Live Review

Wolf Gang – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 5th Jun 2011

Max McElligott and his band Wolf Gang entertained a large Saturday night crowd with a set full of synth heavy songs that put a modern twist onto 80s pop.

The first of two support acts was Kill The Waves, a Glasgow based experimental electronic pop group. Their combination of twin keyboards and a heavy bass beat was interesting and a violin added something extra to the mix. Their final song was probably the highlight, a slower number featuring an acoustic guitar and less synth.

Kyla La Grange was superb; there’s no other word to describe a fine set. The singer songwriter was backed by a three piece band as she tore through a short set full of quality songs delivered with a powerful rock voice. Kicking off with her new single Been Better it was immediately clear that her folk routes have given way to more of a rock chic persona. The highlight of her set was Walk Through Walls, a big song with heavy guitars and vocals that soared over the mix. Kyla is definitely one to watch.

The stage was dark with only a white WG sign glowing on top of the amps as the headliners walked onto the stage. An eerie red light bathed singer Max McElligott and the other musicians as the heavy sounds of Dancing With The Devil kicked things off.

The forthcoming single King And All Of His Men was an early highlight, as McElligott dispensed with the guitar to add another synth to the sound as he delivered his passionate vocals. Then things were slowed down with Back To Back featuring multi layered harmonies and a strong bass line.

There was more of a rock feel in some of the tracks, while Where Are You Know had the deeper vocal delivery and fast, catchy beat that demonstrated a clear 80s new romantic influence.

The pace was slowed again for Suego Faults, the title track of the band’s forthcoming album, the twin keyboards dominating the sound before a gentle guitar solo sparkled at the end of the track, And Midnight Dancers continued in the same vein, with McElligott on acoustic guitar for a love song with an anthemic chorus.

The short set was closed with Lions In Cages, a past single. The pace picked up for a good pop song with a big chorus that had the audience dancing and clapping along. There was no encore.

Wolf Gang are a talented band with a sound that captures a pop vibe and adds a dynamic edge. Their new album should be worth waiting for.