Live Review

Roadway – Apollo 23, Glasgow

• 21st Jul 2011

Highland rockers Roadway came down to Glasgow last night to play a blistering set that deserved a much bigger audience. Heading a mammoth six band bill, they didn’t hit the stage until after 11pm, but those who waited around were well entertained.

A word about Apollo 23. This new 500+ venue sits on the site of the legendary, and much missed, Glasgow Apollo. They aim to create the same sort of buzz, which is a massive challenge. The sound system is excellent, but they really need to sort out the lighting. At times the stage was dark with several spotlights trained on the audience for no apparent reason. At others, bewildering series of rapid changes dazzled and I went home with a huge headache.

Myles Leggat from Hamilton opened up with a decent acoustic set. His voice is strong and he has some nice songs in his repertoire especially slower numbers like Cadzow Bridge. It was a pleasant and comparatively gentle introduction to the night.

Local band Kiss Mars turned the temperature up with a set that was full of power chords over a heavy bass beat. They have an unremarkable rock sound although Sympathetic, featuring some fine vocals, was the one song that lifted their set above the ordinary.

These Little Kings, a young Glasgow band, in contrast put on a dynamic show full of energetic movement and some biting solos from their two guitarists. The Fire was the highlight, a big rock song with some fine lead guitar work. There is a lot more to come from These Little Kings.

Manta, another Glasgow rock band, have a bluesy edge to their music. Their lead singer has power and excellent vocal range and the guitarist offered some nice solos. They use change of tempo well to give variety to their sound and the centrepiece of the set, Protection, was an epic rock song.

Lethal Tender from Bathgate have a much heavier sound that is more metal than rock. The bass and drums dominated but the lead singer’s ability to hit the high notes with apparent ease was the best feature of a set that offered little variation. The Hendrix tribute Guitar Superstar was perhaps their best song.

From the moment Roadway hit the stage it was clear that they are on a different level from what had gone before. The band has a big, classic rock sound with twin lead guitars and keyboards giving depth, while a solid rhythm section sets a strong beat. And lead singer Dougie Greig’s vocals were clear and strong all though an excellent set.

The opening Fight For Freedom and Midnight Dance, both from the band’s debut EP, established the tone with Iain Macleod on bass and drummer Ryan McEwen setting a ferocious pace while the guitars of Bod Elder and Ross McEwen duelled and then combined in electrifying fashion.

There was tremendous energy in this performance from a band who clearly love the stage. Elements of showmanship abounded as the spotlight fell on individual members and they played with smiles on their faces throughout. It seemed as if they knew they were on form and revelled in it.

The highlight of a too short set was This Is Why, again from their EP. The studio version features vocals from Doogie White, who has played with the likes of Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen in a long career. Greig made a fine job of the vocals here and once again the guitar solos rocked big style. The seven minute track has a feel of a late era Rainbow song, and Roadway carried it off superbly.

There was more to come. An extended jam saw both guitarists take solos before the bass and the keyboards of Frazer Mustard got in on the act, all showing their abilities nicely. Good Men Die started with a fine piano intro before exploding into life and the new song that closed the set was another big rocker leading up to a frenetic finish.

Roadway have both the musical talent and the stage presence that enable a rock band to play live shows that excite and entertain. With the individual talents that make up the band and the song writing abilities they have shown they should go a long way.