Gigs

Jun 1 2008

Mail Music Reviews

PUBLIC ENEMY *****

ABC, GLASGOW, MAY 27

Twenty years after its release, the hip hop legends performed classic album It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back in its entirety for the first time.

In between conspiracy theories, anti-war chants and calls of "yeah boyeee", Chuck D and Flavour Flav treated the sell-out crowd to greats such as Don't Believe The Hype and Rebel Without A Pause, their energy and passion for politics as powerful as ever.

Accompanied by samples and scratches from The Bomb Squad and questionable dance moves from the S1Ws, they blasted through the album before breaking into a medley of classics such as Fight The Power. Andy Robertson

AVRIL LAVIGNE *****

CARLING ACADEMY, GLASGOW, MAY 26

The Canadian star opened her UK tour with single Girlfriend backed by four female dancers and a couple of gravity-defying male break-dancers alongside her backing band.

In a surprisingly short set she blazed through her greatest hits including When You're Gone and the smash hit Complicated which the entire venue sang along to with her blessing.

Lavigne only looked out of her depth as she replaced her drummer for a cringeworthy cover version of Toni Basil's Hey Mickey. Encores of Girlfriend and her huge hit Sk8r Boi ended with a deafening roar of approval. Evie Gaughan

ANNETTE PEACOCK *****

TOLBOOTH, STIRLING, MAY 25

In her 40-year career, arty jazz and electro star Peacock has played with greats such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett, while her songs have been recorded by David Bowie, Busta Rhymes and Brian Eno.

This was her first UK show in 20 years so anticipation was high but most folk left wondering what all the fuss was about.

With long washes of dreary 80s synth, an ill-sounding drum machine and her voice often failing to hit the right notes, most of the music was tedious and depressing. Bruce White

AMY MACDONALD *****

CARLING ACADEMY, GLASGOW, MAY 24

Opening with the title track of her No.1 album This Is The Life, the Scot's bouncy rock had the sell-out crowd jumping and screaming in delight.

Macdonald filled out the set with a few covers, including her now obligatory version of a Killers' track. This time it was When You Were Young and her band did a decent job of recreating the synth-heavy sound.

A surprising highlight was a solo version of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark, while decent new material showed she should have a lengthy career ahead. Monty Archibald

THE TING TINGS *****

QMU, GLASGOW, MAY 24

The Salford duo rocked the venue with their electronic pop in this short 45-minute set.

The brilliant Shut Up and Let Me Go were similar to early Blondie thanks to cool staccato guitar riffs although Katie White's shouty, stroppy vocals - tested on the slower Traffic Light - are not a patch on Debbie Harry's.

Their No.1 single - the infectious That's Not My Name - is about lack of identity in the music industry. Whether we remember The Ting Tings in a year remains to be seen. Merle Brown

WE ARE THE PHYSICS *****

KING TUT'S, GLASGOW, MAY 24

The four-piece's boundless energy coupled with singer and bassist Michael M's self-deprecating patter make them compulsive viewing. Sadly, musically only a handful of tracks succeed in making an impact. Fear Of Words, Bulimia Sister, This Is Vanity and final number Less Than Three showed the band's melodic side but only single You Can Do Athletics By The Way sparked a mass singalong. Adam Andrews

GUILLEMOTS *****

BARROWLAND, GLASGOW, MAY 23

The normally energetic band gave a half-hearted performance at times. Singer Fyfe Dangerfield had a sore throat and his solo on We're Here was awful. If The World Ends's dark and sinister undertones also made the crowd's interest waver.

But there were high points, particularly sizzling opener Made Up Love Song and Annie Let's Not Wait. Eclectic instruments - including a treble bass, bin lid and duck whistle - also amused fans, while gorgeous bassist Aristazabal Hawkes injected much-needed glamour.

Sadly, the set didn't get going until the encore, when the band thrilled fans with Trains To Brazil and a dynamic Sao Paulo. A disappointing set from a band capable of more. Sarah Finlay

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT *****

ROYAL CONCERT HALL, GLASGOW, MAY 23

Wainwright looked slightly dishevelled as she strode about in blood-red patent boots. Tough but timid, she exudes an earthy sexuality.

She focused on material from new album I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too. Bleeding All Over You and the poppy You Cheated Me could propel her into the mainstream. Her battered-and-bruised sound was evident in the anti-war Tower Song with lots of angst and wailing vocals. Highlights included a brilliant version of Edith Piaf's Adieu Mon Coeur (Goodbye My Heart) and the gorgeous Dis Quand Reviendras-tu? (When Will You Return?). Avril Cadden

THE STRAWBS *****

THE FERRY, GLASGOW, MAY 23

Early arrivals got to enjoy Dave Cousins leading The Strawbs through a rousing sound check that included a full-on Lay Down and New World.

The main set offered nostalgia in the form of favourites such as Round And Round, Grace Darling and By The Sea and tracks from forthcoming album The Broken-Hearted Bride.

Of these, the title track and The Call To Action could be tomorrow's classics. John Millar

YOUNG REPUBLIC *****

ABC2, GLASGOW, MAY 26

A sparse crowd enjoyed energetic renditions of the clever indie tunes from the band's album 12 Tales From The Winter City. Boasting fiddles, pedal steel and keyboards, songs such as Paper Ship and Girl From The Northern States were intricately arranged. The band also showed off their confidence and capability on a cracking cover of Bob Dylan's Isis. Leo Forde