Well, well, well…
Just when I thought the King Tut’s Summer Nights lineups couldn’t get any better, my expectations have been surpassed yet again. I’d go as far as saying it’s one of the best grassroots gig I’ve been to this year in Glasgow – and I frequent a lot of gigs.
Fool Circle opened the night with an expressive; yet intimate set. They’ve played balls, battle of the bands, and are now making moves in the Glasgow gig scene. Hailing from St Andrews, this five-piece have a solidified band identity despite being relatively new to the game. With song titles such as Punched in the Face, Fool Circle are very clearly a straight to the point outfit. That also translates in their direct stage presence and clear psychedelic rock sound.
Their extravagantly long cover of Riders of the Storm – an already lengthy number – was the perfect way to close their set. The keys were instantly recognisable, and the lead singer maintained a comfortable stage presence (even during the rich instrumental sections). The song was even interrupted with an original poem from the band, which I subsequently found out had been collectively composed in a round-table format during the band’s pre-gig dinner.
After the resurrection of Jim Morrison, Wild Blue continued the night’s proceedings. Not to be confused with the John Mayer song or a band of the same name that last released an album in 1986, Wild Blue are a Scottish pop duo who only released their first single Fragile State of Mind last month. If calling a band underground weren’t such a cliche, this would be a fitting time to use such a term. Playing Tut’s this early on is also a great indicator of what’s to come for Wild Blue.
I was pleasantly surprised to see this duo flanked with a full band – including a saxophonist. What surprised me even more was the fact that they’d only had their third full band rehearsal the morning of the gig. Wild Blue are clearly a versatile force that I could see in a festival line-up; yet can also very clearly picture sitting The Doublet or The Royal Oak. Each number felt as if it could have been included in the outro of a coming of age film. Not in a stereotypical way; but because each song felt polished, while maintaining an introspective feel.
By this point, the energy had only been building in the room, and it was only enhanced by the upbeat sound of The Joshua Hotel. This trio specialise in soulful electronic pop – a sound that truly sets them apart from the other bands on the line-up, and from the other groups I’ve witnessed on the Tut’s stage this summer.
The Joshua Hotel is a lockdown project that morphed into a three-piece outfit, taking musical inspiration from cult films and postmodern literature. Just last year, their debut album Rapture Party reached spot 3 in the Official Scottish Album Charts and 14 in the Official UK Vinyl Charts.
This is a group that knows exactly who they are. Each member has something unique to bring to the table, and the passion they have for their instrument and the group is highly apparent. They’re not trying to fit into the box of what a band should be and what sound a band should portray in Glasgow. Their Tut’s set was more stripped back than their standard gig set-up, but this certainly didn’t detract from their ability to get everyone moving or limit their ability to produce a full-bodied sound.
As our headliner – Bistango – took to the stage I realised that this was by far the busiest I’ve seen King Tut’s this summer. Family and friends were at the ready with handmade signs of support, and merch was being sported at every angle. Being able to see and feel so much support in one room was a special experience to be a small part of.
Bistago are a five-piece band who formed as a result of their long-standing friendship, their sound blends a positive pop feel with post-punk elements and Britpop embellishments. I particularly enjoyed the band’s newest single, Rear Window. It’s truly a song of two halves, with a distinctive, high-energy guitar riff that melts into a rich, vocal-heavy chorus. It’s a song that feels like Glasgow, and this new release from the band certainly piques my interest for what’s to come.
The cover song chosen by Bistango was none other than Sound of the Underground. To say the crowd was receptive would be an understatement. Knowing your audience is a true skill, especially when it comes to song choices. Bistango hit the nail on the head, and I even think Cheryl would be proud.
I can’t fully place this outfit into one specific genre, and I don’t feel the need to. One thing I can confidently say is that each song provided a window into the band themselves. Each piece resembled the feeling of navigating your youth and everything that comes with it. The set gave me a snapshot into what being in a band should mean – friends making music that feels organic and true to their personalities. In an industry where large personalities can overshadow musicality and talent, groups like Bistango exist to remind audiences what live music is all about.
