alt-J, Barrowland, Glasgow review - unlikely anthems from the shadows

★★★ ALT-J, BARROWLAND, GLASGOW Unlikely anthems from the shadows

The Leeds band kept their distance during a variable set

Prior to alt-j’s encore getting underway their video wall switched to the Ukrainian flag. “Fuck Putin!” bellowed keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton, to hearty roars of approval, in what was both a brief reminder of the outside world beyond the increasingly humid Barrowland and also a look at the band themselves and their own emotions, which otherwise remained distant during this show.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow review - pop songstress partying like it's 2020

★★★ SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR, ROYAL CONCERT HALL, GLASGOW Pop songstress partying like it's 2020

The singer provided a spin on some feel-good classics

There are few people, especially musicians, who would wish to revisit the spring and summer of 2020 with any fondness, but Sophie Ellis-Bextor might be an exception. Her kitchen discos, in which she and her husband Richard Jones, aided by their children, played a variety of covers became a lockdown source of solace and regular entertainment at a time when it was much needed.

Dream Wife, St Lukes and the Winged Ox, Glasgow review - an exhilarating reminder of live music's power

The trio's dynamic set was filled with communal spirit and great tunes

Rakel Mjöll has a nice line in understatement. “We released this album in July 2020”, she said at one point, referring to her band’s sophomore record “So When You Gonna...” before adding, dryly, “which wasn’t the best time”. Finally, nearly two years later, Dream Wife have managed to get out on the road and actually tour those songs, and, thankfully, this was an evening worth the wait.

White Lies, SWG3, Glasgow review - indie veterans get their groove on

★★★★ WHITE LIES, SWG3, GLASGOW Indie veterans get their groove on 

The three piece have found fresh purpose with their newest album

White Lies began their set as many bands would end it, with a familiar hit ringing out and an explosion of confetti over the crowd. Such a tactic made you wonder if the three-piece would peak too soon here, mirroring the band’s commercial fortunes over a now lengthy career. First came a chart-topping album, then a series of mostly well regarded follow-ups that have slipped down the charts each time. Thankfully, and at times, surprisingly, the opposite was true.

Starsailor, SWG3, Glasgow review - nostalgic comfort to satisfy the faithful

★★★ STARSAILOR, SWG3, GLASGOW Warrington outfit returned to their debut album

Warrington outfit returned to their debut album in unassuming fashion

When Starsailor arrived onstage, they did so to the somewhat odd walk-on music of one of their biggest hits, with a remix of “Good Souls” blaring out and an early sing-a-long underway as a result. Perhaps that was appropriate, as this evening was focused on providing familiar, nostalgic comforts to those in attendance.

Paul Weller, Barrowland, Glasgow review - Modfather holding back father time with old and new tricks

A lengthy set spotlighted the veteran's creativity and stubbornness

There was a brief lapse in this lengthy set when Paul Weller stood up from the piano, walked towards centre stage and then pivoted back the way he came, having realised he was moving a song too early. “That’s the trouble with getting old, you forget shit” observed the 63-year-old drily, but the two hour set itself was a testament to Weller’s continued creativity, if also his stubbornness too.

The Jesus and Mary Chain, Barrowland, Glasgow review - Scottish siblings still the loudest gang in town

The East Kilbride brothers at their most thrilling when blasting out more obscure material

There is unquestionably a more mellow side to the Jesus and Mary Chain these days, even when reviving their most ferocious glories from the past. Prior to launching this two-halved set, comprising their 1987 classic Darklands to begin with and a mixture of singles, B-sides and obscurities for after, vocalist Jim Reid took time out to politely explain the format.

Sports Team, SWG3, Glasgow review - entertaining, but not always original

★★★ SPORTS TEAM, SWG3, GLASGOW Entertaining, but not always original

The six-piece were at their best when their songs were as frantic as possible

It may go against rock n’ roll cliché, but occasionally there is merit to good time keeping for a band. Lucia and the Best Boys saw their support slot in their home town of Glasgow reach an ignominious ending when they were cut off a song early, vocalist Lucia Fairfull’s chat having seen the glam synth pop group go over their allocated slot.

Maximo Park, Saint Luke's and the Winged Ox, Glasgow - indie veterans still have fire in their bellies

★★★★ MAXIMO PARK, SAINT LUKE'S AND THE WINGED OX, GLASGOW A new line-up and album has rejuvenated the artful rockers

A new line-up and album seems to have rejuvenated the artful rockers

Time waits for no band, as Maximo Park’s lively singer Paul Smith opined early into his band’s set. “I am young and I am lost” he declared during "The Coast Is Always Changing"’s jangly guitar-pop, before drily admitting afterwards that he might have to retire those words soon enough.

Album: Dot Allison - Heart-Shaped Scars

★★★★★ DOT ALLISON - HEART-SHAPED SCARS The Scottish singer-songwriter finds herself

28 years on from One Dove, the Scottish singer-songwriter finds herself

Scottish singer-songwriter Dorothy Allison pretty much defines cool. Her band One Dove was the first to snare Andrew Weatherall as producer after his success with Screamadelica, and together they created Morning Dove White: an extraordinary album that fused country and western melancholy with deep dub and electronica.