Gig reviews: April 13th 2008

Apr 13 2008

LLOYD COLE

ORAN MOR, GLASGOW, APRIL 9

Lloyd had spent the day in his hotel room nursing a cold but he seemed happy to be on stage as he played two well-chosen set lists, kicking off with Woman In A Bar and older favourites like Are You Ready To Be Heart broken?, Like Lovers Do, Butterfly, Cut Me Down and a slowed-down Rattlesnakes.

He reminded us he's not making a comeback, saying,"I never went away", and played newer material like The Young Idealist.

Covers included M Ward's What Do You Do With The Pieces Of A Broken Heart, Kris Kristofferson's Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends and Bobby Darin's If I Were A Carpenter.

He left the crowd happy with Undressed and promised himself a hot toddy. Avril Cadden

A BAND CALLED QUINN

CLASSIC GRAND, GLASGOW, APRIL 9

The first date of the club Tromolo tour, hosted by Sir Frank Percy (OBE) and featuring Fairpack Convention and Sir Clive Sainsbury reading poetry from a Lidl catalogue.

Headliners A Band Called Quinn were in unmissable form with singer Louise Quinn carried on to the stage by King Kong. Opening with The Glitter Song from their forthcoming Sun Moon Stars album was a true taste of perfect pop and Bullet For a Friend and Fluff Girl prove that this band are at the pinnacle of their career. Tony Gaughan

THE BREEDERS

ABC, GLASGOW, APRIL 8

The Breeders blew away fears they might have mellowed after 20 years as they opened with Overglazed. Front woman Kim Deal was backed by shuddering guitars, resounding bass and crashing drums. Other songs from new album Mountain Battles impressed, such as the jarring guitars of Bang On and hymn-like country harmonies of Kim and her twin sister Kelley on Here No More.

The biggest cheers were saved for No Aloha, Divine Hammer and indie classic Cannonball in an unpolished performance fans had hoped for. Andy Robertson

THE GUTTER TWINS

ORAN MOR, GLASGOW, APRIL 7

Afghan Whigs' Greg Dulli has dubbed his side project the "Satanic Everley Bros" and his music with former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan is dark, dreary and strangely compelling.

From opener Stations, Lanegan barely looked at the sold-out audience all night and the only three words he uttered were "Mr Greg Dulli". Dulli on the other hand was gobby, showy and rarely in tune.

The set was mainly from new album Saturnalia and highlights were God's Children, Idle Hands and closer Front Street.

Five encores included Hit the City and Methamphetamine Blues. Tony Gaughan

BEN'S BROTHER

KING TUT'S, GLASGOW, APRIL 7

Jamie Hartman - the name is a nod to his older sibling - has written songs for Will Young and Emma Bunton. His polished sound puts him in the James Blunt category, though his girlie audience seemed to enjoy it.

Tracks like Rise, Carry On and single Stuttering (Kiss Me Again) are well-meaning but bland ballads. John Kelly

DEVOTCHKA

KING TUT'S, GLASGOW, APRIL 6

The Denver four-piece are still relatively unknown in the UK but judging by the passionate reception they received, they'll soon be regular visitors. Influences rooted in gypsy, mariachi and folk make DeVotchKa a unique proposition. But singer Nick Urata's spell-binding vocals make them special.

Twenty-six Temptations and Along The Way were early highlights and on How It Ends,emotive lyrics and brooding keys combined to great effect. Andy Kerr

ELBOW

ABC, GLASGOW, APRIL 4

Elbow entered with a trumpet fanfare for their first tour in years and they lived up to it.

The sell-out crowd were not disappointed by a set including new song Grounds For Divorce and past hits such Leaders Of The Free World. The live string section gave an added depth to the classic Red and epic Newborn. On A Day Like This saw Garvey lead fans in a mass sing-along, the singer climbing into the crowd, before the band closed with the fantastic Grace Under Pressure. Bryan Quinn

IDLEWILD

BYBLOS, GLASGOW, APRIL 4

Opening with the frenetic Captain, singer Roddy Woomble and the boys lapped up the attention from the euphoric crowd.

Classics Roseability and No Emotion were played yet so-called album fillers Listen To What You've Got, You've Lost Your Way and Quiet Crown left a lasting impression. Standout was the string-laden You Held The World In Your Arms with its punchy guitars and rousing vocals. Ross McGowan

THE TEENAGERS

KING TUT'S, GLASGOW, APRIL 4

The 80s-influenced Parisian trio's sleaze-pop style has found a home among the ranks of Topshop teens. They have added a female drummer and guitarist since their last visit but they proved little more than eye candy.

Things started promisingly with Scarlett Johansson but barely decipherable vocals and overpowering guitar ruined it. Fans were asked to share vocals on Homecoming but it was just a gimmicky move. Adam Andrews