of the highest order.
My money was on Phil Campbell to sing Come Together, but it was KT Tunstall who came out and channelled the urgency, soul and humour of Lennon, setting a high bar for the rest of the guests.
Lomond Campbell accepted the challenge and his version of Something was beautiful, the way the song flows is sublime and the 40-piece orchestra took it as high as they possibly could and it soared during the you're asking me where my love goes, I don't know, I don't know section.
You Tell Me arguably drew the short straw with McCartney's Maxwell's Silver Hammer, but the melodies and humour carried the song and it actually made more sense live than on record. This is a song that Lennon famously refused to play on.
When I think of Abbey Road Macca I think of side 2. I'm not massively fussed about the above song or Oh Darling. My opinion of both changed last night, especially the latter as Phil Campbell took the song to another level with an astonishing vocal performance, whipping himself and the band to sensational heights. The look on some of the faces of people playing in the orchestra was priceless as Campbell shared, shimmied and cajoled himself to get every ounce of soul from the song. This was a stunning vocal and frontman performance and he received an extended ovation that was very richly deserved.
I love Octopus's Garden. There I've said it. I love the melody, the dreamy charm, the fact my kids love it and I love that Ringo wrote it (allegedly -I still kind of think McCartney might have had a hand in it!). It was nice of Roddy to hand it over to his drummer, Scott McKay, to sing. Scott had never sung a song in front of an audience, so when Roddy told us that, Scott had everyone on side. And he had everyone helping him out, it was a lovely moment.
Then we had Tunstall and Phil Campbell duetting on a powerful and sexual I Want You (She's So Heavy) that was a joy to hear and witness. The guitars were superb.
Then we had that spell binding side 2 which quickly developed to almost everyone being on stage. You and Me had the joy of Here Comes The Sun with a Spectoresque number of guitars helping the orchestra.
We had The Staves with a breathtaking performance of Because, we had You Never Give Me Your Money into Sun King, the romp through Mean Mr Mustard and Polythene Pam into the uplifting She Came In Through The Bathroom Window. Lomond Campbell, KT Tunstall and Phil Campbell all coming and going with remarkable fluidity. The ooh's and aah's delivered by The Staves were truly beautiful
Then it was into McCartney's stunning finale - Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight and the most beautiful of closing numbers The End.
Only it wasn't, as per the album Roddy Hart played Her Majesty after the applause had finally died down.
What a performance, what a show! Top marks to all involved.
There was a little encore, as Roddy said, why waste the opportunity of a 40-piece orchestra! You Tell Me were at their best on She's Leaving Home and Penny Lane was a riot with every singer taking lines.
There is a lot to shout about in the Scottish music scene in early 2019. I struggle to think of a time in the history of this blog where it has felt so vibrant. The reasons for my positivity? Fantastic emerging and developing artists, strong audience figures, collaborations between artists and labels, established bands finding new ways to get their kicks, a strong DIY culture, 'veteran' bands like The Bluebells and The Skids finding an audience is awaiting and lots of creativity and ideas. The Bluebells Quay Sessions show displayed a band full of confidence and fun, I hope they announce some live shows in the near future.
Artists, bands and labels are adapting to a very new musical landscape. Gerry Cinnamon is blazing a brand new trail for an unsigned artist, a number of artists and bands are recognising the importance of crowdfunding and the incredible independence that can bring, Mogwai's Rock Action Records are going from strength to strength with new signings The Twilight Sad and Kathryn Joseph, while Last Night From Glasgow have grown phenomenally in their short 3-year existence and enter 2019 with plans for at least 8 physical releases.
So this blog takes a look at some of the things on the Scottish music scene that I'm looking forward to in 2019 and also a few things that I'll certainly be keeping an eye on.
Of course, this is just my take on things. There is so much more to explore.
January - Celtic Connections .... and more
Glasgow's annual Celtic Connections gets bigger, better and more eclectic every year. The traditional late night folk sessions are alive and well, and the heart of Celtic Connections will always be there with folk and trad. This year I've got tickets for the Roaming Roots Revue taking on Abbey Road at 50 and for my sister Carla J Easton playing her biggest show to date at Oran Mor.
