the Fence Homegame #1

Finally getting round to telling the world about the Fence weekend a few days ago - well, it's not as if I'm actually reviewing it so I can afford to be lax. The 2-day mini-festival in darkest Anstruther (on Fife's East Neuk, geography fans) was being covered by one of itm?'s reporters so I decided to just decamp there for the afternoon and get some accompanying photos.
I'd wondered what kind of turnout they might get but it transpired that the whole thing had sold out really quickly with people from Japan and Scandanavia making the long journey, as well as people like myself taking a couple of hours for the 60 minute drive from central Scotland (note to self: bring a map next time). After parking on the shore, I could hear music amost immediately and followed it until i was magically led to the Erskine Hall, which looked as if it had suspended Sunday School for one weekend only. inside, I discovered that Emily, our reporter, had already been made friends with a couple of people I know who'd spotted her is this music? badge, as well as a nice chap called John who'd journeyed solo from Canterbury. The power of 50pbadges, eh?
Anyway, to the music - I was quickly informed that the previous night's activities had been great with a real family atmosphere - though I'm not sure if the campfire was in the minds of the audience in that wooden hall. Sunday's lineup was more 'eclectic', if that's possible from a Fence gig, but in the sense that instead of just the quiet alt.folk that typifies the label, there were a few guest acts including the blusey The Jose and the punk/grunge of The Supergun, which would have blown awaya few cobwebs (and cleared out a punter or 2). All the acts went down pretty well however, but none more so than those from the label itself. HMS Ginafore - revealed as a solo Anstruther lass - played some lovely acoustic songs in what was a fairly random set, while Pip Dylan similarly was onstage alone for a set punctuated by some extremely impressive guitar work. Highlight for me may have been Lucky Luke - very alt folk (to coin a pigeonhole again) who update Fairport Convention for the new millennium. Also impressive, was/were Willis, an indie Dido, though the sheer professionalism meant a sound perhaps too polished given the contrast between this and Lone Pigeon's set.
Set in darkness he performed a meandering and quite emotional segue of songs, but things started to go awry when he strapped on his guitar... and then changed it, welcomed Pip Dylan onstage for percussion, broke a string, pondered about using the piano, changed guitar 3 more times, got halfway through a couple of songs, and eventually did a really nice tune ('Waterfall'?) on the remaining 5 strings. And then ran out of time. Presumably the conditions of the hall hire forbade going over time - 8pm - so King Creosote's set was curtailed after one song and the promised set by the Collective failed to materialise. Ach well, next year, eh?

aye to Baby Tiger

It occurs to me that the only times I remember to update this blog are after Baby Tiger shows in Edinburgh. Not sure why that should be... anyway, found myself there yet again on Saturday for Won Mississippi in particular. Oddly, singer Martin was weraring a Karate T-shirt, which, when I first saw the band several years ago at a T in the Park heat, kind of heralded a great set for me (you don't expect fans of Karate to be playing T-break shows in Galasheils). So it was a doubly retro moment when they started with Mill Strand (I think) which was the first song they played in those days of yore. At the first gig it was quite a declaration of intent for a heat for what's obstensibly a pop festival, given that it's structured like an end-of-set song with a 5-minute noise-drenched wigout at the end. The only judges at THIS show were a crowd of girls whose hen night had clearly gone off the traditional route. They voted with their feet shortly afterwards, though given that the band had a bet with the sound guy that 2 numbers would indeed see them scarper this wouldn't have been a major issue. 2 more songs from the debut self-released 'Sleeping Spoons' album and 4 brands new ones including the towering 'Special Feature' followed ("that's the single!"), and only one - 'Freehand Circles' - from the 4-K album (one less than Manowar, but "we wouldn't wear lioncloths" they explain).
The Last Great Wilderness's previous show at Backpackers was marred by an exploding amp so I never got to appreciate them fully - and I think I might have detected some slight pubby tendencies. This time however they're back to what you'd expect from ex-members of Annie Christian (in case they've not tired of hearing that by now) - epic rock, but also pretty punk, Larry Lean thrashing the life out of his guitar and careering around the front of the stage. 'All I Need is You' is a song and a half and the rest of the set's not bad either (Fraser, who's doing the sound, tells me that they may have reworked some of the songs. Good move, I say).
Shrinking Violet are a 'college band' which might set alarm bells ringing but I'm advised that variously they're like Muse or Feeder. This may depend on which song was heard by which person at soundcheck, as their opening number is pretty much Green Day / SLF (no bad thing). I only catch 5 or so songs - first was a bit long, second was in a similar vein but punchier and definitely their best, there's a foray into choppy funky rhythms (ill-advised IMO), and then a song which appears to be about gargantuan golfer John Daly, which if memory serves, is quite fun. As ever with new bands from colleges (Jewel and Esk) they are pulling in a hundred directions but this lot sound like they might turn out pretty good if they choose the right one.
That said, they might just rest on their laurels and retire. After all, not many bands get supported by a 4-K Kerrang band so early in their career - not to mention a band consisting of members of what were once Scotland's Next Big Thing...

