Popup
Glasgow Barfly, Friday 9th March
At times, Glasgow's Barfly is a strange venue with gigs simultaneously run on the ground floor and the basement. This works best when the volume is balanced though far too often it's not. Regina Spektor, Craig B (Aereogramme) and Malcolm Middleton - to name but a few – have all played downstairs as a cacophony of Punk or Metal has tornadoed above them,
At times, Glasgow's Barfly is a strange venue with gigs simultaneously run on the ground floor and the basement. This works best when the volume is balanced though far too often it's not. Regina Spektor, Craig B (Aereogramme) and Malcolm Middleton - to name but a few – have all played downstairs as a cacophony of Punk or Metal has tornadoed above them,
soldiering on as screams and feedback drift down the stairs. Tonight though, Popup have decided that they can compete with the guitar-shredding disharmony above our heads; and they do it spectacularly.
The scottish quartet are on their way to Texas this week, having been invited to perform at South by South West. Tonight is their "Warm up party" and dancing is the order of the evening.
The set begins at blistering pace with recent single, "Chinese Burn" and doesn't slow down until a wonderfully rendered cover version of the Dougie MacLean penned Frank Miller classic, "Caledonia". Afterwards - of course - the pace picks up again and the band close their set with first single, "Lucy, What Are You Trying To Say?".
Popup are a strange amalgamation of all that's good in Scottish music. Similar in style to the jaggy pop of Franz Ferdinand and early Delgados, their lyrical style and delivery owes a deliberate nod to the Yummy Fur's John McKeown, and the pictures that Damian Gilhooly
paints in Popup's songs are reminiscent of the brighter moments of Arab Strap.
With such an interesting blend of apparent influences it could be considered difficult to pigeon-hole the band, but that's probably a good thing and I'm sure that the girls dancing down at the front don't really care. In fact, this is one of the most striking and enjoyable things about Popup. The energy and enthusiasm the band exude from the stage is hard to ignore and is lapped up avidly by the excited fans at the front.
So... South by South West awaits. And if American music-lovers enjoy this band as much as those in the Barfly did tonight, then Popup could be coming home from the states feeling very appreciated indeed.
Popup will be back in Glasgow Barfly for the venue's 5th Birthday party on the 4th May.
> Words and Photos: Neil Milton
The scottish quartet are on their way to Texas this week, having been invited to perform at South by South West. Tonight is their "Warm up party" and dancing is the order of the evening.
The set begins at blistering pace with recent single, "Chinese Burn" and doesn't slow down until a wonderfully rendered cover version of the Dougie MacLean penned Frank Miller classic, "Caledonia". Afterwards - of course - the pace picks up again and the band close their set with first single, "Lucy, What Are You Trying To Say?".
Popup are a strange amalgamation of all that's good in Scottish music. Similar in style to the jaggy pop of Franz Ferdinand and early Delgados, their lyrical style and delivery owes a deliberate nod to the Yummy Fur's John McKeown, and the pictures that Damian Gilhooly
paints in Popup's songs are reminiscent of the brighter moments of Arab Strap.
With such an interesting blend of apparent influences it could be considered difficult to pigeon-hole the band, but that's probably a good thing and I'm sure that the girls dancing down at the front don't really care. In fact, this is one of the most striking and enjoyable things about Popup. The energy and enthusiasm the band exude from the stage is hard to ignore and is lapped up avidly by the excited fans at the front.So... South by South West awaits. And if American music-lovers enjoy this band as much as those in the Barfly did tonight, then Popup could be coming home from the states feeling very appreciated indeed.
Popup will be back in Glasgow Barfly for the venue's 5th Birthday party on the 4th May.
> Words and Photos: Neil Milton
