2023 in live music

Jetstream Pony being ace at Mono on Hogamany

2023 continued where 2022 left off with bands and artists playing out of their skin night after night. It's impossible to be nostalgic and trot out the the old "gigs were better in my day" cliches when so many musicians both young and old are continually proving otherwise. Venues like The Glad Cafe and The Old Hairdressers, in particular, hosted an insane number of wonderful acts. Those venues do things right with great sound and wonderful staff who treat people well. More power to their elbows! It would be impossible to pick a favourite show but special mention must be given to Wreckless Eric for being, frankly, inspirational and genuinely moving as he gave it *everything* in both Coatbridge and Glasgow. His latest album is a triumph and, in "Standing Water", features one of the greatest songs of 2023 for Not Unloved's money:

Glas-Goes Pop! was an absolute treat again with The Loft being unbelievably brilliant which, when you consider that the group that isn't a going concern, almost makes you question the laws of physics! Barbara Manning, too, was a revelation playing her songs and those of others (The Verlaines! Richard Thompson! etc.) with real conviction and fire, in the process winning many hearts. On the other hand, Ana Roxanne played one of the year's subtlest gigs. It was also one of the most soul-nourishing with an incredibly respectful audience remaining almost completely silent during the quiet, fragile songs. It was a real joy to witness Linda Smith and Nancy Andrews play songs from their magnificent "A Passing Cloud" record up close and The Declining Winter's emotional heft cemented their place as one of 2023's most compelling groups. Oh, and it was a real thrill to witness the Glasgow audience turn out in great numbers to witness The Clientele's long overdue return. 2023 really was quite a year for live music.

31/12 Norman Blake / Jetstream Pony / Homework @ Mono
21/12 Civilistjavel @ The Old Hairdressers
20/12 Richard Youngs playing "Advent" in full @ The Old Hairdressers
17/12 Current Affairs (last ever gig) / Dancer @ Mono
07/12 Linda Smith & Nancy Andrews / GNAC @ The Glad Cafe

24/11 The Declining Winter / Epic 45  / GNAC @ The Old Hairdressers
19/11 Tara Clerkin Trio / Chizu @ The Glad Cafe
18/11 Kirk Barley / Semay Wu @ The Old Hairdresser's
15/11 YL Hooi / Silzedrek / Noble Leisure @ The Glad Cafe
14/11 Wreckless Eric / Iain Shaw @ The Rum Shack
13/11 Colleen Green / Hound / Clay Rings @ Stereo
12/11 Wreckless Eric @ The Georgian Hotel (Coatbridge)
10/11 Dali Muru and The Polyphonic Swarm / Susannah Stark @ The Glad Cafe
09/11 Bills Wells aka The Sensory Illusions @ The Glad Cafe
06/11 Snooper / Hotline TNT @ The Hug and Pint
03/11 The Clientele / Nightshift @ Stereo
02/11 Richard Youngs / Raymond MacDonald @ The Old Hairdressers
01/11 Chris Stamey / Warren McIntyre @ The Glad Cafe
27/10 Jim Ghedi & Toby Hay @ Gulliver's (Manchester)
25/10 Kid Congo and The Pink Monkeybirds / Louise McVey and Cracks In The Concrete @ Room 2
21/10 Amelia & Rob (house gig)
12/10 The Telescopes / no support @ Nice'n'Sleazy
10/10 Blues Lawyer / Dancer / Maz & The Phantazms @ The Glad Cafe
08/10 The Popguns / Homework @ The Hug & Pint
07/10 The Make-up / Lung Leg @ Room 2
05/10 Sir Richard Bishop / The Sound Priestess / Burnt Paw @ St. Vincent's Church (Edinburgh)
03/10 En Attendant Ana / Nightshift @ Broadcast
30/09 Russell Haswell / Hyppia / Cru Servers @ The Old Hairdressers
29/09 Robert Henke (Monolake) @ Tramway (as part of Sonica)
28/09 Trees Speak @ Broadcast
16/09 System Exclusive / Brenda / Dancer (missed 'em) @ The Old Hairdressers
15/09 Free Love / R.Aggs / Isa Gordon @ The Rum Shack
14/09 The Vaselines / The Cords @ Mono
10/09 The Bevis Frond / Dragged Up @ The Old Hairdressers
09/09 The Yummy Fur / Es / Memorabilia etc. @ The Old Hairdressers
05/09 Damon (actually Richard!) & Naomi / Richard Youngs @ The Glad Cafe
02/09 Matana Roberts / T.R.I.P. @ The Old Hairdressers
30/08 AttackRelease night (Everyday Dust / Dohnavur / Faex Optim / Mike E Smith) @ Bloc
27/08 Nightshift / Lawsuit / Radio Banter @ The Old Hairdressers

