On Sunday 2nd November, The Ironworks hosted what was billed as ‘A Celebration of Youth Work’. Organised by Youth Highland, alongside their AGM there were networking and training activities. There were also performance from a variety of acts and artists and this provided the opportunity to catch a first glimpse of new Ross-shire band Atlas.
I’m trying desperately to avoid the catch-all label of ‘indie’ but there is no doubt that Atlas come under this particular umbrella. They mix things up really nicely though; from accessible pop oriented offerings to some more muscular rock the set is varied with shades of light and dark in equal measure.
While the vocals are impressive they wrap a standard set up of two guitars bass and drums around some intriguing and diverse influences – the set feature two covers Real Hero by College and Fall Out Boy’s ‘Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down’. While you might know Real Hero from the movie Drive, the latter is perhaps closer to the bands more immediate influences.
Meanwhile, Atlas are due to release an EP featuring their own work pretty soon. This evenings set opened with the punchy punkish ‘Experiment’ from the EP alongside my personal favourite ‘Strawberries’. The set finished with ‘Plain Sailing’ with the guys clearly enjoying themselves and really going for it during the songs big tempo change at the end. Energy, commitment and passion (as Alan Hansen might say).
This was a fine debut gig and I’m really looking forward to catching them with a few more gig-miles under their belts.
Atlas are: Cameron Grant – vocals/guitar, Euan Moran – guitar/backing vocals, Kieran Auld – bass and Connor Cowan on drums. Scheduled to play next at The Ironworks Winter Showcase on the 27th December it’s well worth getting along and checking them out – and maybe pick up a copy of the EP?
