Live in Edinburgh This Week – 13th April 2008
It’s a jam-packed fucker of a week in Edinburgh this week. On Wednesday there are no less than three gigs that I want to attend, and we even have some sold-out cutting edgeyness to boot – unheard of for the unofficial Least Rock ‘n’ Roll City in the Universe, Including Bath. The Kills and The Courteeners are both playing here this week, but seeing as the latter is sold out and I had no intention of going to see either I am not sure this merits further mention.
Monday 14th April: The Radar Brothers at Cabaret Voltaire.
They’re signed to Chemikal Underground and sound a little bit like early Grandaddy did in their gentler, more reflective moments. Every reason to take a chance and go along.
The Radar Brothers – Hearts of Crows
Wednesday 16th April is where it all gets messy. There are three gigs to attend tonight, much to my frustration:
Hollow Heart Parlour at Henry’s Cellar Bar.
This is a folk night, with the excellently-named My Kappa Roots headlining this week.
Y’All is Fantasy Island, Gasgiant & Rob St. John at the Wee Red Bar.
Euan at Trampoline has put together another brilliant lineup, with Gasgiant (I know nothing, sorry) and very well-regarded indie-popsters Y’All is etc etc.. joining the brilliant hush-folkster Rob St. John for what should be a brilliant night of upcoming tunesmithery.
Y’All is Fantasy Island – With Handclaps
Broken Records Single Launch Party at The Bongo Club.
The fact that this feels like partly my party too perhaps helps explain the culture of liggers and groupies that grows up in the music industry, but a combination of being one of the first to spot these guys, the fact that they did the first Toad Session and of course the fact that a combination of beer and their live show is the reason Song, by Toad Records exists makes this one more personal than most. Congratulations lads, I’m really looking forward to getting irredeemably pickled in celebration.
Wednesday’s Conundrum: Euan at Trampoline and the lads from Broken Records have tried to come to a compromise so people can see everything. The last band at the Wee Red Bar will be over in time for people to high-tail it down to the Bongo Club to catch the Broken Records set and any Broken Records ticket-holders will get a deal on the door at the Wee Red as well. Myself, I have really thought about it and I am going to be at the Bongo Club all night. The reasoning? Well this is a really special night for a group of lads I consider friends, so as much as I would like to catch YiFI and Gasgiant, I will get a chance to see them again, and I saw Rob at Homegame quite recently. So apologies to Euan for not supporting his excellent Trampoline night this time, but it wouldn’t really feel right somehow.
Friday 18th April: The Mystery Jets at The Hive.
I’ve never been to the Hive before, and this gig is just a little pricey, but I’ve been rather enjoying the new Mystery Jets songs, so I might pop along to see what they’re like.
The Mystery Jets – Flakes
Sunday 20th April: The Wave Pictures at Cabaret Voltaire.
Yes, the fucking Wave Pictures! Oh yes, yippee, hooroar! I can’t believe these lads are playing here, but fuck me I’m delighted. Free oral sex for whichever genius booked them – male or female! You have got to get your arses down to this gig in the name of all that is rough, scratchy and faintly out of tune. And to make matters even better, support comes in the form of an acoustic (well, bassless and drumless) set from The Kays Lavelle.
The Wave Pictures – My Kiss
Fucking bollocks – missed one! Before Bart jumps in to humiliate me once more, I should mention that Flying With Penguins and Over The Wall are playing at the Voodoo Rooms on Thursday. What a twit. That’s a full week of giggy goodness for you.
I forgive you matthew.
:-*
Erm, you missed three.
Also Copy Haho and Nacional at This is Music/Henry’s on Saturday. (I know you weren’t bowled over by Copy Haho last time, but I still think they’re one of the best bands in Scotland just now).
Also also the last ever ever ever Tracer Trails show across the road at City Cafe after the Wave Picture show – with Stanley Brinks (ex-Herman Dune and part of the Wave Picture backing band) and Clemence Freschard. (I’m amazed that didn’t come up n conversation on Saturday – or were we all too drunk?)
