Fresh off the heels of their hit Just A Little While and their recent EP, “Pure Serotonin,” the 502s brought their infectious sound and energy to Glasgow at SWG3 as part of their UK and Ireland tour. The band straddle genre’s and are heavily influenced by the indie-folk scene. The reality is that the 502s sound and stage presence is unique in itself, with obvious influences from the UK folk scene, Americana and doses of funk. Think Mumford And Sons in beachwear and much, much happier.
Draped in chino shorts and Hawaiian shirts, they bring the sunshine and summer energy to a cold Glasgow crowd. They approach the gig with the optimism, energy and self-assurance. While I had my hesitations over how this would translate to the Glasgow crowd, those reservations were quickly diminished.
The 502s graced the stage, taking off into their opening song Hey Julia. Ed and multi-instrumentalist Joe Capati are immediately running and hopping on to the beat of their opener. The energy, application and array of instruments involved reminded me of Madness – albeit a very different musical output, and perhaps obvious signs of enjoyment.
Speaking of instruments… over the course of our setlist we were treated to expert musicianship (and solo’s) featuring a banjos, bass guitar (5 string), electric guitar (6 string), drums, tambourine, harmonica, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet and a kazoo. Each solo more impressive than the last, with the band extremely tight throughout.
As the set progressed the SWG3 crowd quickly found their rhythm and were overcome by the energy on display from the band. They also found their voice for a singalong to the infectious Magdalene. Ed and the band were soaking in the moment, realising they had cracked their metaphorical nut.
Many of the 502s songs bring themes of summer, relationships, and brotherhood. They resonate and feel familiar, though many of the audience were hearing songs performed live for the first time. The reason being that the 502s pepper their songs with subtle licks from crowd favourites of years gone by, a reference to some of their own musical influences. This is most evident during Waves, an idyllic tune about an eternal summer, which the band incorporate Don Henley’s The Boys of Summer and Tracy Chapmans Fast Car. Waves is a natural crowd pleaser. While including those musical influences the 502s manage to retain authenticity and avoid being reductive.
The band previews their forthcoming album by performing unreleased songs, all of which land. The sentimentality of the songs, and indeed the journey the band are sharing with themselves, and the audience is not understated. “This family is blessed to be doing what we’re doing right now”, he proclaims. Ensuring the crowd know they too are part of the family.
The 502s are wholesome. Ed and Joe dominate the crowd’s attention with their marching, bouncing, and bopping. At various points in the set the other band members – Matthew Tonner (keys and electric guitar), Sean Froehlich (drums & percussion), Nicholas Melashenko (bass) and Graci Phillips (acoustic guitar), all perform solos. Fellow bandmembers ensured the spotlight was firmly on the individual for the moment by laying down on their backs out of sight, continuing to play their supporting instruments or clapping to the beat. Sean particularly seized his moment to step away from the indie-folk stylings to deliver a raucous drum solo.
Another heart-warming moment emerged when Ed announced that the previous night in Belfast, he met a fan after the show who told him she’d be travelling to Glasgow to see her favourite band perform twice in two days. She also told him that her favourite song was Genevieve – a song not traditionally played live by the band. For some bands, that encounter would have been enough. Meeting a fan and sending them home happy to have met their idols. The 502s are no ordinary band. They practice the values they preach, and they create community. An experience to remember, all the more for one lucky fan. Ed and co had quickly developed a live version of Genevieve – a beautiful acoustic song about sacrificing your own happiness for another’s in their pursuit of something more. The change of pace was welcome and showed that the 502s are not a one-trick pony.
As the set draws to a close, support act Darren Kiely is invited onstage to play with the band. Together they tear through Wait Just A Little While. Backstage In Glasgow was written after the bands show in St Lukes, autumn 2022 and their first live performance of the song back in the same city is a nice touch. The band finish with Stories To Tell, ensuring every bandmember has a turn to sing solo centre stage before one final break down. Scotland The Brave is incorporated into a final musical solo which generates rapturous applause from the crowd.
At times Joe and Matthew play their instruments like men possessed. You can’t doubt the application of everyone, from the snake-charming solos of Joe to the high-octane drumming of Sean – and all the running in between. Their effort is admirable, and they ultimately succeed in putting on a spectacle for their fans. It really is more of an experience than a gig. The 502s captivate their audience. Anyone who may think the folk scene is not for them should get themselves to a 502s gig and witness the magic first hand. By blending indie-folk and funk, they have found a unique niche to thrive in.