Festival season is upon us! This means great times ahead in fields and possibly a quieter time for our venues in the city. Thankfully Aberdeen does not have this problem with local acts in abundance and D.I.Y. promoters ready to entertain the masses…
I decided to make a day of it on Saturday, heading to a HITSWGF (Happiness Is Time Spent With Good Friends) show in a venue I’d never set foot in before: Carlton Bar. Tucked away in a currently very dug up Castlegate, it could be easy to miss. But once inside, I was quick to see this was a fantastic space that the local scene could definitely utilise more. The line-up bragged a host of talents from banjo playing to punk rock so I was excited to be engrossed by an afternoon of local talent.
Opening the day was Joel McKenzie who played a set of historical banjo tunes, most older than recording devices. Highlights included Lady of the Lake from Virginia, USA and Whiskey Before Breakfast which was a rare tune from Canada. Joel showed great technical prowess and it was endearing to hear about the origins of the banjo music he was playing, like an interactive history lesson!
Next up was singer-songwriter Nushka who played a combination of tracks on their acoustic guitar and some with an electric guitar and backing tracks. The songs with effects really brought their creative visions to life and I would love to see a larger set up to elevate their live sound. Political themes and references to their Indian heritage made this set a unique and meaningful journey with latest single Kattan Kaapi standing out.
Extracts were the first full band of the day and despite many technical difficulties, the trio laughed it off and persevered the best they could with a strong set of rock tracks. It would be great to see them on a day when the technical gods are on their side, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless.
Following Extracts were new favourites of mine, Beachgrove. Having seen them play the previous month, I was pleasantly surprised to recognise material from my last outing seeing them, proving they have the knack for a catchy tune. They bring a refreshing youthfulness to the scene whilst also delivering performances you would expect from those who had been playing together for years. They have potential to go far.
My last band of this venue, before venturing elsewhere (another article incoming), were Vibrator. From the name itself I knew they were bound to be provocative so was intrigued to see and hear what they would bring to the day. The answer was primal screams, heavy reverb, intense drumming and all out punk rock, accompanied by a crowd who were loving every minute. Next time, I’ll see you in the pit.
Overall this was an example of how local music is alive and well in the city. We’re very lucky to have those interested in putting on and attending these shows ensuring that a place the size of Aberdeen can still hold their own.
Enjoy tracks from some of the artists mentioned in the playlist below.