Tonight the scandalously lackadaisical crowd at The Glad Cafe is treated to an assortment of Glasgow’s greatest post ship building export; indie pop.
Far from sickly The Spook School, The Middle Ones and T-Shirt Weather reflect an alternative music scene as diverse and abrasive as ever.
Three different bands from across the UK are united by a love of lo-fi melody and an indie fashion sense.
T-Shirt Weather is at once a blast of sunshine and a storm in a teacup, with a tangle of fuzzy basslines and a dry northern sincerity the Durham trio win over the Glasgow crowd.
Glasgow audiences are notoriously brutal/slash honest; The Middle Ones take on board this risk with a giddy delight and nonchalance as if picking mushrooms in their favourite fairy-tale meadow.
Their giggling infects the audience with hilarity and perhaps the apprehension that it’s all about to go wrong, such fears are obliterated instantaneously as they sing their first note.
There is no need for this band to be this good; they would be worth seeing just as a comedy act, even if they didn’t have great pop songs.
The complex lyrics great storytelling and emotional punch is an unexpected, jaw-dropping treat especially as being produced for the most part by two voices a guitar and an egg shaker.
The Spook School are the loudest of the night, as fitting of the headline act and local heroes.
Opening with a thrashing rendition of ‘Burn Masculinity’, a few brave revelers pogo, but this isn’t one of those nights.
The Spook School are the perfect band to channel your kempt up angst and rebellion, the bantam audience make it a quieter affair.
As well as catchy songs and great onstage banter, The Spook School also are unapologetic with their messages; songs about gender roles and sexuality are evidence that this is a band that believes that music can change things.
In a country where young people are increasingly active in politics bands like The Spook School should be mainstream.
Words: Peter Johnstone
Photos: Paul Etheringon