BBC World Music awards

Well, they say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but I've never believed this, it just depends which restaurants you hang out at.
So I was surprised but quite pleased to receive an invitation from the BBC Radio 3 awards for World Music, held at the Usher Hall las night. Similarly bemused at their appearance on the 'guest list' were various music types more used to an annual freebie to T in the Park (if they're lucky). Could be that the Beeb were keen to ensure a big enthusiastic crowd for the highlights show at the weekend (BBC3 on Friday I believe as well as Radio 3), and this certainly paid off, with artists all praising the crowd which apart from the freeloaders included a large standing contingent in the stalls who were noisy, appreciative and definitely up for a bit of a boogie.
Personally I have little expertise in the subject aside of what I've heard Andy Kershaw play over the years, so happily the ticket was a plus one enabling the missus, a fan of the likes of previous winners the Gotan Project, to attend and grab a free glass of wine.
Anyway, to the music, which is the important bit, surely: highlights included the opening Rioka Traore from Mali whose Bowmboi album, from the 3 songs performed, merges 'typical' African sounds with some very diverse beats and sounds. Belgians Think of One, who had performed some numbers from their van-cum-boat in the Usher Hall forecourt beforehand, lie somewhere between the 'wolrld beats' being celebrated, and Pigbag or 'Fiesta'-era Pogues. Most popular artist of the night would have been Kadim al Sahir from Iraq, who was emotional, to say the least, at the reception from fellow Iraqis as well as Scots in the crowd. Sevara Nazarkhan performed an acoustic set ; I don't know what the 'full' sound is like, but her beautiful voice was showcased perfectly by the minimal backing. Closing the show were the 10-piece Spanish-based collective Ojos de Brujo who mixed multiple drummers, flamenco dancing, rap (kind of), scratching, and some Mediterranean beats mixed with decidedly Eastern favours, including a clearly bonkers frontwoman whose stage presence transcended any language barriers.
So, with more drink, and free t-shirts for all, a good night out. It's made me want to run another Jockrock awards show - it was so remeniscent of thise nights at the Note or Sleazys after all - and also, to dig out my Obaben CD.

most Peculiar

Well, this blogging lark clealy isn't as attractive as they make out. This'll be the first entry in a couple of weeks, so I should grit teeth and rattle through all the exciting goings-on in one. So: have been to Backpackers for a show with the 55s, who boast at least one ex-Kyaha member in their ranks, but whose cowboy tendencies are greater than this suggests. Good show though. Vinnie Peculiar also appeared, singing songs of religion and murder. His album's great, seek it out. Best moment of the night was when Vinnie was faced off by an enormous drunken rugby supporter who was silently insisting that he 'shake hands'. Fortunately V complied rather than take the Yosser Hughes approach to such contact.
Fuck-off Machete - great - great album, good live show at the Subway. (I'm speeding up now...) How to Swim at Stereo - great shambolic live show, with trumpets and flutes and everything, real kitchen sink stuff. Troika - another great set, they should gather together all their songs old and new and release a number one album. Aye, that reminds me - aren't there supposed to be hordes of A&R men hanging aorund Glasgow this month? Bollocks, I say, if they had any nous (unlikely I know) they'd have been at this gig, and signed up all 3 bands on some sort of bulk discount. Because the Flying matchstick Men were headlining (wooh!) and did that kind of lively not-like-the-album kind of electropunk show they deliver so well. There was even an encore, for goodness sake.
Just trying to get through the 100-odd CDs which are requiring review in the next itm? This involves sticking them on and basically skipping through them unless they're interesting, in which case I keep them and review them myself, while the rubbish ones get turned over to the reviewers (who have in many cases requested them anyway. Turin Brakes, anyoine?)
Not much has stood out so far, but a dodgy photocopied cover encases the Radiator Experts, whose 6-track EP is a shambolic ragbag of C86/Mary Chain/TVP half-formed ideas which seem to really work. At the other end of the clapometer is Park, an American (I believe) emo-influenced angsty shower to be sure. At times they really hit home, a kind of ATDI/Jawbreaker blend, which wobbles towards Lost Prophets territory on occasion. But the lyrics - can't really recall specifics, but these boys seriously need to go on 24 hour suicide watch. I blame the parents.