Gig Reviews: May 4th

May 4 2008

Live music from across Scotland

THE KOOKS *****

CORN EXCHANGE, EDINBURGH, APRIL 29

For second album Konk the four-piece have moved from strummy indie-pop to a louder, fuller, rockier sound.

First single Always Where I Need To Be is a confident, catchy tune, as is Do You Wanna, which has plenty of dirty riffs and howling vocals reminiscent of Kings of Leon.

Both were well received, although as always, previous hits Naive and She Moves In Her Own Way got the best response.

A storming encore saw singer Luke Pritchard strip to his vest - to deafening shrieks from female fans - for a solo, acoustic rendition of Jackie Big T***, before the band returned for a gale force Stormy Weather. Bruce White

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS *****

FAT SAMS, DUNDEE, APRIL 29

This Rock Against Racism gig was a fun, fastpaced affair. Kicking off with the chirpy I Need A Holiday and current single Heartbeat, the lads raced through their platinum-selling, self-titled No.1 debut album to the delight of fans.

Exuberant frontman Roy Stride cheerfully bounced around the stage when not pounding the piano, especially on hit singles Elvis Ain't Dead and She's So Lovely. Scott Montgomery

TWISTED WHEEL *****

KING TUT'S, GLASGOW, APRIL 28

Opener Big Issue drew comparisons to The Clash and Arctic Monkeys but the band also offer an 80s new wave sound.

Debut single She's a Weapon is powerpacked punk at its finest and the band have every chance of finding success if they continue to produce songs as impressive as it and the closer You Stole the Sun. Tony Gaughan

BILLY BRAGG *****

ABC, GLASGOW, APRIL 27

It was just Bragg and his guitar but there was barely a dull moment thanks to his light-hearted banter, razor-sharp lyrics and clever guitar chops.

The political poet barely touched on his new album Mr Love And Justice during this epic two-hour set but two tracks, Farm Boy and O Freedom, prove he still has plenty to offer.

Levi Stubbs' Tears and Waiting For The Great Leap Forward were outstanding, before A New England sent fans home happy. Tony Gaughan

MOGWAI *****

TRAMWAY, GLASGOW, APRIL 26

The Triptych festival ended with a day-long gig that included sets from RememberRemember, Correcto and indie-folkers Frightened Rabbit.

Miserable Malcolm Middleton played a pareddown, acoustic set that was initially captivating but soon became tired, with songs from his latest album losing their brighter beat.

Local heroes Mogwai stole the show, opening with impressive new track The Precipice before launching into fans' favourites such as the epic Like Herod, Ithica and the beautiful Hunted By A Freak. Andy Robertson

THE RZA *****

LIQUID ROOM, EDINBURGH, APRIL 25

Watching the Wu-Tang Clan main man and his fellow MCs get a bunch of girls on stage, pour vodka over their T-shirts and manhandle them was more embarrassing than funny.

But before things got foolish, the music was excellent. RZA - aka Robert Diggs - is a boundary-breaking artist.

Most of the material was from his Digital Bullet album and tracks such as Domestic Violence are instantly memorable, even if the guns-and-girls themes sometimes seem juvenile. John Kelly

HOTEL CAFE TOUR *****

ORAN MOR, GLASGOW, APRIL 25

Performers from the famous LA venue are on the road with Brit Tom McRae, who kicked things off with his sentimental acoustic songs. Greg Laswell's similar tunes followed but things livened up when Jim Bianco broke into the sleazy I Got A Thing For You. His voice is sweeter than Tom Waits' and gave the set a vital edge.

Brian Wright, Cary Brothers and Catherine Feeny also impressed but it was a surprise performance from Eddi Reader that stood out.

The tour boasts good talent but there are too many sensitive singer-songwriters. Leo Forde

RODDY HART *****

ABC2, GLASGOW, APRIL 25

Loyal fans were so eager to hear every lyric and bit of banter that bouts of over-zealous shushing accompanied practically every number. Flames, The Life And Times Of Joseph Rowe and My Greatest Success were delivered with joy and passion and help Hart stand out among the ever-swelling ranks of singer-songwriters.

Sadly, his newer material is predictable and plodding, so it's unlikely Hart will make the leap from local hero to global star soon. Andy Kerr

SEBADOH *****

CLASSIC GRAND, GLASGOW, APRIL 25

Indie-rock heroes Lou Barlow, Eric Gaffney and Jason Loewenstein are on the road to promote the reissue of 1993 album Bubble And Scrape. Tracks from it - the classic Soul And Fire, Two Years Two Days, and Cliche - show off Barlow's distinctive vocals at their best and contrast brilliantly with the lo-fi punk edge of songs such as Drag Down and closer Gimme Indie Rock.

Proceedings had a jam session feel thanks to the band switching instruments and stopping until a pint was delivered. Andy Robertson

ALPHABEAT *****

THE HIVE, EDINBURGH, APRIL 25

The six-strong Danish band are influenced by great pop acts such as Supertramp, ELO and A-Ha, while singers Anders SG and Stine Bramsen have the look and energy of kids' TV presenters. Their big hit - and the best of a cheery bunch - is the hard-to-dislike Fascination.

A finale of Daft Punk's sublime Digital Love featuring support acts Leon Jean Marie and Frankmusic - was a great end. Dave Pollock