For their first ever UK show, and the first date on their tour, Australian group Salarymen were greeted with a completely sold-out Sneaky Pete’s. The Sydney based indie-rock project are perfect for fans of groups like the War On Drugs, Beach Fossils and The Strokes. On an unusually hot night in Edinburgh, fans new and returning packed out the venue and enjoyed a night filled with amazing emerging talents.
With support from Raeburn Brothers and Dazed & Confused, this wasn’t a gig to miss. While I never managed to catch the first support band, I did hear they were brilliant, so they’re currently an honourable mention until I get to catch them live.
Dazed & Confused
Edinburgh quartet Dazed & Confused returned to the Sneaky Pete’s stage as one of two support bands of the night. Already, the genre-fusing talents have supported several other bands as well as headlining their own sell out gig in the iconic venue. As always, they put on an incredible set full of their eclectic and energetic tracks. Vibrant vocals from Callum O’Reilly were fused with Archie Brewis‘ funk-driving bass alongside electrifying solos and riffs from Ruariadh Rattray-Cruickshank. With guest and stand-in drummer Sean, they were an incredible sight to see.
Their setlist consisted of original material both released and unreleased. At the beginning of the year, Dazed & Confused released their debut 4-track EP, “Cream“. Songs from this release including the title track, ‘Come Around‘, which began the set, and stunning single ‘Swamp Song‘ made the setlist. These were performed alongside some effortlessly enjoyable unreleased tracks. I always jump at the chance to see Dazed & Confused live, and cannot rate them highly enough. Their merging of musical styles such as funk, psychedelic and rock is always mesmerising and you’re bound to love something from their sets.
Salarymen
Headliners Salarymen took to the stage in the sell-out venue and instantly intrigued the Scottish crowd. Salarymen is the project of duo Renee De La motte and Thom Eagleton but they teamed up with talented live musicians to bring their discography to life. Their music is a magical mixture of psychedelic, pop, rock and indie, with something for everyone.
Salarymen currently have two released EPs, 2022 release “Head In The Sand” and 2021 debut “Scene Change“. Tracks from both of these featured in the varied setlist including the popular track, and one of my favourites, ‘Please‘. They even threw in a cover of Talk Talk’s ‘It’s my Life‘. Normally I’m not the biggest fan of covers, especially live ones. However, they definitely did this song justice, and it fit perfectly with the atmospheric environment they’d created in the intimate venue. This particular tune allowed Renee to demonstrate her vibrant vocal range, something that was such a delight to hear.
Salarymen are 100% a group I’d see again. If they ever do venture back to the UK, I highly encourage anyone and everyone to go.