The Tea Street band are wrapping up their early winter road trip promoting the recent LP release Frequency. The tour may have been in the closing stages by the time the band rolled into Glasgow, but the 4 lads from Merseyside certainly weren't winding down as they lit up the stage at King Tuts on a crisp December night.
Perched at the top of Glasgow's financial services district sits “The best UK live venue" according to the sign outside anyway. Over the years King Tuts has played host to some of the best loved bands in world music. This is where the universe started to change for Oasis back in the mid 1990s, but it’s not all about breakthrough artists though, some well established acts still come back & play at the Wah Wah Hut just to be part of the legendary venue.
The quiet Sunday night streets are in contrast to the live music on offer behind the double doors of the Hut, being serenaded to the bar with 6 string melodies & the voices of the King Tuts Sunday night open mic sessions was a welcome treat before the doors to the main gig were opened for business.
With 2 support acts on we moved up stairs early to hear what was on offer. First up were 4 piece band Nineteen Canteen playing a good selection of melodic rock tracks, they were followed by the energetic 5 piece skate rockers Forrest Can't Run. Two variations in style before the main act took the stage.
A wee refresh of the stage & the unveiling of the magical box of tricks at guitarist Lee Smith’s disposal is the cue for the designer clad Pretty Green, Adidas wearing followers to make their way to the front of the stage. With 2 albums in the bank, the band have enough to keep the tunes going into the night, but unfortunately I’ve already spotted the curfew is just over an hour away.
Opening the set with Summer Dreaming from their first album before propelling into 3 tracks from the new album Givin'it back, Sacre Coeur & single Marseille Blues is enough to get the revellers in full swing & acclaim from Nick that Glasgow might be the best dancers of the tour.
An unscheduled break to rewire Lee's box of tricks holds up the gig momentarily, but it’s not long before Timo gets the set moving again with the haunting melody laden Taken it All before blasting out the Disco lights. The synth mixing & classic dance beats from Dom are leading the night into a full club session. Two more singles from the album Only Love & Feel It raise the temperature before Fiesta has revellers moving to the front of the stage to dance in the strobe infused musical euphoria.
The set finishes up with more arms in air to the Donna Summer Classic I feel Love, but with an extra bit of gold dust thrown in from the MCs on stage.
A quick chat with Timo & a set list to take home as a trophy from a mesmerising nights entertainment from a group you've just got to see live.
