It was a pleasure to be back at Gathering Sounds this year. Now well established on the local music calendar, the festival somehow continues to get better, with another packed line-up showcasing some of the best emerging and established talent around.
First up at The Green Room, Wool delivered melodic, sometimes sullen vocals beneath the sheer noise behind them. There were definite grunge tones, but with a heavier edge that gave their sound plenty of weight.
Over at The Georgian Theatre, Honeylight were serotonin in musical form – fitting, given they actually sing about it. They played pure Americana jangle-pop joy, with dual guitars, brilliant harmonies and a rhythm section that really added to the sound. A lovely moment saw just the two vocalists take centre stage, while Caitlin radiated sunshine throughout.
Strop brought back memories of the indie-rock bands that soundtracked the early 2000s, but that delicious vocal gave them something a little different. They were loud, riffy and punchy, with booming drums, bass and guitars all working together in a great package.
Weathership are old faithfuls, and you know you’re in for a treat. They’d had a pretty rubbish week, but you wouldn’t have known it from the way they threw themselves into the set. Fan favourites were mixed with new tracks, including one particularly upbeat, danceable number. When the crowd called for ‘The Swimmer’, they delivered.
Bad Gravy were my boon of the day. I had no idea who they were, and they absolutely blew me away, sounding like ’90s baggy music smashed into Gurriers and Yard Act. Distinctly Scottish, charismatic and seriously catchy, their layered sound just worked.
Pyncher brought the sweetest harmonies of the day, with an unmistakable air of The Beatles running through their indie pop. There’s something wonderfully old-school about them, and I’m not mad at it.
If Pyncher sit somewhere in the ’60s, Crescent brought a little ’70s energy. Their soaring, sweeping psych sound was right up my street, while little indie flourishes broke through to keep things feeling modern and fresh.
Then came Shelf Lives, and holy moly, did these guys come to play. Is it electronica? Is it punk? Who cares, because it’s bloody blinding. The amount of energy and sound they created was astounding. Amazingly tight but still gritty, scratchy and raw, they had the crowd firmly on board.
And really, that’s Gathering Sounds: another year, another stack of reasons to come back.
