This show is criminally under attended for a line up that contains current indie pop torch bearers The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and what many would consider indie pop royalty in The Orchids.
The latter are on first on, and well it’s a privilege to see them – these guys were signed to Sarah Records back in the day – and their music is endearing and adorable in the best possible way.
Front man James Hackett cuts a chilled figure as his settling melancholy songs drift across an enchanted audience no doubt surprised to see then on the bill never mind this early.
The Orchids may well be getting on a bit in looks but they sound as fresh as they did in the late-80s.
Next up is London indie rock four-piece Hatcham Social who has everything it takes to become a successful indie band.
These guys have catchy, fun indie rock tunes, a frontman in Toby Kidd who bares considerable likeness to Maximo Park’s Paul Smith and it would appear friends in the right places.
Indeed their drummer, Toby’s brother Finn, used to be in the Klaxons and The Horrors’ Faris Badwan is a notable friend of the band.
Musically they come across as what you might expect of an indie band born out of Art School, with an array of influences clear from the more popular side of 80s indie pop than tonight’s openers.
Toby carries a calm, confident stance and delivers vocal ranging from a chatty, charismatic delivery reminiscent of Art Brut’s Eddie Argos, although maybe not quite as tongue in cheek, to full on sing-a-long chant a la pretty much any festival headlining pop tinged indie band today.
It’s fun, but like so much music these days lacks that original spark, they don’t really fit on this bill but could easily become bigger than the rest of the line up are or have been.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have been regular visitors to Glasgow since their self-titled debut album soured to critical acclaim back in 2009, but tonight seems a little bit odd.
The show’s not been greatly advertised and they don’t appear to have anything new to promote, regardless when they hit the stage them seem much cleaner and on the ball than they have been in previous outings.
Vocalist/guitarist Kip Berman seems to launch himself at the mic for each delivery and their souring synths combining with 80s leaning indie pop hooks are a delight to witness.
The Pains are a band that are seemingly going from strength to strength with two very strong albums behind them they’re sounding cleaner than ever.
Opening with ‘Heaven’s Gonna Happen Now’ from last year’s Belong they catch the eager crowd on tender hooks as they belt through their joyous pop tracks.
True they are guilty or being too hooked into their influences at points, at points you find yourself singing The Cure’s ‘Just Like Heaven’ in your head.
However, this can be forgiven as they prove again why they’re the biggest band doing what they do right now.
It’s just a shame Scottish transport can’t be forgiven as I have to leave only half way through their set due to poor Sunday train service, well along with set times running behind – but I’ll forgive that as it meant I witnessed The Orchids.
