Sea Girls rolled in to town on Sunday night in the middle of their Midnight Butterflies UK and European tour and put on a slick and polished performance in the adorable art deco venue in Glasgow’s Gorbals district.
This reviewer has already been present during a more intimate live show of theirs earlier in the year in our nation’s capital and whilst that night was hot, sweaty and bouncing, this was the mark of the band’s development as they continue their journey to the top of their field.
A mixture of popular songs from their swelling back catalogue complimented the new material from their third studio album.
You know a band are getting bigger when you have to navigate around the bootleg t-shirts presented for sale on the pavement outside the venue after the show, as one makes their way back to the Batmobile.
Rory Young on lead guitar, with his enviable mop of curly brown hair, never stopped bouncing stage right during the show. And Henry Camamile on lead vocals and guitar just can’t get enough attention from his adoring fans. He’s not exactly vertically challenged but has a tiny mini stage (at the front of the main one) that he hopped on and off at regular points during the performance. He’s very considerate of those in the audience who can’t quite see him and his devilishly handsome good looks.
Oli Khan on drums and Andrew Dawson on bass did all that was required to complete the impressive and tight performance. Solid, well-rehearsed, dependable and deep. This reviewer’s chest felt every beat.
20 songs during a blistering 85-minute set included a cover of Shaboozey’s A Bar Song. There’s not a huge amount of chat from Henry between the songs, but that’s okay. The boy has to preserve his vocal muscle to hit those high notes. And there’s plenty of them. At volume. His range at the higher end has to be heard in the live environment to be fully appreciated.
Opening with the impressive title track from the Midnight Butterflies album they’re promoting, they delivered 7 more songs from it. Deftly crafted, they should not be shy taking their place amongst the other, older and much-loved material in the Sea Girls back catalogue. The classics, Paracetamol Blues, Call Me Out, Hometown, Ready For More, Violet, Sick, Too Much Fun, Do You Really Wanna Know?, I Want You To Know Me, Damage Done and All I Want To Hear You Say, were beautifully recited and received with aplomb by a mixed demographic audience of old and young music lovers. These songs are already chapping on the door marked, ‘21st Century Indie Rock ‘n’ Roll Cannon.’
As Winston Wolf once said, respect shows character and Sea Girls have it in spades. They brought their support on to back them during Does Only God Know That We’re Lonely? Daydreamers were an admirable choice to open the night’s entertainment. They’re a band to keep an eye on and this reviewer is already looking forward to their next performance in Glasgow.
The Sea Girls’ light show was impressive and a fine torch to illuminate their performance. Glasgow gig crowds appreciate good live music and Sea Girls were visibly moved by the response they got. The show wasn’t a sell out but it should have been. Don’t miss out next time they hit our city with their ear worms.
Review by Manus McFadden
