Saint Etienne and The Pastels at the Barrowland Ballroom

Saint Etienne and The Pastels at the Barrowland was an enticing prospect to warm the hearts of fans of independent pop music. It showed, the famous ballroom was sold out and packed out. Saint Etienne are on their final UK tour, but have highlighted that they will continue to play festivals and one-off events. So, who knows when they will be back in Scotland?

Has The Pastels ever played the Barrowland before? That was the question on the lips of music fans climbing the stairs to the hallowed ballroom in time for Saint Etienne's special guest support act. A quick google highlighted that they had supported Teenage Fanclub back in 1995. I might even have been there! I imagine I probably was but I can't remember.

The Pastels formed back in 1981 and released their debut single Songs for Children on Whaam! Records the following year. Remarkably, it is approaching 50-years since they formed. Stephen Pastel and his band remain shining lights, guiding lights for independent music in Scotland and beyond. The 6-piece Pastels shuffled on to the Barrowland stage at 8pm sharp and Stephen was quick to thank their friends Saint Etienne for inviting them to play.

This was a beautiful set by The Pastels. Stephen also thanked Kenny on sound, and he was right to do so. The melancholic grooves that the band got into, aided by some sublime trumpet, were lovingly warm, dreamy and soothing.

The Pastels opened with Basement Scam. Stephen crooning, playing a gorgeous chord sequence, the 6-piece Pastels creating a wonderfully warm sound. Summer Rain conjures all kinds of imagery and emotions, Check My Heart is glorious upbeat sunshine pop, while Baby Honey is Velvets-y, garage coolness personified. 

Stephen's humour was also on display as he addressed the crowd; 'Most of the songs we've played are from our most recent record. Which isn't that recent ... but we are The Pastels.' 

Thankfully it won't be long before I see The Pastels again as they play The Glad Cafe in November as part of the annual Tiny Changes series of shows.

Saint Etienne came on stage to the sound of one of their own songs - Filthy, from the deluxe edition of Fox Base Alpha. It is tres cool. Check it out.

Pete, Bob and Sarah were joined by long term collaborator (essentially the fourth member) Debs Wykes on vocals and Loz Colbert from Ride on drums. Also a bass/violin player that I didn't catch the name of.

They were on it from the start. Tonight opened proceedings, with Sarah waltzing in wearing a sparkly jacket, later ditched due to the heart in the room and allow freedom to dance. Like A Motorway (check this recent blog) was next up and the synth bass groove was glorious.

Bob and Pete were on a raised platform behind the rest of the band, like a pair of Chris Lowe fans (slightly less eccentric fashion style!), and they created pop perfection, just like Chris and Neil. Cool 808 beats, funky bass grooves, cheesey keyboards and then Sarah and Debs sang gorgeous melodies and hooks over the top.

You're In A Bad Way was my introduction to the band and I sang along heartily. Only Love Can Break Your Heart generated a Barrowland roar, that would have gone on longer and louder had the band not moved on swiftly to DJ and then the superbly titled Stormtrooper In Drag.

Then it really was pop perfection with a euphoric He's On The Phone resulting in an audience sing-song and huge shouts of YES. Pete and Bob mixed in Seven Ways To Love (their song as Cola Boy), before going back into He's On The Phone for a few more epic choruses.

Nothing Can Stop Us Now sounded utterly timeless and super powerful as an encore, before Saint Etienne ended with The Last Time, the final song on their final album.

There were no emotional or extended goodbyes with the band departing the stage (too?) quickly. It is goodbye, but not, as the tour title suggests, farewell. Saint Etienne will continue to play festivals and one-off shows.