Mojo‘s ‘Best New Band of 2018’ returned to Glasgow to thrill locals with a set oozing confidence and panache. I saw them last year at a two-thirds full CCA and here they were playing a venue about 50% bigger and one that had sold out – no less than one of the best indie bands around deserves.
Two of their strengths are the three guitar line-up and that all three guitarists share lead vocals. It also means that they have great harmonies. This with their jangly guitar signature means that they have a fairly distinctive and readily recognisable sound.
As a live act they have also moved on from when I saw them last year. Many of the songs are now far stronger live than they are on record, often with a higher more in your face tempo, and most involve some extra instrumental flourishes. A good example of this is recent single ‘In The Capital’ – having listened to this several times before the gig I liked it, thinking it a solid addition to their catalogue. Live it is transformed into a more muscular, more dynamic beast and was probably my favourite track of the evening.
My favourite RCBF track remains the peerless ‘French Press’ but on the night I probably enjoyed three or four of their other offerings more. There wasn’t a weak song in the set: ‘Julie’s Place’, ‘The Hammer’, ‘Read My Mind’, ‘An Air Conditioned Man’, Talking Straight’ (see sample video below), ‘Mainland’, etc.
This was a night of thrilling indie rock that reminded you that that guitar based music can be electrifying. These Australians are still at the start of their career but have already delivered an great EP, The French Press, and an exciting debut album, Hope Downs, and the future looks bright. Please come back again soon!