26/08 Dragged Up @ Some Great Reward Records
21/08 Escape-ism @ Broadcast
20/08 Kubler-Ross / Body Maintenance / Memorabilia @ The Old Hairdressers
17/08 Alasdair Roberts @ Bru
11/08 Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band @ Summerhall (Edinburgh)
09/09 Rebecca Gates (Manidiscimmia) / Daphne X / Ybalferran @ The Old Hairdressers
08/08 Sacred Paws @ George Square (UCI Cycling World Championships)
05/08 Dancer / Small Gauge / Essen @ Stereo (missed Essen, unfortunately)
03/08 The Miki Berenyi Trio @ Mono
30/07 Barbara Manning / Gerard Love @ The Glad Cafe
28/07->29/07 Glas-Goes Pop! @ GUU Debating Chamber
27/07 The Glands of External Secretion feat. Barbara Manning / Puppet Midnight / Lovely Honkey @ The Fruitmarket Gallery (Edinburgh)
22/07 The Thurston Moore Group / R.Aggs @ Mono
21/07 The National Jazz Trio of Scotland @ The Glad Cafe
20/07 Powerplant / Current Affairs / Gamma / Memorabilia / Kute @ Stereo
17/07 Kate Clover / In The Plughole @ The Flying Duck
28/06 Laura Cantrell / Doug Levitt @ St. Luke's
25/06 Tashi Dorji @ The Glad Cafe
25/06 The Boo Radleys @ The Hug and Pint
25/06 The Go Steady @ McChuills
22/06 Ribbon Stage / R.Aggs @ The Glad Cafe
17/06 Andrew Wasylyk / Siobahn Wilson / Loris S Sarid @ Futtle (St Monan's, Fife)
15/06 Adela Mede / Dialect / Man Rei @ The Glad Cafe
11/06 The Chills / Rats On Rafts @ Mono
09/06 Mun Sing / L / Susannah Stark @ The Flying Duck
03/06 Flasher / Nightshift / The Pink Pound @ Mono
02/06 Delphine Dora + Sophie Cooper / Pefkin @ The Glad Cafe
31/05 Pram / Pearling @ The Old Hairdressers
22/05 Loop @ Room 2
20/05 The Primitives @ Broadcast
19/05 Heavenly / Panic Pocket @ Bush Hall (London)
18/05 Soundlab @ Iklectik (London)
16/05 Sylvie / Anna St. Louis @ Broadcast
05/05 Barrence Whitfield and The Savages @ The Rum Shack
29/04 Cindy / J Mahon / Simone Antigone @ Mono
28/04 David Jaycock / AliShaSha @ The Glad Cafe
23/04 Death and Vanilla / RVG / Modern Studies @ The Hug and Pint
22/04 Dancer / L / The Bluebells @ Mono
20/04 Shonen Knife / Run Into The Night @ Summerhall (Edinburgh)
15/04 Mary Lattimore / Instruction Manual @ The Glad Cafe
07/04 Milky Wimpshake / Count Florida @ The Glad Cafe
06/04 Nina Nastassia @ Broadcast
03/04 The Courettes / The Three'n'Eights @ Nice'n'Sleazy
31/03 Adam Matschulat / Mark Vernon @ The Old Hairdressers
30/03 So Sner (feat. Stefan Schneider of To Rococo Rot)  / Miki Yui / Ailie Ormston @ The Glad Cafe
26/03 Ana Roxanne / Chantal Michelle @ The Glad Cafe
25/03 The Thanes / The Screamin' Kick / The Pharisees @ The Old Hairdressers
24/03 Gina Brich @ The Hug and Pint
23/03 GNAC/ The Orchids @ The Glad Cafe
18/03 The Go! Team / Baba Ali @ SWG3
16/03 The Serfs / Memorabilia / Kute @ The Old Hairdressers
11/03 The Dream Syndicate / The Rain Parade @ Hug and Pint
09/03 Coby Sey / Cru Servers / Comfort @ Stereo
04/03 Free Love @ Hug and Pint
01/03 Robyn Hitchcock / Jessica Morgan @ Mono
19/02 Ex Void / Headcleaner @ The Old Hairdressers
17/02 Dry Cleaning / Dehd/ Thus Love @ Barrowland
11/02 Marina Allen / Kacey Johannsing @ Hug and Pint
10/02 Lande Hekt / R.Aggs @ Hug and Pint
29/01 Tongue Depressor / Pefkin / Dome Riders @ Old Hairdos
23/01 Peel Dream Magazine/ Wild Cabin / Loris S Sarid @ Broadcast
21/01 The Cool Greenhouse/ Water Machine / Former Champ @ Stereo
19/01 12th Isle presents: Ronald Langestraat / Devon Rexi / Nicolini @ Old Hairdos
05/01 Florist / Carsick Charlie @ Mono

