Live Review

The Travelling Band – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 20th Jun 2011

The Travelling Band closed their UK tour on a high note with an excellent set in Glasgow last night.

Dead Man’s Waltz from Isle of Skye opened the show. They are a folk band, but unlike traditional Scottish folk music they tell tales of murder, the end of the world and the second world war. They call their music folk-noir and the tag fits nicely. A series of intense songs were well delivered featuring some effective piano work, with banjo and accordion added towards the end of the set. Their single Fallow Fields was perhaps the highlight, a more lively song than most.

Local band The Rudiments play light and melodic music that clearly takes its inspiration from the sixties. It is simple yet effective and features both good instrumental skills and a strong voiced lead singer. New song On Your Own was slightly slower in tempo with heartfelt vocals, while Whisky From A Bowl had a clear country influence. And the closing cover of Shakin’ All Over was a fine was to end an excellent set.

The Travelling Band played a set full of drive and energy that showcased both their song writing and performing abilities. Much of the music was taken from the band’s recently released second album, Screaming Is Something, which has had some excellent reviews.

The band plays a fusion of folk and rock music that can be light and melodic but also much harder with big guitar parts and psychedelic sounding keyboards. And with lead vocals shared between Adam Gorman and Jo Dudderidge there is variety aplenty in their music.

There were several highlights in the set. Battlescars started with a folk feel and subtle lead guitar work from Steve Mullen. It also featured some fine a capello vocals before building to a big rocking finish. This contrasted with the softer Sundail, which was closer to a folk song.

Magnetic Anywhere was outstanding, with Dudderidge adding a second electric guitar to the mix giving a real rock feel, especially with Nick Vaal pounding the drums and the bass of Chris Spencer clearly heard. And One Dime Blues slowed things down a little before rising to another rocking ending.

The closing song of the night, On The Rails, was another that started softly, but then exploded into an extended jam that saw every last reserve of energy used up as instruments were thrashed and beaten in one last monumental finale before the band left the stage to a howl of feedback.

The Travelling Band are building a reputation as an excellent live act, and on the basis of this performance it is much deserved. Several festival audiences over the summer should have this band on their must see list.