Following the sold out Easter Showcase which saw Lionel, Garden of Elks, Schnarff Schnarff impress at the venue, the Ironworks have announced a two date Summer Showcase for 2014.
The events will be held on Saturday the 26th of July and Sunday the 24th of August and will see the normal eclectic mix of local acts vying to wow audiences keen to support and discover new music in the area.
Currently announced for the Saturday night are Shaped, the trio recently played The Market Bar at goNORTH 2014.
Our reviewer observed; “Their insecurities make them all the more endearing and each song is always a joy to hear, and for them a joy to just get through it. They may not be re-inventing pop punk but they are delivering it in its true spirit.”
Bite Night whose support slots this year includes Casual Sex and The Palma Violets. Tasked with the mission to make double denim cool again, their indie pop/rock sensibilities do draw a lot of similarities with Arctic Monkeys with a more than occasional retro twist of the likes of Thin Lizzy.
The Oxides return to the live scene, with two recent additions in Tom Fullerton (Drums) and Mikey Duncan (Guitar). The band talked to us recently about their plans for recording this year and it is great to see them back on stage, let the Bolt madness commence, again.
On playing the ironworks last year, Topher Elliott was described as; “He immediately kicked off with a set of easy listening, acoustic songs – teaming up his interesting guitar skills with his practically perfect, haunting vocals, which edged on sounding like Placebo at times.” Topher pulls on influences such as Iron & Wine, Lisa Hannigan and Marketa Irglova and recently released his ‘Create’ EP (see below).
Ewan Mcconologue (AKA Toastie) drew similarities to Frightened Rabbit, Malcolm Middleton and even Tommy Reilly when we saw him support He Slept on 57 last year. Acoustic pop with more than a few catch tunes thrown in.
The second date sees another mix of acts, emphasising just a glance of the talent that is around the Highlands. Be Like Pablo have recently released new versions of ‘Post-It Song’ and ‘Julianne’ as a AA Side Single. The return to the Summer Showcase after appearing in 2013, which also saw them play Belladrum, Wickerman, Speyfest and Jocktoberfest.
Ewan (frontman) described his motivation when we talked to him last year; “I think our only goal really is just to self improve. I think if you get to that stage where you can’t better yourself, that’s a bad thing. There should always be room to better what you’re doing.”
Another returning band this time with a change of personnel is (James Mackenzie’s) Verona, who played under the guise of Love Civilain at the Winter Showcase last year. The band create a “hard pop” slant to anyone familiar to James’ tunes. New material and recordings are promised for this year as James balances his solo act with that of the band.
Silver Coast have had a busy year with the release of debut ‘Believe’ and a strong list of gigs that have seen them play from Fort William to Aberdeen. They will soon be announcing their new guitarist and this will be their first electric gig in Inverness with the new line-up.
Emily Mackinnon will take her collection of well crafted and enchanting covers from Leonard Cohen to Mumford & Sons to the venue. Last ,but by no means least, on the line-up currently announced is Matchstick Maker. “A warm personality he has a deeply melodic vocal range that appears effortless” remarked our reviewer of his alter-ego Duncan Overmeer, last year.
Both nights still have some acts to be announced, in what we hope will be strong nights for the local scene and it’s supporters.
For tickets (priced £5) email us at showcasetickets@iwanttobea.ninja and we will ensure you get them.