Other shows that catch my eye include Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab) at the Hug and Pint on Thursday 17th, Mull Historical Society with Bernard Butler at the CCA, Blue Rose Code at the City Halls, Graham Nash at the Concert Hall, Ronnie Spector at the Old Fruitmarket (might still go to this, venue pictured below) and Siobhan Wilson at St Lukes.
There is also an incredible afternoon of music at The Glad Cafe on 19th January featuring The Spook School and Hairband.
Celtic Connections spills into February and you have Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert playing the gorgeous Old Fruitmarket, Andrew Wasylyk playing The Blue Arrow and Olive Grove Records showcasing at the Hug and Pint.
Outwith Celtic Connections, Dinosaur Jr's J Mascis plays the lovely St Lukes, while Sister John launch their second LP with a show at the Poetry Club and Withered Hand plays the Hug and Pint (as part of Celtic Connections) - all on 25th January!
King Tuts have their annual series of nights under the New Year's Revolution banner, but I am so out of touch that I don't know any of the bands playing! They do have Pete Wylie on later in the month though!
So there is plenty of potential for warm nights in cool venues with friends, a beer and great music.
Big shows
Most of the shows I attend in Glasgow these days tend to be intimate basement or loft style gigs at the likes of The Hug and Pint, Sleazys, Broadcast, Stereo or the Old Hairdressers. With Mono and the Barrowland thrown in for very good measure. However 3 of my favourite shows from 2018 were at the Hydro. Arcade Fire played an extraordinary show at the huge venue, making it as intimate, raw and soulful as the Barras, James and The Charlatans played a double bill blinder and Paul McCartney rounded off the year in exceptional style.
The Hydro has already announced a load of shows, with The Chemical Brothers in November being high on my list. Look out for much, much more being announced in January and February.
Glasgow's Chvrches return to their home city for a huge show on Saturday 16th February.
Intimate gigs
As mentioned, I love intimate shows and the Old Hairdressers has really become a favourite venue of mine. Indie veterans, although still remarkably young, BiS launch their new album on LNFG with a weekend of shows at the Old Hairdressers, the Glad Cafe and the Hug and Pint.
The latter venue have a fantastic selection of shows for Celtic Connections including one from Laetitia Sadier Source (formerly of Stereolab) and one from Withered Hand.
Watching a small gig with friends and a couple of beers is my idea of a perfect night out. I expect to be doing it a lot in 2019.
A real standout (at one of the larger basement venues) in early 2019 is Free Love with Bossy Love at Stereo on Saturday 2nd February. Get your tickets fast for this one.
DIY labels, collaborations and events
2018 saw LNFG organise a couple of pop-up record shops in the fantastic Doublet Bar and these are set to continue through 2019 with the next one taking place on 23rd February. Highly recommended for live music, chat and records.
The growing non-profit label has an incredible run of releases scheduled for this year and will celebrate its 3rd birthday with their annual party at Stereo with Sister John, Foundlings, Cloth and Annie Booth on the bill.
Sister John, Cloth, Domiciles, Bis, Medicine Men, Foundlings, Stephen Solo are all releasing albums on LNFG this year and the label is set to continue to collaborate and partner with other DIY labels.
Elsewhere Olive Grove Records launch 2019 with the aforementioned showcase at the Hug and Pint on 2nd February. The label is gaining strength and is set to release a string of EP's. I am particularly looking forward to releases from Chrissy Barnacle and Pocket Knife.
Scottish Fiction have informed me they have a very busy 2019 planned with some very special events set to be announced and I've already mentioned Rock Action Records who have the hotly anticipated new LP by The Twilight Sad coming out later this month.
There are so many more DIY labels to look out for including Monorail who released the debut EP by Hairband (pictured below) and Fuzzkill Records who have a great ear for garage guitar bands.
I'm looking forward to/keeping an eye on
Teenage Fanclub - post Gerry Love
2018 was a glorious year to be a Teenage Fanclub fan. I caught them live 5 times. Intimate shows at the Trades Club and the CCA, before 3 glorious nights in succession at the Barrowland as they played their classic Creation Records albums in full.
The shows were tinged with a touch of sadness as it was announced that Gerry wouldn't be continuing with the band as they announced considerable plans for touring across the world in 2019.
So who will replace Gerry? Will they play his songs? Rumours are that long-term friend of the band Euros Child will join to play keys and Dave will play bass. With shows in February, we'll find out soon enough.
