Stu Thain, booker at the Eagle Bar has his monthly Stu’s Picks evening, and this month it was a real pick ‘n’ mix with three very diverse acts.
First up was Edinburgh based Little Kingdom. The last time they played up here was on the Free Range Stage at Belladrum when they were just a duo with Fraser and Samir sitting on the edge of the stage with leggings dangling. But now, roll it on a few months, and they’ve doubled to a four piece with the addition of fiddle and drums.
Fraser’s strong vocal is still there and Samir leads with intricate guitar work. Add that to a foot stomping start and the addition of the fiddle it adds a real trad dimension to the band, and it’s new member Eleanor’s fiddle that weaves itself hypnotically through the songs. There is a real flavour of the likes of Chasing Owls in here and a fired up Dante. They really engaged the crowd, which was no mean feat for an out of town band. Early set highlights included ‘Fortune Favours’ and ‘Bella’, not unsurprisingly a title inspired by their festival debut last year.
This set of distinctly Scottish whisky dyed folk was brought to a conclusion with ‘Like Lead’ and ‘Greet The Sun’. Upbeat, foot stomping and sure fire Hogmanay party music. Book them before someone else does.
Dropping was the pace was Whiskys front man Kris Douglas, under the guise of Dr Wook. He was keen to stress that he wasn’t a real doctor. It’s best to establish that before an emergency happens. Dr Wook has been feeling his way with his solo material. Tonight was no exception, as he brought us through a set a little lighter on loops than I have witnessed previously, but equally fitting of the venue.
There is an undeniable pleasure in the way that Kris delivers these tracks, so much that he can add a Kylie cover with about half of the audience not noticing. ‘Hand On Your Heart’ may raise a few eyebrows but set ender ‘Grace From Below’ is where Dr Wook sits. He bears a little of his soul in there, and that is always good to see from any act.
Shaped. I could sum the three piece Shaped up in about three words but that would be an injustice, so I’ll leave that to the end. Having had a sneaky look at their set list they go and play a different first song, much to the surprise of drummer Donna. Once back on track they decide to rip their way through their agreed set list, with the exception of Jealousy (one in one out, I suppose).
They love their fans in a dirty way, or so Sarah tells us when she introduces ‘McLovin’. She also tells us that with Little Kingdom and Dr Wook ‘That’s where the talent lies. You’ve been screwed having us as headliners!’. So they may be the least experienced act on the bill but the whole set is a short sharp kick in the groin, as they rampage their way through.
Pop punk, especially with a Stateside twist can be fun as Shaped proved, but not without its mishaps. Drummer Donna had the most unfortunate of nights culminating in a broken bass pedal. She’d even packed her drumsticks away just before the soundman did a running repair.
Mind you that did leave Shaped a little exposed for a song and a half. In many ways Shaped are a bit of a shambles, but most of it is just bad luck, but underlying it is some really decent bass driven tunes. I left with a smile on my face;
Shaped are great entertainment and where else can you get that with your clothes on at 1230 on a Saturday night! Oh, those three words, fast, frantic and fun.
