Mogwai were
the main event at this concert hall night. The band have recently released
their studio album Rave Tapes to excellent reviews and with the album making
the top ten UK.
I had heard of Scottish indie rockers or
post rock band Mogwai but had never managed to see them live.
It made a
change to see a standing packed concert hall full of a younger crowd. Mogwai played
a wall of blistering power driven guitar and synthesizer rock (or post
rock). The band played a few songs with
vocals but mostly instrumental tracks.
Their music
was heavily atmospheric with driving beats, long walls of sound alleyways,
thunderous bass and strong dynamics - sometimes dark moody
skies, forgotten places. They also took the
tempo up for clearer skies too!.
It appeared that the band were lead by guitarist Stuart Braithwaite who played his guitar with a
deep strength. They played energetic percussion and steady beats. They performed a slower song with only guitar, slow paced drums and hypnotic voice. For their
encore set they added an electric violin.
Their sound reminded me of futuristic
films such as the iconic Blade Runner. They also sounded somewhat like
Icelandic band Sigor Ros who I saw live here a few years back. I went to look
up what 'post rock' is and sure enough Sigor Ros are also post rock!
This was the
loudest gig I've ever been to at the concert hall! I am
certainly not sure the Celtic connections of their music except they are one of
the biggest Scottish bands - so far removed from an acoustic singer songwriter
or those fiddle reels! I was also proud
too of the evening, both of the high quality and diversity of music we have
coming out of Scotland
these days.
RM Hubbert was the support for Mogwai - he was so good I am posting a separate review for him.
Photos and Review Pauline Keightley - http://pkimage.co.uk/