Also also also, I’ve been meaning to check out Fanattica, who are playing the Jazz Bar on Chambers street on Saturday night, and are a little like Broken Records – only further aligned towards the ‘european folk’ element than indie rock. But since there seems to be a gazillion other gigs this week, will need to give it a miss.
Edinburgh music scene, eh?
So much like the bus service.
You get nothing for ages, then a whole load comes at once.
fanattica are great. less ‘pop’ than broken records i’d say, and with less epic-ness, more of an updated hungarian folk band with indie sensibilities. i once played a totally acoustic gig with them at penicuik arts centre and they were stunning.
p.s. go and see my kappa roots
Bart, it did come up in conversation but I was plastered and forgot. Imagine – me getting drunk and forgetting things – who’d have thought!
You know I think I might have seen Fanattica once before actually, although I couldn’t swear to it. They definitely sound right up my street though.
And as for My Kappa Roots – I know, I know. I’ve been meaning to get to one of his gigs for a while now. Christ my liver will be a dribbling mess by the end of this week.
What a time to be alive.
Erm, yes Bart, thanks. That will be all.
And actually, this all ignores the fact that both The Indelicates and Aidan Moffat are playing Glasgow this week as well. Oh why do I have only one body and two ears, dammit.
Now remember to take a note of the gig start and finishing times, Matthew.
Have you heard the new Wave Pictures song? It’s way better than good…
Love You Like a Madman? No, not yet. The vinyl’s on order and I am being all patient and grown up.
Just a wee update: We (broken records) are going to be doing an instore acoustic set at Avalanche on Tuesday @ 5pm
You could come and get pickled at this too Matthew, would be a good warm up for Wednesday!
Pickled? Me? Goodness gracious, whatever gave you a silly idea like that?
No, it’s called Strange Fruit for David. Marc Riley’s been playing it on his 6 Music show – out at the end of the month…
I just want to say this: I am more excited about this months Trampoline show than any other I’ve ever organised. Why? Well because for the first time ever I have 3 headline acts – it was not easy to consider who should go on first trust me. I want to outline that Y’all Is Fantasy Island got the nod because, in my personal opinion they are the most exciting Scottish band I’ve heard in a long time with the exception of maybe Frightened Rabbit. I think gasgiant are stunningly good at what they do and Rob is one fo the finest Scottish folk songwriters I have heard in a long time so yes, I feel justifiably excited. But this week I am excited for Edinburgh – to have to choose between Broken Records & Chutes, Trampoline or My Kappa Roots – well we’re just spoilt for choice this week and it makes me smile. So if you don’t choose Trampoline on Wednesday I hope you enjoy the show you do choose and realise that Edinburgh’s music scene is buzzing – we just need to unlock that potential. And we will. Yes we will.
Radar Bros were excellent shame there was hardly any bugger there…
Well I had a date with the missus so I really couldn’t come along. But I’ll keep an eye out for them in future. Are you going to write a review?
Last night was amazing.
Managed to watch all of the trampoline show and only missed the first song of Broken Records.
Amazing. When was the last time an ‘Edinburgh’ band packed out the Bongo club?
And then today I see a really nice write up of the meursault show at the voodoo rooms:
http://www.drownedinsound.com/event/view/35339
Is it happening?
Are people starting to twig that there’s more to Edinburgh than a castle and over-priced beer?
Edwyn Collins is an Edinburgh boy and may well sell out the Queen’s Hall, does that count?
Oh and that review is excellent – are you going to tell ‘em or shall I? Billy told me he was going to write something really positive about them, so I’ve been looking forward to this one for ages.
No. That doesn’t count.
Because:
a) Edwyn Collins is not a band.
and
b) The Queen’s Hall is not the Bongo Club.
You fucking pedant.
I’ve already myspazzed Meursault.
Oh yes.
Pedant?
…
Pedant.
pettifogger.
Penis.
plebeian.