A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
Photography by Craig Chisholm Music Photography https://www.facebook.com/craigchisholmmusicphotography
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This was an unusual gig in that it was publicised in advance that the support band would start at 7.15 and the headliner would be on 8-9.30pm. This was glorious news for a Tuesday night when you have work the next morning, and it did not detract from the evening at all. We were all there and ready to have our ears spoiled rotten!
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Broken Chanter have been on my list of bands I would like to see live for a while so I was glad to hear they were supporting Arab Strap’s return to the Lemon Tree. David MacGregor is the band behind the name, although he sometimes has company when playing. This gig saw Charlotte join him on stage and saying “that’s so stupid” about some of his questionable “patter”. It did include a paddling pool full of jelly, being electrocuted and quidditch, so she had a point. David did also point out that both he, and Arab Strap, have their latest albums nominated for a SAY award this year, which is fabulous, and well deserved. He played several songs from Chorus Of Doubt, including Who’s Asking? and Don’t You Think That Something Needs To Be Done? At the end of his set he invited us to stop by the merchandise stall and swap our email address for a sticker – and a jolly nice one it is too!
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The set list for Arab Strap included 18 songs, as usual it was a rollercoaster of noise and emotions and intricate and engaging lyrics as always. Aidan and Malcolm are just magical with all their knobs and buttons, I really do not know how they produce all the different sounds but it’s fascinating watching. Song titles include things like Sociometer Blues, Dreg Queen, Fable of the Urban Fox. Some of the lyrics just pull you in, such as “standing in the cold, face to face with the past” from New Birds. The encore included the terribly moving You’re Not There, played acoustically we almost needed a group hug at the end of it.
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If you have never experienced Arab Strap live I suggest you right this heinous wrong – and if you have, you know how right I am!
Further information: https://arabstrapband.bandcamp.com/album/im-totally-fine-with-it-dont-give-a-fuck-anymore
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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