Splitting up shortly after releasing their final album, Spiderland, in 1991 with a some what minor following, Slint could have easily fell obscurity.
Returning to Glasgow 23 year later, the band, now only in their early 40s, have pulled a full house tonight in The Arches for what is hyped to surely be one of the best shows of the year.
Prior to Slint we are treated to a very interesting set from Dublin based experimental outfit, Girl Band.
A set filled with shouted vocals, sliding guitars and bass, a sound not dissimilar to Glasgow bands who have received great praise in recent years, like Take A Worm For A Walk Week and the recently disbanded Thin Privilege.
With The Arches now filled to bursting, finally taking to the stage, is the band that many members of the crowd assumed they would never get the chance to see.
Slint’s set is performed with nothing short of note for note perfection, with each track sounding as tight as it does on record.
As such a short lived band in, Slint’s discography sits just shy of 90 mins, so the group don’t leave much out of this set.
With the entire track listing of the classic Spiderland album dominating the majority of the set, intertwined with tracks from their Steve Albini produced Tweez EP and bookended by the tracks from their untitled two song EP.
Perhaps the only downfall is the incessant heckles at the band and the consequent abuse shouted at hecklers, despite an odd amount of requests shouted at the band by audience members Slint refrain from performing a rendition of the Leonard Skynard classic ‘Freebird’.
Slint’s performance is an unforgettable experience for so many, an experience that has many leaving the venue wondering if we’ll ever get the chance to witness this great band live again.
Tonight Slint prove why 23 years after releasing their final album, people still show up in the thousands to see them live.
Words: Iain Gillon