Mix for Linda Smith & Nancy Andrews / GNAC show at The Glad Cafe

Last night's Linda Smith and Nancy Andrews set at The Glad Cafe was utterly charming from first note to last. The "Gorgeous Weather"  7" (Harriet Records, 1990) was one of the first records Not Unloved bought by Linda Smith. Unfortunately, the Glasgow weather was anything but gorgeous last night with the rain lashing down in a wholly unacceptable manner beforehand. That was forgotten, however, when the music started. GNAC served up half a dozen elegant instrumentals enhanced by compelling visuals while Linda and Nancy were a gentle joy; a much-needed escape from the work stress and the 24 hour news barrage. Note to self: read more poetry.

There was another Not Unloved mix for the occasion which can be streamed here. 

1.  Maxine Funke - Call On You
2.  Rose Melberg - Take Some Time
3.  The Cannanes - Lamington Lane
4.  Dear Nora - Ghost In My Head
5.  Cheri Knight - Prime Numbers
6.  Karen Marks - Cold Cafe
7.  Trembling Blue Stars - Frosting
8.  The Durutti Column - Messidor
9.  All Girl Summer Fun Band - The Only Ones
10. Dumb Things - Crash Barrier
11. Siouxsie and The Banshees - Spellbound
12. Rodriguez - You Can't Get Away
13. Tangled Shoelaces - The Biggest Movie Ever Made
14. David Kilgour and The Heavys Eights - Christopher Columbus
15. Nikki Blu - (Whoa Whoa) I Love Him So
16. Juniper - Dawn Stole My Guy
17. The Daughters of Eve - Help Me Boy
18. The Monochrome Set - Jet Set Junta
19. The Siddeleys - Bedlam on the Mezzanine
20. Stereo Total - I Love ONO
21. Robin Saville - An Outdoor Planetarium And...
22. Minimum Chips - Goodbye
23. Summer Snow - Flying on the Ground is Wrong

Linda Smith & Nancy Andrews in Scotland (and England)!

