A review of Wednesday night, the Fifth of June, at goNORTH 2013, featuring Red Ronson, Cleavers, Galoshins, Forest Fires, Velveteen Saints,Allie Bradley, The Boy Who Trapped the Sun, Saint Max and the Fanatics, Donald MacDonald and the Islands, Woodenbox and Fat Goth.
Kicking off the evening at Hootananny, with one of the local acts Red Ronson. Hitting the stage with their homemade T-shirts, hats, tote bags, and CD’s, the Inverness four piece went all out on their promotion for this creative industry festival. With their combination of guitars, glockenspiel and ukulele, backed up by some solid rock-beat drums, along with at points 4 way vocals, this was the best I had seen out of them at a show.
As they intercepted their set of pop songs with a slower ballad, “Kiss me now or miss me, it’s your choice.” A couple took each others hands in a dance at the front, a very apt suggestion of the friendly atmosphere they had created. Another of their lighter tracks “Still A Princess” is set to appear on the hit television show Come Dine With Me next week. They concluded their set with their next due single, and their first single, out now titled “Paper Statues” with the lyrics “Lets go, we’re done fucking around.” being chanted back at them by much of the audience, in a near full capacity Hoots.
Next on my list to see were Cleavers. I arrived at the Ironworks to see one of the fullest crowds I had seen at the Ironworks during the goNORTH showcases, and a very appropriate venue for Cleavers. All you need to know about their set is FIRE. FIRE ON THEIR GUITARS… THEY SET THEIR GUITARS ON FIRE. Well, the end of them anyway. If you haven’t seen Cleavers before, they’re a 3 piece from up north (or Elgin), with heavy punk rock influences and so much energy energy, you could use them to kick start a war-tank. If you haven’t seen them before, then why not?!
After the set from Cleavers, I ventured into a venue I haven’t been for many years, the Phoenix, to witness half a set from Galoshins. This is one of these moments where you really wish they list their genre on their facebook page, but alas. So here’s what I’m gonna put them down as: Psychedelic-Ambient-Funky-Folky-Rocky-Rock. With their guitar, keys, drums and dedicated effects man, they were certainly interesting and very entertaining. Weird and wonderful, in a sense.
Playing tracks from their “new album that isn’t recorded yet”, Forest Fires were my first act to see in Blackfriars this year. This alternative rock band from Aberdeen gave it their all with a very tight set. I can’t quite place why, but they were my favorite act of the night so far. Maybe it was because of their cool as- bass lines, and a track with a tap bass throughout, or maybe it’s because they don’t sound dissimilar from He Slept on 57, but the true reason is simply I enjoyed their music, and I look forward to hopefully seeing this no-frills rock band again.
Velveteen Saints were a proper rock ‘n’ roll band. With their teddy bear appearance, and their swapping between 3 of them as the lead vocalist, they still maintained their style. Most of the audience were absorbed into the atmosphere they created, those aside from the disgruntled locals, clearly with no idea what the hell was going on in this throw up venue. One missed cue and confusion in the band during the set, but I won’t hold it against them. Their last song “Rock and Roll is Dead” was pointed out to me by Mickey Duncan of City in Surveillance to be a rip off of both the Ramones and Stone Roses, but a good set overall.
I took a break from all of the hustle and bustle of the pubs and headed to the Encore.It had a very different atmosphere from the other venues, relaxed, seated and comfortable, I set up shop here for the next short while, firstly seeing the end of a set by Allie Bradley. Although not a name I had heard before, I was impressed by the soft guitar playing, matched with the powerful vocals, and at the very finish of her set, the whole crowd were chanting back at her “Baby, just hold on”
Colin Macleod, AKA The Boy who Trapped the Sun. After being suitably hyped up by the compare, clearly in awe of his talent, Colin eased his set with a new song, not played in Inverness before. As the words of Copper Down drifted through the now packed room, the audience slowly quietened down to listening intent, although a conversation at the bar slowly crept up the volume of talking again, until unfortunately the quieter parts of his set were being drowned out by inconsiderate people. Despite this, Colin continued with an excellent set, playing another track from his 2010 album Fireplace, Home, a more upbeat track than the last.
After explaining that his last album was written about “teenage things” but that his new songs are about him trying to convince his wife that something is a good idea, he played 3 new songs, including California, a song recently put out and finishing up with a more upbeat stomper, a 3 and a half minute “rant written by his friend.” A great set from the man from Stornoway and a great advert for his forthcoming gig at Rockness this weekend.
Finishing up in the Market Bar were a band called Saint Max and the Fanatics. I only caught a short amount of their set, but this ska band could have done with a much bigger venue, with the crowd eager to dance and jump about.
The penultimate act downstairs at Hootenanny were Donald MacDonald and the Islands. This upbeat folk/indie band seemed right at home at Hoots, and had the full attention of the almost at capacity room, with people down the front dancing, at one point being joined by Donald himself for a wee jig. Donald exclaimed his delight with playing the festival, detailing that he made a special effort by “wearing his Sainsbury’s uniform.” A great set from them, and we can expect many more like them in Inverness.
The final act at The Ironworks were Woodenbox, previously known as Woodenbox and a Fistful of Fivers. This country rock band created a party atmosphere as they took the stage, despite the crowd being quiet between songs. With their funky bass lines and their western sound, they were a great way to close the stage for the night.
Fat Goth, a “metal in denial” 3 piece band closed the night at the Phoenix. Despite being in a much larger venue than the previous year, this band packed the room, front to back, and it seemed that all the professional guests at the festival were there. At 100mph, this band hammered through their set, note perfect absorbing the crowd into their music. As the distorted bass continued, the punters lined up out the door, onto the street, banging on the window, trying to be a part of this experience. As the people inside got rowdier it was clear that they had earned their spot at the festival and the many plaudits that they have been collecting. Watch out T in the Park.
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