NME Radar tour King Tuts Glasgow 26th April 2010

Three very different bands! - from dancing upbeat, to charged rock and lastly stylised 80s rock.
First on stage was the very likable Darwin Deez from New York, and he and his dancers were a lot of fun. They literally bounced on stage and then performed the first of several slick dance routines, and very fit they are too! Darwin seemed to smile his way through his set, and he made eye contact often - and at the end of the set he said,'oh you like us!' They were also set up to focus on the edges and middle of the audience and in so doing kept us with them. I got some energetic fun shots of them. After I noticed them mixing and chatting with the audience which I thought lent a good touch and only adding to their popularity - rather than any 'aloofness'. Darwin's music was in the Conor Obrest style. I also spotted Darwin dancing at the front with his very long arms waving loosely during Everything Everything's set!
Next up were 'Everything Everything' - a rock band in red lights. There was a positive energy from this fresh rock band, while their lead singer has a strong voice with the elastic range and punch of a younger Tom Yorke. They had a good crowd of supporters there who seemed to enjoy their set. I was handed their set list so here it is - Intro, Suffragette, Schoolin, Qwerty, Engine Room, Tin, Photoshop, MY KZ, Weights.
We then waited patiently as the stage was set up for the last act another Manchester band called Hurts. Their set had a white backdrop with lights facing the audience - and this was in stark contrast to the reds of Everything Everything with their charged rock music. Hurts were named in a BBC poll of one to watch in 2010. I met Adam earlier when he came out to the bar area, and I said how much I liked their songs that I'd heard on YouTube - and he looked very smart in a red waistcoat. He said he had played at King Tuts before - with their previous band Daggers maybe?

Hurts are a duo with Theo the lead singer and Adam their keyboard player.

Laura Marling Old Fruitmarket 13th April 2010

She seems so young - and she is! She has a soft, clear focus and grip on reality - if mainly through books, her upbringing and her father. She sings a Neil Young song 'Damage Done' taught to her by her father. She speaks of her father's view in Hampshire where she grew up and his wanting to be taken there one last time.

Her new folk songs are of old stories and of England, with something peaceful and dreamlike in her voice. She has a sweet sensitivity, and her eyes are gently expressive. Laura crosses her ankles as if rocking softly on her toes and on her melodies that weave and spin gentle spells. Her lyrics tell of sparkled stories that catch the breath of winds and deep forests. You sense she has read a lot. She stands a bit shyly centre stage with her guitar, and yet while Laura looks demure she starts with her strong and charged single ' Devil Spoke.' She follows with songs from her new album - 'Goodbye England' 'Made By Maid' and 'What he Wrote' - with the lyrics 'He wrote, I'm broke, please send for me, But I'm broken too, and spoken for, do not tempt me.' She also takes the tempo up with songs such as 'Darkness Descends.'

In the City Hall foyer they are selling very classy and artistic Laura merchandise - T shirts and posters.

Fanfarlo ABC Glasgow march 2010

Fanfarolo who suported Mumford - top band. Also a pic here of the audience during Mumford.

Mumford & Sons ABC Glasgow 3rd March 2010

Mumford & Sons, an indie folk band from London, warmed the winter chills as they took to the ABC stage amid red and atmospheric lighting and a cheering sold out venue. They play with soaring keys, pumping banjo, and pristine vocal harmonies. Their lead singer Marcus has dark good looks and a glint in his eye, along with a voice that aches and moves with energetic passions. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (guitar, drums, mandolin), Country Winston ( banjo, dobro), Ben Lovett (keyboards, organ), Ted Dwane (double bass). They formed in late 2007 out of London's folk scene, along with other artists such as Laura Marling, and Noah and the Whale, and they have supported Marling at concerts. Mumford and Lovett met while attending King's College School alongside Noah and the Whale bassist Matt Owens, whilst Marshall attended St Paul's School along with Charlie Fink, lead singer of Noah and the Whale. The band are signed to Island Records and their debut album, Sigh No More, was released in the UK in October 2009, and in February 2010 in the US. The band has achieved success in Australia, and also played live on CBS Late Show with David Letterman.