Linda Smith's "Till Another Time: 1988-1996" (Captured Tracks) lp was one of Not Unloved's favourite records of 2021. At that point, it didn't seem likely that Linda would be travelling from her Baltimore home to play in the UK anytime soon but roll on a couple of years and Linda is, indeed, playing some UK dates. It is Not Unloved's good fortune to be based in Glasgow and, happily, she is scheduled to appear at The Glad Cafe on Thursday, December  7th. She will be joined by old friend and former Pinky bandmate, Nancy Andrews. The pair will surely be playing the bulk of their tremendous recent "A Passing Cloud" collaboration which saw a vinyl release on Simon Joyner's astutely curated Grapefruit:

"A Passing Cloud" comes highly recommended to anyone with a penchant for atmospheric, slightly eccentric homespun guitar pop and ranks highly on Not Unloved's list of favourite lps of 2023. In addition to playing The Glad Cafe, the duo is stopping-off in the East Neuk of Fife (aka The Promised Land!) at Futtle Organic Brewery on Tuesday, December 5th. Futtle is a really interesting space which combines a small record shop with the brewery. Earlier this year it played host to Andrew Wasylyk, Loris S Sarid and more at the Spots On My Apples (named for a Joni Mitchell lyric, I hear) festival.

Anyone within striking distance is advised to make the effort to see Linda and Nancy on either date as this could be your only chance to see them in the Scotland, well...ever!

Some highlights from Linda's career:

Sundazed-affiliated label Dot Matrix just released a compilation of Linda's early group The Woods:

Harriet was/is once more a smashing imprint!

Let's not forget that Linda released an early 7" on the mighty Slumberland Records

N.B. How is this 7" still available? I urge you to buy it now!

This 2021 lp of instrumentals is a total joy!

Folks south of the border can catch Linda and Nancy along with the admirably cranky Russell Walker (of The Pheromoans, The Lloyd Pack etc.!) and poly-rhythmic pounders Rattle at Upset The Rhythm's 20th Birthday Party at the wonderful Cafe Oto in Dalston on Sunday, December 9th. Full details here. Maybe Not Unloved should make a rare foray south for such an auspicious occasion!

In summary:

Tuesday, 5th December @ Futtle (St. Monan's, Fife) - tickets here

Thursday, 7th December @ The Glad Cafe (Glasgow) - tickets here

Sunday, 9th December @ Cafe Oto (Dalston, London) - tickets here

The Declining Winter / Epic45 / GNAC @ The Old Hairdresser's, 24th November 2023

Back in the spring of 2020, The Declining Winter was scheduled to play at Glasgow's The Old Hairdresser's. Stuart Braithwaite of the mighty Mogwai had agreed to play, too. Unfortunately, it was one of the first shows to be cancelled due to the C***-19 pandemic. Roll forward to November, 2023 and The Declining Winter is finally hitting the road (full tour dates, below!) and, happily, they're stopping-off in Glasgow on Friday, 24th. The bill has been put together with great care with like-minded souls GNAC and Epic45 also due to play:

 

Hood was unquestionably one of the great British groups of the 1990s/early 2000s which released essential records on seminal labels such as Slumberland and Domino. The Declining Winter is the most recent creative outlet for that group's Richard Adams so it's no surprise that their catalogue is a formidable one. 2023's "Really Early, Really Late" (Home Assembly/Rusted Rail), in particular, is a stunning piece of work from start to end and stands up there with the best records Not Unloved has heard in 2023 or, ever, really. In "How To Be Disiullusioned", Adams has crafted one of the most moving, beautiful pieces of music in years that somehow, despite being 10 minutes long, manages to leave you wanting more. If they play it on the 24th, Not Unloved will most likely expire then and there!

 

Over the last couple of decades, Epic45 has amassed a sizable catalogue of gentle, elegant music, sometimes with hushed vocals and sometimes instrumental, informed by minimalism, ambient music and the quieter ends of indiepop and postrock. If most recent album, "Spring" (Wayside & Woodland Recordings), is any guide, their set will be a balm for the soul in these turbulent times:

GNAC (pronounced like the second half of the word 'cognac', I hear) is the pseudonym of Mark Tranmer formerly of The Montgolfier Brothers (the best band Alan McGee signed after Creation Records, according to the venerable Not Unloved) and Sarah Records group St. Christopher. GNAC's lambent instrumental music and sumptuous visuals are always a treat to experience up close. 

