An up-and-coming indie rock band from London, Man/Woman/Chainsaw live up to their name in the most thrilling way possible.
From the moment they launched into their opening song, Only Girl, their sound cut through the room like a chainsaw.
Violinist Clio Harwood was undoubtedly one of the most captivating performers on stage. Her violin playing was fierce, powerful and full of character, yet her stage presence felt wonderfully effortless. She moved with such freedom and ease, completely immersed in the music and visibly enjoying every second of it. If anyone embodied the “Woman/Chainsaw” side of the band’s name, it was her.
And what about the “Man”?
Billy Ward, on guitar and vocals, brought an entirely different kind of energy. His voice, much like the band’s wonderfully bizarre song Goddamn, Lizard Man!, was wild, eccentric and gloriously rough around the edges. That raw, almost unruly vocal delivery added another layer of character to the band’s already unpredictable sound.
Together, they seemed to bring every part of their name — Man, Woman and Chainsaw — to life through their music.
The night ended with Nosedive, easily the most exhilarating and joyful moment of the entire show. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to get in a car and drive with no particular destination in mind. The steady drums and driving bassline created an irresistible sense of forward motion, carrying the whole room along.
There were bubbles floating across the stage, courtesy of the singer and a bubble machine. Clio’s violin cut in and out of the arrangement, the crowd sang along, and bursts of tambourine and cowbell added to the glorious chaos.
Somehow, all these little moments came together to create something genuinely euphoric. It was the kind of happiness that stayed with you long after the music stopped.
Walking home through the cold, gloomy Glasgow night, I found myself still smiling. After a show like that, even the city seemed a little brighter.