The Music / The Officers

As I made my way to the Queen Margaret Union for what I had hoped would be one of the best gigs this year, I instantly regretted the over indulgence of the previous night. I had been at a wedding and needless to say, I was feeling more than a little delicate. Could even a band as energetic as The Music help raise my spirits? I very much doubted it, despite hearing great things about their recent comeback shows.

First to take the stage were the support act, a band called The Officers who had supported when The Music played here just last month. The quintet from Leeds are very much electro rock and played their way through some dirty tunes, much to the pleasure of the small, but attentive crowd. Singer Matt Southall has an air of Marilyn Manson in his vocals and the end product is like a cross between Manson and Daft Punk with just a little touch of The Bravery. It works. Single ‘All Lit Up’ is available to download on their page and it is worth checking out.



As we awaited the arrival of The Music I decided to move up to the balcony for a better view, and less moshing! My delicate state could not endure the massive onslaught of eager fans as they thrashed their way to the stage in anticipation. The picture as the band swaggered on was amazing. The crowd went wild. I had always wondered what it must look like from above as a rain of beer crashes to your head, and now I knew! It looked, well, pretty good. Good since it was happening below and I was a mere bystander, dry and happy.

'Take The Long Road And Walk It' was the opener and the fans welcomed it with surging, screaming and dancing. Suddenly my mood began to lighten, and the heavy burden of last night lifted. These guys are still good. Not often can my hangover be lifted by anything other than a nice lemonade shandy!

The Music have played here 3 times in recent months and after their disappearance following the release of second album 'Welcome To The North' back in 2005 it is clear they have been missed, with all shows, increasing in size, selling out and proving just how much. They rattled through the set and Rob Harvey's dancing was as entertaining as the songs themselves. The moves are legendary and this has got to be one of the best hangover cures ever!



Adam Nutter and Stuart Coleman on guitar and bass flanked Harvey who danced wildly around the stage. Who can blame the punters for going a tad mental, with this band, they encourage it. Phil Jordan battered away at the drums through all their best songs including 'Freedom Fighters' and 'The Truth Is No Words'. It was evident from the beginning that these guys love what they are doing, and we in turn, love watching them do it. They rock, literally. Their ability to dazzle with fervent rock riffs steeped in dance still astounds now as much as it did back in 2002 when their debut album hit us all like a ten ton truck.

Latest offering 'Strength In Numbers', from forthcoming album of the same name cemented the fact that these Leeds lads were back, and back in style. 'Drugs' is another sure hit from the long awaited album and although dark and brooding they bring it to life on stage with buoyant animation.

Closer for the evening was, one of my personal favourites, 'Bleed From Within'. The whole venue erupted in an explosion of unadulterated adoration. These are hardy fans, patient and grateful, and the band revel in the screams and waves of the people who have kept them going, and welcomed them out of oblivion.



The fast paced gig ended mush sooner than I would have hoped. Anyone who follows The Music know they don't do encores. More's the pity since I could have listened to them all night. We are always left pining for more and on my last trip to see them, in Stirling Albert Halls in 2005 I felt the exact same. On the whole, I wasn't disappointed then, and I am certainly not disappointed now.

With hangover gone I left the venue on a high and now look forward to July when the boys head back to grace Glasgow once more with another gig, and no doubt a sell out show in yet a bigger venue, where there die hard fans will once again dance like no ones watching, sing like the one who stands alongside can’t hear and swagger like Harvey wannabe's. I cannot wait.

Set List
Take The Long Road And Walk It
The Spike
Freedom Fighters
Jag Tune
Fire
The Truth Is No Words
Get Through It
Human
Strength In Numbers
Welcome To The North
Drugs
The People
No Weapon
Getaway
Bleed From Within

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.