Tickets are available >> here *

* as of 12/11/2023, however, there are only 9 tickets remaining so if you fancy it, you better get on it!

Barbara Manning & Gerard Love @ The Glad Cafe poster & tickets!

Tickets >> here

Glas-Goes Pop! 2023: another indiepop happening

2022's inaugural Glas-Goes Pop! was a real blast brimming with bands operating at the top of their games e.g. The June Brides (holy smokes - if that was, as claimed on the night, their last ever show, what a way to bow out!). At the time it felt like it would most likely be a one-off so it was a genuine thrill when it was announced a little while ago that there would, in fact, be a 2023 edition this July (28th/29th). As with last year's shebang, the line-up is great with big names like Go-Betweens legend Robert Forster and Belle & Sebastian's Stevie Jackson sharing billing with Sarah Records greats Even As We Speak (they were so great at The Old Hairdressers 5 years ago!) and, excitingly, The Luxembourg Signal. With members of The Luxembourg Signal calling San Diego and Los Angeles home, I'd consigned them fairly and squarely to the Bands I'll Never See Play Live In Glasgow file so it was a real joy when their name was announced. I'm doing some heavy duty Noel Edmonds-style cosmic ordering to ensure that they play this moody masterpiece:

The full line-up so far is:

Robert Forster
Stevie Jackson and Friends
BMX Bandits
Even As We Speak
The Luxembourg Signal
Birdie
Jeanines
U.S. Highball
McCookerybook & Rotifer
The BV's

Roll on July! Get the full scoop by following the links below:

 > Facebook

> Twitter

> Instagram

> Tickets 

2022 in live music

(Laetita from Stereolab @ SWG3)

2022 was an incredible year for live music in Glasgow. So many of the acts that Not Unloved saw were absolutely at the top of their game. Some of the venues, too, had used the enforced time off due to the pandemic to make repairs/spruce up their spaces which enhanced things no end. Being a disorganized soul (also, I've never liked booking tickets 6 months in advance or being manipulated into being part of the 10am scramble for tickets), I didn't get it together to go to 'big' gigs by the likes of Pavement etc. so it was mainly smaller groups in smaller venues that I saw excelling night after night. The aforementioned disorganization meant that I didn't keep a list of what I saw but, from memory, it was something like this (N.B. most recent first):

NewDad / Cloth @ King Tut's

flinch. and pals @ The 13th Note

Plaid @ CCA

The Vaselines / Poster Paints @ CCA

Lung Leg (matinee show) @ Mono

Lung Leg / Bis @ Classic Grand

Gerard Love / Water Machine / Apostille (Monorail's 20th birthday) @ Mono

Dragged Up / Count Florida / Blue Kanues @ The 13th Note

Stereolab / Nina Savary @  SWG3

Ganger / J Mellis Hairweave / Subliminal Girls / Lugworm (The Inner Circle book launch) @ Mono

Tara Clerkin Trio / Noise Pocket @ The Glad Cafe

Lewsberg / Dragged Up @ Nice'n'Sleazy

Fake Fruit / Wild Cabin @ Broadcast

Francis Plagne / Warm Currency @ The Old Hairdresser's

Romero / Sister Madds @ Broadcast

Whitney K / Flew The Arrow @ Audio

The Lemonheads / Bass Drum of Death @ QMU (Glasgow University)

Special Interest / Container @ Stereo

Myriam Gendron / Quinie @ Broadcast

Chickfactor 30 (Birdie / The Umbrellas / Seablite / Artsick / Rachel Love / The Catenary Wires / Marlody / Sacred Paws) @ The Lexington & The Betsey Trotwood (London)

