black midi - QMU 9/27/21

Black Midi

Foregoing an opener, apparently because they couldn't organize it after rescheduling from the start of the month, it was just bm bm bm (they did not play the song bmbmbm) from 9pm although they promised the QMU crowd an extended set. Primarily composed of freshers (well, students, at least) it was packed and hot in the venue before the quartet came out on stage to a bit of a prerecorded skit, wearing terrible, dated, old man clothing and sunglasses, while most of them were sporting unfashionable mustaches too. The meaning behind all of this, including a staged fight and card came later on, was lost as the words were mostly lost in the fracas, much like their music itself, in part due to muddy sound. To an unfamiliar ear, black midi could sound like chaos but fortunately there were hundreds of familiar ears all lapping it up as they let loose in the pit. To me the drumming, and the drummer, are the focal point of the live set and, as they had done at End of the Road '19, he was stationed at the end of the line of musicians, facing the rest of the band, rather than the standard tucking of the drummer at the back facing the crowd. He immediately took off his shirt and began bashing away. The bass and electric guitar alternated between the two vocalists - the one with the signature and seemingly faked baritone can still actually sing with it. On one song the other singer played a bashed up, amplified acoustic with the hole mostly duct taped over. They leaned on this year's Cavalcade release but did dip back into Schlagenheim [2019] as well. It was not all bangers which was probably for the best considering how rowdy the crowd was getting but no matter what they were playing they were doing it very well. Not note perfect, they did build around each other and hit their complex math rock time signatures along the way. To this layperson music lover, it was all quite impressive. The trifecta that they closed with was a build, build, build that absolutely nailed all the greatness about a live performance from a band like black midi, culminating with John L. The seated keyboardist and drummer even broke character to exchange a smile during one of the more frantic sequences that had him playing most of the keys with his entire forearm. An encore was not to be, as they left the way they had entered - with a flying kick from the drummer, and a "Go to bed" instruction from the singer. Excellent show.

1. Speedway
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2. 953
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3. Welcome to Hell
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4. Dethroned
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5. Sugar/Tzu
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6. Faster Amaranta
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7. Defence
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8. Near DT, MI
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9. Eat Men, Eat
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10. 27 Q
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11. Hogwash and Balderdash
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12. Slow
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13. Chondromalacia Patella
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14. John L

Dream Nails @ Hug & Pint 9/3/21

Dream Nails

Their first visit to Glasgow and only the beginning of their long-delayed tour (COVID, like everyone else) all four of them seemed genuinely pleased to be here. Introducing their new lead singer, who as I understand took over after the recording of the album and seems to have been chosen more for matching morals than vocals. Either way they picked right up and carried on, tot that they really had a choice considering they only have one record's worth of tracks to choose from. They worked through a well-planned set of it, plus their new track Take Up Space. It did feel a little boxy, although that may be because I caught glimpse of the setlist that even had the "buy our merch" banter pre-choreographed. The drummer did show genuine care when she gave away a pair of sticks to someone in hopes of them learning the kit and starting their own. Anyhow, the music was solid - catchy and what you'd expect. Personal fave was the shout along to D.I.Y. It wasn't a life-altering gig but it was certainly enjoyable. And my first time in the small basement space of the Hug and Pint that definitely had its charms (and lovely food upstairs).

​​Brat Coven
A four-pack young punk band with modern feminine anthems, taking on the patriarchy and state of affairs for women. While some lyrics batted you over the head, others were important and definitely worth repeating - repeating fast and loud and over punk rock. Speaking of fast, the whole thing was over in 15 minutes flat.


Count Florida
A three piece that didn't have very much overly standout about them. Not too fast, not that catchy or specifically interesting lyrics. Could tap your foot along and they seemed to be enjoying themselves so not all was lost.

The Lottery Winners - Castle & Falcon 9/3/2021

Lottery Winners 

They assumed the same four instruments (and genders) in the same stage positions, if we're playing Mastermind, as the openers. The Lottery Winners had obviously already won over the surprisingly mature audience (I was below median age). Their charismatic ringleader and lead singer yucked it up all night long, the faux glory-hog act seeming more realistic by the end.

He did share the limelight when the bassist sang lead on Sunshine, instead of her normal co-backup vocals with Rob, the guitarist, but then the singer pulled all the glory back at the end of the tune by jokingly/seriously reminding us that he wrote it. It was all in good spirit and fun though, and the crowd got into the act shouting out what could have been heckles but we were getting it right back in return. Promising early not to do their sea shanty version of Nickelback’s Rockstar, they played only a couple tunes from this year’s EP, the only album I know by them. It didn’t really matter what they played though since the energy and atmosphere more than made up for a lack of familiarity. People were more than happy to sing and dance along, especially during the forthcoming single for which we “shot a music video” on a cell phone. I was honestly shocked when they introduced Frank Turner to the stage for the song Start Again that they did with him. I was then embarrassed (and a little disappointed) when they revealed that that too was a joke. We, the audience sang Frank’s part instead and it was still great. There was a Coldplay into Robbie Williams singalong (don’t ask) and even an on-stage magic trick that turned out to be a surprise wedding proposal (she said yes). As an encore, all but the drummer returned to sing a round with just guitar; apparently the first song they ever wrote together (in a pub). Finally, the drummer returned for one more and sent the happy crowd buzzing off into their weekend. High marks for entertainment!

Overpass

Overpass took to the stage with the chanting of their mates in the crowd and proceeded to impress friends and strangers alike. The singer was strong throated and reasonably confident for a young band, albeit playing on home turf of Birmingham. As a four-piece, everyone played their part, the female bassist holding it down, the drummer unflashy but solid (both of whom were in suits), and lead guitar being the least noticeable on stage but very skilled at his instrument. Playing their few released songs off the pop, I wondered what else they would have in the tank and it included a Joy Division cover that got everyone singing along and a soon to be released new single. Definitely a feel good set from the band that had noticeable Arctic Monkeys vibe on the vocals, and according to my mate, Phil, Catfish & the Bottlemen otherwise. I'd be happy to catch them opening again soon.