Mogwai at Glasgow Barrowland

If Phil Spector created the wall of sound,

Mogwai have created a f**king forcefield.

Last nights Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom show to celebrate 20-years of music was sonically sensational, fierce, beautiful, brutal, jaw dropping, ear shattering and spine tinglingly amazing.

My friend and I were genuinely blown away by the majestic power and beauty created on the legendary Barrowland stage. Almost literally at one point during Mogwai Fear Satan in the encore as the band let things drop before absolutely exploding back into life.

I can only liken it to the bit in Back To The Future when Marty McFly plugs his guitar in and turns everything up, plays a chord and is blown across the room. It was utterly amazing.

As you can imagine; there was a lot of love in the room last night for a local band playing the second of two sold out nights to celebrate 20-years since their first release.

The band gave plenty back though; a 3 strong support bill (with The Vaselines on incredible rip roaring form) and a collection for the local foodbank said a lot about Mogwai's values as a band. They look after their friends, promote their influences and firmly believe in a more equal society with Braithwaite dedicating a song to everyone who had taken part in the anti austerity march in Glasgow the previous day.

The band eased us gently into a 2-hour trip with a light show that matched the music and mood superbly. The band coaxed gorgeous little sounds from their guitars at one moment before unleashing ferocious riffs at others, underpinned by bass grooves, the most amazing sounding drums and keys/synths at times.

Braithwaite was always quick to thank the crowd for coming, highlighting that he knew many had travelled extensively to be there.

New Paths to Helicon was stunning, Remurdered from Rave Tapes was incredible and the aforementioned Mogwai Fear Satan was mind blowing but in truth this was all one remarkable show.

Musically and visually, this was a night to remember.


Setlist; 21st June 2015

1. Yes I Am A Long Way From Home
2. Travel Is Dangerous
3. Friend of the Night
4. Christmas Steps
5. You Don't Know Jesus
6. New Paths to Helicon Pt 1
7. Rano Pano
8. Tracy
9. Remurdered
10. George Square Thatcher Death Party
11. Mexican Grand Prix
12. My Father, My King

ENCORE

1. 2 Rights Make 1 Wrong
2. Mogwai Fear Satan
3. Glasgow Mega-Snake

Mogwai with The Pastels and Remember Remember at the Usher Hall

The usher Hall in Edinburgh is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout 2014 with some special shows. In terms of Scottish independent music, you can't get much more special than last nights triple bill of Mogwai, The Pastels and Remember Remember.

With the rugby on at Murrayfield, Dave kindly offered to drive so we could avoid the last train back with a load of drunken rugby fans. This ensured we were through in time for doors opening and in plenty of time for Remember Remember.

The Usher Hall looked exceptional, a fitting setting for the evening.

Remember Remember were a 6-piece for the evening, lined up across the stage with an impressive array of instruments and effects. Graeme Ronald introduced the band and thanked Mogwai for having them, before announcing they would play some songs from their forthcoming album due for release later this year, on Mogwai's Rock Action Records.

The opening song was beautiful. Bubbling lysergic synths, delicate melodies played out on xylophone and keys before synths, bass and percussion took took the audience on a musical journey into Graeme Ronald's mind.

Ronald's ear for melody and his ability to create beautiful layers and sonic adventures is pretty staggering on record. Watching him almost conduct his band in a live setting with knowing nods and glances is a pleasure to watch. The smile on his face as he let the closing song fall to him playing keys before letting rip on his guitar was fantastic, you could tell he was enjoying being let loose on the Usher Hall sound system.

The venue was pretty full by the time Remember Remember had finished their set, so my wish for a quick visit to the bar before The Pastels came on wasn't quite fulfilled as it was mobbed.

The Pastels were in full flow with the title track of their latest album 'Slow Summits' as we made our way to the front. A 6 minute 30 second guitar surf/psych instrumental, it sounded superb via the Usher Hall sound system, the guitars were sharp and piercing.

The Pastels went one better than Remember Remember and were a 7-piece for the night, sounding superb on a range of songs from throughout their career. 'Check My Heart' was a joyful romp, bright and breezy guitar pop, full of hooks and melodies. 'Summer Rain' was melancholic and beautiful.

Song of the night for me was 'Baby Honey'. If Ronald had visibly displayed his enjoyment of the quality of the sound system on offer then Stephen Pastel did the same; turning his amp up, using a bottle for effects and creating a fantastic sound with duelling guitars. It dates back almost 30-years but just sounds so fresh and vital, raw and packed with urgency.

Mogwai came on to a magnificent reception and didn't waste any time at all in creating widescreen soundscapes in a way that only they can. We moved back from the front to take it in, but also to protect our ears a little. Mogwai are fierce!

'Heard About You Last Night' is the opening song from their fantastic 'Rave Tapes' LP and it opened proceedings here. The band just locked in, all on the same wave length.

The dramatic lighting rigs suspended from the ceiling created a spaceship like feel to the show, Mogwai certainly played like they are from another planet. Braithwaite jerked in time with his playing, another clearly enjoying the sound system

The audience seemed in awe and in adulation. Mogwai inspire a real devotion from fans, displayed in the hall and also through the steady queue at the mercy stall

Mogwai are an incredible live act, quite difficult to describe, you really have to experience it for yourself. The way they take a riff/sound and build on it, they are intense, fierce and inventive.

This was a fantastic 3-band bill in a tremendous setting that bands and fans appreciated.

Rave Tapes by Mogwai

Atmospheric, cinematic, gentle, lulling, powerful, melodic, music to get lost in….introducing Rave Tapes, the latest album by Mogwai.

The superbly titled 'Heard About You Last Night' sets us off on the journey, the band gelling in a manner that not many others can. Mogwai have the ability to keep things restrained, almost reigned in, yet leaving the listener with the knowledge that things could take off at any time.

'Simon Ferocious' is menacing, the band locked in a groove but allowing all kinds of things to develop over the top of it before bringing it all back together.

Mogwai's unique skills are showcased to full effect on 'Remurdered', all murky and sinister synths combining with guitars and beats. At 3-minutes in the band take things off in another direction, close your eyes and enjoy.

'Hexon Bogon' follows and in many ways it stands as the centrepiece of the album. Majestic in force and in flight. I marvel that this is only just over 2 and a half minutes long.

'Repelish' has a brilliant sample of someone talking about Led Zeppelin. The music is intricate and moody, there is always that sense that something is about to happen. Rave Tapes is beautifully produced, it sounds live.

The drumming and rhythm section in 'Deesh' is formidable. Allowing the band to experiment with synths on top.

'Blues Hour' is delicate and beautiful, and contains vocals! It does build, allowing Mogwai to combine the delicate piano riff with crashing drums, guitars and synths/strings.

'No Medicine For Regret' contains possibly my favourite moment on the album, when at 1 minute 50 seconds a beautiful little synth melody appears from nowhere.

Rave Tapes closes with 'The Lord is Out Of Control', vocoder set to stun, it is all kinds of dreamy bliss.

Mogwai continue to take fans and listeners on trips to far flung sonic places that others can only dream of reaching. Mogwai are not setting controls for the heart of the sun, they are looking for dark and unexplored corners with hidden stars. They tend to find them.