Prolapse / Comfort @ Mono

Artsick / Blue Kanues / Water Machine @ Stereo

The Umbrellas / Seablite / Paul's Martial Arts @ Mono

The Hanging Stars / Gerry Love & band @ Stereo

Romeo Poirier / Dip Friso @ The Glad Cafe

Lou Barlow (acoustic) @ Nice'n'Sleazy

Stuart Moxham / Pocket Knife @ Mono

Pan American / Kinbrae @ The Glad Cafe

Marissa Anderson / William Tyler @ The Glad Cafe

The Orchids / GNAC @ The Glad Cafe

Sapphire Slows / Dip Friso @ The Glad Cafe

Dali Muru and The Polyphonic Swarm / Susannah Stark @ The Glad Cafe

Ducks Ltd @ Broadcast

Gaming @ The Rum Shack

YL Hooi / Silzederek / An Gleann Dubh @ The Old Hairdresser's

Rose City Band / Japanese Television @ Broadcast

Swell Maps / The Thanes @ CCA

Glas-goes Pop! (The June Brides/Pete Astor/The Catenary Wires/Swansea Sound/Papernut Cambridge/The Orchids/Rachel Love/Jetstream Pony/Mozart Estate/Close Lobsters/David Christian & pals/Davey Woodward & The Winter Orphans + DJs) @ Glasgow University Union Debating Chamber

Oliver Coates @ Civic House

Dean Wareham / Ryder the Eagle @ The Liquid Room (Edinburgh)

Squarepusher / Konx-om Pax @ The Leith Theatre (Edinburgh)

The Bohman Brothers / Lori Goldston @ The Old Hairdresser's

Cucina Povera / Mark Vernon / Otherworld @ The Old Hairdresser's

Perila (deep listening) @ The Old Hairdresser's

Young Guv / The Wife Guys of Reddit @ The Rum Shack

CS + Kreme / Joanne Robertson @ The Old Hairdresser's

Green Door Studios birthday w/ Alliyah Enyo / Jacob Yates and The Pearly Gate Lock-pickers / Pleasure Pool @ The Old Hairdresser's

Margo Cilker @ The Poetry Club

Spiritualized @ SWG3

Ashley Paul / Max Syedtollan @ The Glad Cafe

The Stroppies / Dinner Night / Yung KP @ The Hug & Pint

Erasers / EO / Karl D'Silva @ The Glad Cafe

Jon Spencer & The HITmakers @ Broadcast

The Shivas / Las Acuarelas / Water Machine @ The Flying Duck

Tirzah / Still House Plants @ SWG3

The Bevis Frond / Gerry Love @ Stereo

flinch. / Frances McKee @ The Glad Cafe

Molly Nilsson / Apostille @ Stereo

US Highball / Lloyd's House / Joyce Delaney @ Mono

Lemon Drink / flinch. / Sacred Noise / Miss the Occupier @ The Hug & Pint

Kit Sebastian @ Broadcast

Kim Gordon @ Classic Grand

Hiro Kone / Hyppia / Grim Lusk @ Stereo

Melenas / US Highball / Las Acuarelas @ The Flying Duck

The Cool Greenhouse / Bikini Body @ The Flying Duck

Okkyung Lee + 3 @ The Old Hairdresser's

Molly Linen / Clementine March  @ The Old Hairdresser's

Nika Son  @ The Old Hairdresser's

Good Sad Happy Bad / Tara Clerkin Trio / Comfort @ Broadcast

Special mentions must go to Young Guv for being unspeakably great and delivering banger after banger to an increasingly excited crowd, Alliyah Enyo for delivering something more akin to a religious experience than a gig and the sound of San Francisco (The Umbrellas, Seablite and Artsick) for pitching up in Glasgow (thanks in no small part to Chickfactor 30 enticing them over - cheers, Gail!) and being all that ever mattered. Here's to more of the same in 2023!

P.S. It was a genuine and unexpected thrill to witness Birdie singing this tender 60s teen gem at Chickfactor 30: