Archive for October, 2007
The greatest Kate
Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
I want to punch her in the face… she’s so pretty. Not my words, but the words of one young girl standing next to me at Monday’s KATE NASH show at Oran Mor in Glasgow (excuse the blatant Alan Partridge paraphrasing in the last sentence).
In fact, the place was chock full of Nash wannabes, all decked out in their vintage dresses and careful fringes. And the spokeswomen for this fickle generation didn’t disappoint.
With the stage decorated in typically girly accessories and mascots, the 20-year-old dispelled any doubts that she is anything other than a very capable musician, a clever lyricist and a natural singer, albeit one with a cockney accent and a keenness for swear words.
Foundations was, of course, easily the best weapon in Nash’s armoury, but some of the more awkward songs from her debut album Made Of Bricks certainly gain a new lease of life when played with a live band who are admirably just as geeky and fresh-faced as their leader.
Despite her burgeoning celebrity status, it was Nash’s ability to keep the show a cosy affair which impressed the most. She bashfully reacted to compliments from the front row, pointed out a fan she recognised from her gig at King Tut’s seven months ago and didn’t freak out when one chap’s blue and white checkered boxers landed on her lap.
Pants? Not one bit.
4 Kate Nash – Stitching Leggings
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Playing with Fire
Monday, October 29th, 2007
The first time I had the privilege of witnessing ARCADE FIRE in concert was at the Glasgow University Union Debating Chamber in 2005 on their first-ever visit to Scotland. It was the best gig I had ever seen.
Incredibly, their next headline shows in the city – two nights of delirious frenzy at the Barrowlands this March – somehow managed to better it… so expectations for last Friday’s return to Glasgow at the SECC were sky-high.
The Canadian band played everything you might expect (except Neon Bible’s title track) with that breathless gusto you almost take for granted until you realise nobody puts as much effort into a performance as Arcade Fire do.
It was inevitable that the larger crowd/venue wouldn’t allow for the same level of mania that made their previous shows an almost spiritual shared experience, but Win Butler did manage one foray into the front row before declaring that it was Arcade Fire’s visit to the Barrowlands that made him want to reinstate Wake Up to their regular setlist again.
Other notable moments saw Win bless himself after playing Antichrist Television Blues, while the 10-strong group also gave pre-Funeral track Headlights Look Like Diamonds a welcome outing, as well as a cover of Violent Femmes’ Kiss Off.
Once again, it was a pleasure to be in the company of greatness.
4 Arcade Fire – Headlights Look Like Diamonds
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National obsession
Friday, October 26th, 2007
Thanks to all our guest contributors over the past three weeks. Your regular hosts are now back, refreshed and revitalised after leaving Scotland in search of some winter sunshine.
There can hardly be a more intimidating job than writing about THE NATIONAL on a music blog since that has probably been done more times than any other band in history.
So what can we tell that hasn’t already been told about the internet’s most-loved? How about some personal correspondence with frontman Matt Berninger…
When one half 
of The Pop Cop tried to find the lyrics of The National b-side Wasp Nest as part of a soppy Valentine’s Day surprise for the other half, he contacted the band for help… and Matt came to the rescue (see left). He’s clearly a romantic.
Since Alligator and Boxer have become two of The Pop Cop’s most favourite albums in existence, it goes without saying that the imminent arrival of the Brooklyn-based group to Scotland has the potential to be the best night of our lives.
4 The National – Wasp Nest
b November 2, ABC, Glasgow
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