Electric Honey has proved once again why it holds the title of “the most successful student – run record label in the world” with their 30th anniversary showcase. Kicking of the show, held at Glasgows Stereo, we had Sophie Gibson.
Covering the likes of Adele and Bruno Mars, Sophie eased us in to the night of performances with soft piano ballads, carried by the young performers powerful vocals.
Glasgow based grunge punks Wine Moms graced the Stereo stage following Sophie. The complete atmospheric shift from ballads to metal and grunge electrified the floor, with the audience exchanging lighters for mosh pits. An outsider might question this hard shift in genres at the same gig, however I’d argue that this perfectly encapsulates Electric Honey’s incredibly varied roster over the past thirty years. Wine Moms were able to bring an intense and explosive energy that many young acts struggle to deliver on.
After Wine Moms we had another tonal shift with Land of Rubber Men. The indie/ska four piece turned Stereo into a Northern Soul ballroom with ripping saxophone and plucky guitar, as well as crazily groovy bass licks. Land of Rubber Men brought a bouncy energy to the room that had everyone up on their feet two-stepping.
In between Land of Rubber Men’s set and headliners Scunnurt I managed to catch up with Electric Honey founder, Glasgow Kelvin College lecturer and Bluebell, Ken McKlusky. Ken, along with Douglas MacIntyre and Alan Rankine founded the label in 1992. When I asked about what the label means to him thirty years on he had this to say:
“Electric Honey has over the last thirty years brought a variety of fantastic music, and facilitated many bands debut records. Some of which international players such as Biffy Clyro, Belle & Sebastian and Snow Patrol, but the aim is to raise the profile of local acts, while giving the students an experience of A&R, promotion, putting on the gigs. It’s been a great vehicle for that over the years, long may it continue.”
Topping off the night of celebrations we had Scunnurt, a Glasgow based five piece alternative outfit. The band had their latest single, titled “Sonder”, a shoegazy, angsty rocker, release at midnight just after the gig, a great way for them to celebrate such a pulse ponding performance at Electric Honey’s 30th. Scunnurt capture a sense of familiarity while still sounding fresh and interesting, like all acts showcase at this event, they’re ones to watch.
Still having its finger on the pulse of Scottish music, if its acts are anything to go off of, Electric Honey has a very exciting, bright future.