Regardless, I hope they announce some Scottish dates for later in the year. Or maybe a wee secret warm-up to test the new line-up before heading to America?
Gerry Cinnamon
I blogged on the rise and rise of Gerry Cinnamon last summer and he has achieved even more since then, ending the year by playing Edinburgh's huge Hogmanay party after a string of sold out shows, including 4 in Glasgow.
What next? Well there are European tour dates for starters and I expect new music and a string of festivals. Will we get a single first?
Don't be surprised if the album comes out unexpectedly. Gerry doesn't play by the rules. As Gerry likes to play the Barrowland every year, his booking agent might need to consider taking out a residency to keep up with demand.
The Boaty Weekender
Belle and Sebastian announced, what seemed to me like, a very ambitious floating festival for this summer. The cruise would stop in various locations and aim to capture the spirit of their Bowlie Weekender on the 20th anniversary of their famous campsite takeover.
It is expensive and I've been keeping an eye on things, as, despite being a huge fan of the Belles, I did wonder if they had bitten off more than they could chew with this one.
Looks like I'm wrong. There has been heated online debates in relation to prices and to whether they couldn't just have booked a big campsite in Europe, but it looks like sales are strong. Certainly strong enough to announce a big supporting cast including Teenage Fanclub.
I'll be following events and activities online.
Carla J Easton
Of course I'm looking forward to seeing what my sister does through 2019! 3 albums in 3 years via her band TeenCanteen, under the alias of Ette and Impossible Stuff, her debut under her own name have really raised her profile. Recording with Howard Billerman, writing and recording with Belle and Sebastian and playing a string of shows with her band and solo have given her a huge confidence boost.
That confidence was further enhanced when the Banff Arts Centre asked her to come and be a resident on the songwriting retreat that she attended back in March 2017, sowing the seeds for her to return and record the album later that year.
So Carla is a resident along with Grammy Award winning songwriters, people who play with Beck and Jack White and she also gets time to write and record as well!
Cloth
Signed to Last Night From Glasgow within a couple of days of their first song Demo Love coming out, Cloth have been finding their feet while releasing a string of single releases - largely digital with extremely limited 7-inch vinyl available. They enter 2019 hotly tipped by Vic Galloway, Huw Stephens and many more. Atmospheric, melodic, hushed, cinematic, electro, reverb-y songs with a hint of The XX are the reason why so many are excited.
Hairband
The aforementioned Hairband have the backing of the fabulous people at Monorail who put out their debut EP. Their song Flying is a favourite of mine and many people I know have told me that I have to make sure I catch them live. I intend to do that ASAP!
SAY Award
I love the debate that the SAY Award throws up and I love discovering new artists from the nominees, longest and shortlist. Happy Meals (now Free Love) and Andrew Wasylyk are two of the artists I have found via the SAY Award. Personally, I hope the award ceremony returns to Glasgow. No offence to Paisley, but Glasgow is the home of the Scottish music scene and I feel strongly that it should take place in one of the cities many fantastic venues.
Barraloadasoul
It's been a couple of years since I have attended the annual northern soul alldayer at the Barrowland and I hope to rectify that this year. Brilliant tunes, friendly atmosphere, the best venue in town and loads of cool and well dressed people. Tickets are on sale for the 11th May date.
Festival season and summer shows
Last year Scotland took festival and summer season to another level. Electric Fields, outdoor shows at SWG3 in the Galvanizers Yard, Nile Rodgers in Kelvingrove Park, TRNSMT, Bellahouston, Belladrum, Princess Street Gardens shows, Linlithgow Palace, European Championship shows in George Square .... and lots of other things too.
The Cure playing Bellahouston with local faves Mogwai and The Twilight Sad is bound to be popular. After pulling the biggest crowd at TRNSMT in 2018, will Gerry Cinnamon return to headline in 2019?
I've yet to find my replacement for Wickerman, but I enjoyed taking the kids to Linlithgow's Party at the Palace last summer and they loved Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5. I hope we can have a family outing or two to see them again.
Fave bands
I hope to see lots of my favourite bands; The Lemonheads play SWG3 in February, Embrace celebrate the 21st anniversary of their debut album at the Barrowland in March and I would love to see Teenage Fanclub, The Charlatans, James, The Bluebells, The Pastels, The Vaselines, BMX Bandits, Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5, Primal Scream, Chemical Brothers ....
