Live Review

Haight-Ashbury – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 28th Jul 2011

It was a warm day in Glasgow yesterday and the inside of King Tut’s became very hot and sweaty. But those who stayed until almost midnight for the late finish enjoyed an entertaining set from Haight-Ashbury.

Local indie band Finding Albert started the night off with a decent set. Their two guitar sound features keyboards on some songs, and they also brought along a three strong string section, which wasn’t really heard as much as it should have been. Rapido, the opening track from their recent debut album was the standout, an uptempo track with strong vocals over a heavy drum beat.

Blue Sky Archives describe their music as melodic post rock and harmonious pop, which is actually pretty accurate. Featuring a female lead singer with a high voice that projects well, their two guitar sound burst into life on occasions with frenetic chords and superb drumming. And the effect was complemented by the singer who played a mini drum kit at the front of the stage. It was different yet exciting.

Bear Bones is a large folk group, assembled to back lead singer Ben Harrision. The sound included, at various times, accordion, banjo, ukulele and both brass and string sections, but was always well co-ordinated. Harrision’s voice has the lilt of his native Islay and is well suited to the softer songs in the repertoire. The single Diving Bell was the highlight, with a set of hand bells backing the vocals on the intro. It was a fine set and well received by a large crowd, many of whom, it seemed, had come just to see Bear Bones.

Haight-Ashbury came on stage just after 11pm and played a 45 minute set full of lovely folk songs that hinted at both blues and psychedelia. The three piece band performed on an almost dark stage, with only a few blue lights casting a dim glow. Not great for photographers, but it certainly added to the atmosphere.

Jennifer Thompson stands stage right, with her strong vocals and a mini drum kit that sets an insistent beat. Kirsty Reid is on the left, playing bass on most songs and singing in a wonderfully ethereal and uplifting manner. And Scott Reid patrols the centre, playing several different guitars very well.

The reworked single Freeman Town was an early highlight, a bass heavy sound contrasting with the two fine female vocals to create a track that was hypnotic and inspiring in equal measures.

A couple of new songs were worked into the set, mixed with fan favourites. For the beautiful Three Little Birds, Scott Reid played what looked like a home made guitar while sitting on a box. The sound was strong but it was the slow vocal delivery from the two singers that gave a haunting and endearing quality to a quite lovely folk song.

The closing So Groovy was typical of the quality set, a repeated cymbal crash and distorted guitar sounds setting the pace while those two lovely voices soared above it all. The crowd were enthralled and appreciative of a fine performance.

Haight-Ashbury has a great sound that adds much to its folk roots. The psychedelic influence, expected from the band’s name, is clear and the result is an entertaining fusion that both delights and grips the audience.