Sometimes you just have to have that first pint elsewhere. If you're anything like me, the thought of having your first pint in a plastic tumbler makes you wretch. Thankfully, I didn't forget to leave the pub and make my way to the Classic Grand for some top-notch music from local acts!
So to Steven Gladman. Or rather, Steven and his band. While not being the most outstanding frontman, Steven looked at ease onstage. Though the band did sound a tad rusty, songs such as "Only Fish in the Sea" were, for the most part, enjoyable pop-rock cuts. Indie rock followers are bound to fall for Gladman's innocent pop sensibilities. "Run Away", however, sounded entirely too much like The Cure. The set was brought to a close with "Getting My Way", which gathered pace nicely before bowing out. Steven and his band are well on course to further their development with continued touring over the summer.
And then there was Kevin Young. Bastard son of Neil, you say? Most likely not, but it was a powerful performance from the young songsmith nonetheless. "Sammy" allowed Young to exercise his vocal chords, while "Down and Out" was like something stolen from the Springsteen songbook. "Hang About", on the other hand, was a tongue-in-cheek song of observations that didn't really compliment its predecessors. Kevin Young could be a real mainstay of the Glasgow music scene if tonight's performance was any guide.
Who next but Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers? Tonight saw Sam Evans throw some saxophone into the mix, and it was done to great effect. Songs like "Situations" typify the eerie indie-folk that is delivered so well by the band. And they were in great form tonight. "Tomorrow's Man" begged for lighters to be raised to the roof. "A Fistful of Fivers", on the other hand, saw the band rebounding with energy. With each song the applause seemed to increase. The last song introduced went by the working title of "Twisted Mile". Regardless of its finished title, it was another helping of experimental folk-rock delivered with aplomb - the sign of a good band. The band departed the stage by parading offstage, all the while playing their instruments like Mexican border musicians heading down to Tijuana.
No longer content with plastic tumblers, I revisited the pub until the brain said otherwise. It was time for food. A job well done by all involved.