And much, much more
Who knows what will happen in the Scottish music scene over the next 12-months? One things for sure, it won't be boring.
I really shouldn't be surprised any more. But my wee sister has a habit of pulling things out the bag that do surprise her biggest fans and her family. Her determination and artistic development is always a pleasure to experience.
This was her debut show as a solo artist under her own name, after albums with her band TeenCanteen and under the guise of Ette. Both released albums in 2016.
2017 saw Carla accepted on to a prestigious songwriting residency at the Banff Arts Centre in Canada. She had 2-weeks with her own studio overlooking snowy mountains to focus on writing and recording. It proved to be a life changing couple of weeks, new friendships were made, new confidence was discovered and the songs flowed. Part of the confidence came from people like Howard Billerman (Arcade Fire) and nashville award winning songwriters telling Carla how talented she was and how much they loved her songs.
Filled with enthusiasm, Carla booked to return to Canada in September to work with Howard to produce an album. So she scrimped and saved, then received confirmation that she had a Creative Scotland grant just before she left, so she could record an album with her new friends.
It's an incredible album that she is sitting on, and the songs keep coming! She is in a rich vein of form and it is so pleasing to see. I look forward to it coming out when the time is right.
Carla's friends from Canada were invited over for some shows at Celtic Connections, Neu! Reeky, in Manchester, a 6Music session and in London. Amazingly they all made it over!
They arrived on Sunday, she of them ended up playing Janice Forsyth's show on Monday, then there was lots of rehearsals and catching up. So much so that by yesterday afternoon Carla could barely speak!
I met her in the Hug and Pint and she was drinking warm whiskey but she couldn't talk! The claivar I bought her must have helped!
Taking to the stage with Kev (drums), Laura (synths and b vox), Jessie (bass and b vox), Brett (guitar) from Canada and with friends Amanda (guitar and sometime TeenCanteen) and Paul (synth and Ette) it was quite a feat that they could all fit on stage! They all played and combined exceptionally well - especially considering they had never all met until Tuesday!
Carla caused laughter by admitting (and you could hear it) that she had almost lost her voice but then produced an astonishing performance. Quite where she found it from I will never know, I'm not sure she will either! Sheer determination, will-power and adrenaline got her through along with lots of support on stage and in the audience.
The sound in the Hug and Pint was top class. The band were brilliant, looking great, sounding even better. The new songs build on everything that Carla has produced and highlighted through her work to date - melodies flow, stories are told, there are hooks galore and even the odd knock our uppercut, and choruses to sing on first listen.
Milk and Honey opened proceedings with Carla playing theremin and looking like she was having the time of her life. As were her incredible band. Smiles were on stage and off. Meet Me In Paris was glorious and then there was a few songs from her recent past. Bird In The Sky is my favourite Ette song but it was speeded up and psychedelicised (is that a word?!) last night. Attack Of The Glam Soul Cheerleaders was ace - total Spector meets Motown in London in 1967, before a run through of TeenCanteen's Honey prompted Carla to invite another friend on stage with Sita P from TeenCanteen helping on the beautiful layered harmonies.
New single Lights In The Dark is stunning and it gets better with every listen, it has been stuck in my head all day. Strangely all of Carla's new stuff made much more sense after seeing it live with her friends and her band.
Wanting What I Can't Have was a highlight. Coming across like a Screamadelica era Primal Scream with great beats, synths and a soaring chorus that goes on an on mantra style at the end.
Lullaby was beautiful. Slowly easing into itself before building into a stunning Harrison-esque instrumental with fantastic guitar leading back to vocals.
I can read your face even if with my eyes shut tight
In depths of darkest night
I feel you out and see the light
Carla had to get the band to introduce themselves as she couldn't talk - yet somehow she could sing and her vocals on Lullaby were exceptional.
The night concluded with Carla introducing the song Impossible Stuff, asking the audience to just go with them at the end. The band took the audience on a real trip, the start is Disney-esque, so playful and melodic and then the chorus just soars and soars. There is then a delicious spine tingling breakdown before everything builds and goes gloriously crazy - brilliant fun was had on stage.
Check this version that Carla recorded with the Scottish Opera just 2-days after returning from Canada last September!
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