I dare you not to smile at the sight of a bald man in a vest playing a double bass solo. Go on – I dare you. You’ll fail. The Dirty Beggars are first up tonight and, bassist included, are a straight up bluegrass group. Among their own songs are covers of American standards during which each member takes their turn to show off. It’s a spirited start to the evening and you don’t need the slightest inclination towards the genre to appreciate the enthusiastic set.
So with the crowd smiling and the room filling up attentions shifts to Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers. In terms of sheer live performance I reckon they’re one of the best bands in Glasgow to watch at the moment. A brass section has always been used to punctuate their songs but tonight they are instrumental to everything they do. The result is a sound that seems bigger than the venue can contain. Onstage the band is full of energy but offstage a large section of the audience is even more so. Perhaps primed by the bluegrass, near-jigs are spontaneously breaking out at the front.
Woodenbox have always been a live band rather than an albums band. The songs are of decent quality, but need the live setting to really come to life. That said, in the middle of such an enjoyable set who cares what the records sound like? ‘Draw a Line’ feels twice as fast live and the brass flourishes have become full on brass punches. They leave to a huge ovation from the crowd that is thoroughly deserved.
Getting the line-up right on nights like this is something akin to alchemy. There’s nothing wrong with headliners Treetop Flyers at all. The sturdy set of alt-country songs they play are a really good listen. Unfortunately, the mood of the room peaked at the end of the last set. Many of the crowd has left while those remaining are in a more sedate mood. To their credit, the crowd does bolster by the song.
In a sense Treetop Flyers have what Woodenbox lack. They’re songs are complex and well crafted, imbued with a certain amount of musical finesse. The quality is there, but tonight the immediacy is not. It’s interesting contrast but the more straightforward urgency of Woodenbox wins out the night. The evening was a Communion gig and these nights are becoming ones to look out for in picking out an interesting lineup for the evening. Look them up – just don’t expect double bass solos at every show.
Words: Alistair Mitchell
Photos: Kenny McColl
