Live Review

Exlovers – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 4th Mar 2011

A varied selection of music was on offer last night at King Tut’s, headed up by the indie pop of London band Exlovers, who were supported by three local acts.

First Tiger played an intriguing set, with their unusual line up incorporating two guitars, double bass, drums and a three trumpet brass section. They have a fast paced pop sound that is refreshingly different, although the mass of instruments drowned out the vocal on occasions.

The Liam Cairns Band were more folk meets rock. Lead singer Cairns has a strong voice, although he wavered a bit on some of the high notes. With a simple but effective rhythm to the faster songs, the overall effect was pleasing.

The keyboards were almost unheard in many tracks, though, but the lead guitarist took his one moment to shine well with a fine solo. Cairns has talent and song writing ability, but perhaps needs to think more as a band leader than a solo artist.

The Imagineers, one of the best young rock bands on the Scottish scene, played a set full of quality and drive. Their blend of good time indie rock with just a hint of a Latin feel is pulsating and powerful, as well as highly entertaining.

With new guitarist Scott Bonnyman added to their line up there was perhaps a slightly harder edge to some of the newer tracks on show. But the rousing choruses and thoughtful lyrics are still to the fore, over a strong beat that propels the music forward.

The Imagineers have been in the studio recently and an EP release is coming soon. Their many fans will be delighted with the news and eager to get their hands on new music from this excellent band.

Exlovers took the stage just before 11pm to a half full venue. It seemed that many of the audience had come along solely to see one of the support bands and then left. They missed a decent set that sat somewhere between rock and pop.

Opening with new single Blowing Kisses, the male/ female lead vocal combination of Peter Scott and Laurel Sills was to the fore over a heavy guitar beat. This is basically a good pop song, with a dreamy quality to its lyrics.

There is a good depth to their sound as the twin guitars trade off each other, but the focus of the music is always the vocals, backed by occasional keyboard parts. While the songs tend towards pop composition there is always an edgy quality that threatens to break out, but never quite does.

The set continued in the same vein, the apparent contradiction between heavy guitars and lighter wistful vocals somehow working to create a novel sound. There is little variety in the music however and the overall approach appears a little formulaic.

A slower new song was played near the end of the set; unfortunately I didn’t catch the name. The two vocal approach remained though, with Laurel taking much of the lead. And the closing Moth Eaten Memories was similar, building to a feedback howl as the band left the stage.

Exlovers have a niche sound that largely works well, although a little more variation in their music would be welcome. The band is working on a debut album at present and perhaps that will expand their sound a little to showcase their undoubted talents.