Live Review

Miniature Dinosaurs – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 25th Jul 2011

Miniature Dinosaurs headlined what turned out to be an extremely varied night of music at King Tut’s last night. This was an over 14s show and there were four very different acts on the bill for the young Sunday night crowd to enjoy.

Miss Baudelaire strode onto a dimly lit stage dressed burlesque style with two dancers who were dressed in similar attire. The visual impact was great but unfortunately the music failed to live up to it. Singing along to an electro-pop backing tape, Michelle never really extended her voice, giving a rather dull pop sound for a set that ended well before its scheduled thirty minutes.

Gav Livz & MC-VA in contrast performed a dynamic and exciting set of hip hop with a difference. The duo, otherwise known as Gavin Livingston and Kaz Akhtar, carried Glaswegian swagger and humour into their music, which was vastly entertaining. A well rehearsed act saw them perfectly in synch with each other as they brought the audience into the act with a series of commands that were readily obeyed. It was great fun.

Hector Bizerk,, another young hip hop act was up next, with Louie on vocals and Audrey on drums. The use of a drummer rather than a backing tape gave a very different sound and the rapid fire vocal delivery was full of word play. Again the set was well received by the young audience, and although it didn’t reach the heights of the previous act, it was still enjoyable.

Miniature Dinosaurs from Stirling played a good, if short, set of their inspiring indie pop. Their music is always melodic with some nice hooks and lead singer Barry Maclean has a fine voice. There is an 80s feel to his vocals and it is easy to see why some make Orange Juice comparisons.

The set started strongly, with Craig Ferrie switching between guitar and synth to give two differing approaches, adding swirling keyboard sounds on Lemonade and a heavier, two guitar approach to Write Back. With bass player Alban Dickson and drummer Sam Waller bringing the power, the overall sound was big and exciting.

The band’s past single Cold Shoulder was a highlight, its heavy bass line and strong keyboard melody ably backing the vocals, while Home Is Home was a fine slower track featuring a more deliberate singing style.

The set closed with the current single Fight or Flight and its fast pace combined with passionate lyrics from Maclean on the big chorus made it a fitting way to end the evening. There was no encore despite cries for one from many fans.

Miniature Dinosaurs have built a good reputation as a live band and it was easy to see why from this performance. With a good sound and the ability to entertain their many fans in the live setting, bigger stages will surely be theirs soon.