Arab Strap at Lemon Tree, Aberdeen.

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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson

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Twice I have managed to see Aidan Moffat perform, once at Doune The Rabbit Hole and once in the Music Hall as part of True North festival.  Both times he was with RM Hubbard, which is a brilliant pairing, but I was keen to see him with Malcolm Middleton, performing as Arab Strap.  Sometimes dreams can come true.

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First up we had Callum Easter, a rather surreal support act.  He combined an accordion, a strobe light and some funky electronics to make some very unusual and enticing sounds.  His performance was mesmerising on a number of levels – although the lyrics that stuck out to me were “hold me and the feeling’s gone”.  Whilst hoping this isn’t his tagline on any dating apps, it struck home to me as I had held my poorly cat as he was put to sleep that morning.  For him it was good the feeling was gone.

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Arab Strap lived up to my expectations, delivering a wonderful set full of life and noise and randomness.  Again there’s use of electronic magic boxes, I don’t know how Malcolm can concentrate on playing guitar and kicking the controls on the floor at the same time.  It all sounded amazing though – and filled my mind and soul as I knew some music therapy would.

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Aidan’s lyrics do seem to focus on drinking and shaggin’ but they are fascinating and as he talks his way through songs your mind is right there with him following the story, there’s no room for deviation of thoughts.  There was a song about foxes, and then I saw one on the way home – that’s how Right a night it was. Just perfect.

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Further information:  Callum Easter – https://www.lostmap.com/callum-easter  Arab Strap –  https://www.arabstrap.scot/

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Photos attached from Craig Chisholm Music Photography – 
https://www.facebook.com/craigchisholmmusicphotography


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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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