Wednesday 25 March 2015

Catfish and the Bottlemen : Live At the Barrowlands

The Barrowland's isn't a normal venue. Catfish and the Bottlemen aren't a normal band. So a not normal venue plus a not normal band creates one incredible concert.

With a starry painted ceiling and springy , wooden dance floor filled with hundreds of half drunk Glaswegians nearly rioting to the the band's entrance music, it was clear from the start this would be a good night .
The O2 Academy and O2 ABC torture passers by , displaying that nights concert is sold out , reminding them their not going . However the Barrowland's has its own torture technique . There's no sign except the neon Barrowland's sign transitioning from blues and greens to reds, pinks and oranges constantly . There is no let up . No way for an outsider to learn what band is reason for the huge queue of people trailing round the corner and up the next street .

The day's four season weather didn't seem to deter anyone and the threat , once again , of snow didn't stop most people only wearing jeans , shirts and band tops . As the setting sun dipped behind a cloud , the doors opened .

There's something special about this venue . It has an allure like no other place . An ex-dance hall turned into a music venue which has become part of Glasgow's infamous music scene . The internal stairs are adorned in Biffy Clyro lyrics and the stage has been home to some of the worlds biggest acts - Oasis , Muse , the Foo Fighters to name a few. 

This concert for me is special because it brings two of my favourite bands together , once more . In February I saw You Me At Six , All Time Low and Walk The Moon in one night . Last November I watched Southern support Catfish and the Bottlemen which was an amazing show , and last night Catfish and the Bottlemen were supported by the incredible Little Comets .

On a previous tour Little Comets were supported by a little welsh band called Catfish and the Bottlemen , who managed to make people fall in love with them , building both bands fan bases and creating an intertwined family of fans . This tour is the reverse with Little Comets straight off their own UK tour , for their album 'Hope Is Just A State Of Mind' which came out two days after Valentines Day (the 16th of February).

A lot of the crowd had no idea who the Newcastle born indie-elctronic band in front of them were. Spread throughout the hall however there were people, including myself, who sat at the other side of the spectrum, singing every song Little Comets played, whether it be The Gift of Sound, B&B, Dancing Song and even My Boy William which seemed to hit a few heartstrings. Their album I think is just incredible and I really just adore it. Its sweet, poetic, unique, hard hitting and different in a good way. I think their really, really special because they manage to talk about issues that effect so many people in this country and do it in such an incredible way. Its near impossible to learn the lyrics to any of their songs and quickly you'll realise how talented this band really are. The lines,

"I codify: next week there’s a new born tax
Not married so I can’t relax
Honest so I don’t react, yet.
Silence has kissed my back
Licked fickle by the bedroom pact
A rumour never moves with tact, no",

amazingly enough are about politics and they even manage to make politics seem slightly more interesting - for the 3 minuets and 14 seconds the song lasts for.

For anyone who hasn't heard of Little Comets please , please , please go and listen to them . Their amazing guys and an incredible band, whether it be on CD , vinyl or live, it sounds perfect always . Listen to them (there’s a link below) and fall in love , not just with their music but with their lyrics and all they represent .

Then came the main act.

The first few recognisable lines from the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean song, composed by Klaus Badelt, was met by a sold out Barrowland's shouting and poised with cameras in the air to record the moment the band walks on stage.

The red stage lights lit up then the stage became awash with leather jackets , long hair , dark jeans , and guitars , with half empty cups being propelled towards the front . 

From Pacifier through to Rango, Fallout to Cocoon with a crowd roaring 'Fuck it if they talk, Fuck it if they try and get to us', McCann seemed hyper . He seems to bounce back song after song , going into each new one with the energy and enthusiasm he ended the last one with . Its as if he absorbs the crowds energy . Glasgow's the second night of their sold out UK tour , but even if it was the last date McCann would still be the same . Their performance would still be immaculate in their own way where they can make a mistake and have a laugh about it , where they encourage mosh pits and crowd surfing with the security going nuts constantly . Their shows have a festival feeling even if your in a huge hall with a high starry ceiling.

 

McCann's solo acoustic 'Hourglass' was beautiful like always. Heartfelt , meaningful and you see the real Van , who's spent all his life trying to become who he is today. Who he deserves to be .

In every concert McCann makes a point to thank all their fans for buying the album , for letting them become one of the worlds biggest up and coming indie-rock bands . He recalls the first concert the band played in the city  and acknowledges fans have followed them from the start . He emphasises how thankful he is and it its heartfelt . It isn't gloating or only thankful to those who are influential in what the band do next . Its thankfulness . Its a fourteen year old's speech who's worked all his life to try and make it as a musician , who through everything he has done , he has managed to make the big time . Its a moment where he is heartfelt and open , on his own and the bands behalf , where you see how important this is to him and the band . It shows what they really believe in and their gratitude, failing to acknowledge their own incredible talents and work .

Faithfully the band ended on Tyrants and retired behind stage . Hoards of people rushed towards the doors while many go towards the stage to see Larry , McCann's best friend and the bands guitar tech who seems to be adored by every audience the band faces .

There's something special for me with this band . Between the bands work ethic and relationship with their fans , McCann's absolute passion and love for music , their determination , their working class , down-to-earth nature coupled with their incredible talent , McCann's unbelievable song writing ability . Their debut album The Balcony, which was only released in September last year , was a masterpiece in itself , showing off the first glimpse of what this band have to offer , and by the looks of it there's a lot more to come .

This band aren't just some band who've made it big all of a sudden. They've slogged away for seven years , relentlessly touring and promoting , trying to get noticed. They aren't an overnight success story . They weren't born into this lifestyle but they worked until they got it . Their a working class triumph . Front man McCann always seems so humble and its a nice thing to see that there are still bands out there who really do get excited over playing live , who have such a genuine love for the crowd in front of them .

If you ever, ever , ever get the chance to see Catfish and the Bottlemen live please go. Get a ticket and watch them live . Its what they live for and soon their going to be running out of places to sell out.
 

 In my opinion they are beyond incredible .



 
Little Comets Official Site