Scotland has unleashed the lion's share of female artists on the world in recent years such as KT Tunstall, Sandi Thom and Amy McDonald to name but a few. If her performance at Glasgow's Oran Mor can be construed as indicative, Maeve O'Boyle is the next in line.
The evening began with an assured set from Tommy Reilly. Though wearing the look of a university student, he performed a set of nonchalant angst-littered pop. Such was the extent of his carefree stance that he was freely telling certain audience members to "shut up". However, he endeared himself to the rest of us with tracks such as "Words on the Floor". What really stood out was Reilly's vocal likeness to Amy Winehouse. The lad himself perhaps might not like this comparison but it can only stand him in good stead.
Alan Cranney and his accomplice, Jo, had a hard act to follow. The duo, on acoustic guitar and keyboard respectively, delivered a set that rather lacked inspiration. Cranney has a voice that would most singer-songwriters would kill for, but it was largely wasted on a set of timid pop-rock songs that thought nothing of tempo variety. It's truly a shame for Cranney, who owns one of the most striking voices in Glasgow, but with this current material, Cranney's soulful voice will continue to blossom unnoticed.
A short break led to the arrival of Maeve O'Boyle and Acute Riot. The band weren't slow to crack into "Romeo", a track as catchy and appropriate as you could want an opener to be. Looking not unlike a young Joan Jett, O'Boyle and her band - with only a few months of experience together - have forged a terrific understanding and energy, and it showed best on "All My Sins", a wonderfully-constructed ballad, with hooks to put Rex Hunt to shame. "Indian Summer" saw a decidedly chilled side to Maeve's music. Maeve has a captivating voice and this above all songs allowed her to say goodnight to her fans.
However, it wouldn't be long before the insistence of the crowd would bring Maeve and her band back to the stage for a farewell song. In keeping with her display this evening, Maeve did not disappoint. The near sell-out crowd truly appreciated Maeve's performance for the night, and their thunderous clapping and cheering was no less than deserved. Maeve O'Boyle is still a young woman, but with performances like this under her belt, I am certain that her rise to superstardom is just a matter of time.