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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
Photos of The View by J N Photography Aberdeen: https://ashotinthedark.weebly.com/
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For this tour the headliners have carefully chosen some emerging artists to support them, which is a wonderful chance for these newer acts to get the chance to reach a bigger audience. The first support of the evening in Aberdeen was Ben Walker, a young and enthusiastic lad from Montrose. His songs included Just A Boy, which was written in the pub near his home when he went back after university; his latest song Sixteen, and Great Escape, which was only written last week. He said they would only play part of it as the band had not had long to learn it but they did a great job, you really would not have known it was that new! Ben is playing his first headline gig in the new year and starting big at the auspicious King Tuts, which should be well worth a trip to Glasgow!
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Next was Daytime TV, we know that as they told us four times during the set as well as it being clearly on the front of their drum kit! They treated us to Up All Night, Block Out The Noise, Zombie and their new single Waves. They are very pleased this song is getting played on Radio One, and see themselves as “striding into being super famous”. They finished their set with Little Pictures, and encouraged everyone to go to the merchandise stall afterwards for t-shirts, vinyl and to make friends with them. If I had not claimed a premium spot at the front barrier I would have too! It would have been a great photo as they are rather unique dressers with quite a cool 80s vibe, (although I personally cannot stand white socks with black shoes!) The lead singer Will was in a sharp suit and shades, although he too was showing off his socks with cropped trousers, at least they were black! Certainly a band worth watching out for.
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Disclaimer: I wrote the above about the support bands before The View came on stage, and before we knew that Kyle Falconer, their lead singer, was wearing long white socks with black shorts! I stick to my dislike of white socks, but there really is something to be admired about having the confidence to come out like that; with his very pale Scottish legs, he is the epitome of rockstarness! Yes he is now a dad and the band has been reported as all being a little bit more sensible for this tour. However The View are still everything you want from a rock band: energetic, enthusiastic and loud; with Kyle being a very bouncy force to be reckoned with!
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The View played a great set with many much loved classics alongside some of the new material, all performed with vigour and joy! The band were having as much fun as the rest of us and their enthusiasm came through in the performance. The set included How Long, Underneath the Lights, Tragic Magic, Anfield Row, and Face for the Radio. Kieren Webster the bass player took centre stage to sing a couple of songs including Realisation. Peter Reilly even started off Happy Birthday Phoebe for his girlfriend, which obviously we all eagerly joined in with. I especially enjoyed the song with the lyric “if you’re allergic to mornings wake up in the afternoon” and Kyle’s suggestion that surely that is what we all wish we could do, if only our workplaces would accept that as an excuse! Obviously their hit song Same Jeans was also fabulous to see live again. Unfortunately Kyle had some technical issues during it but his roadies handled it really well, and the crowd kept the singing going so there wasn’t any interruption of the set. Just another example of the love in a room that keeps things going with a live music experience. The kind of thing you just don’t get sitting on your sofa listening to Spotify! We were there, we lived that unique live version of that song, which makes it special to those in the room.
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This concert was the first all standing event in Hall C of the P&J Live venue. I feel quite honoured to being at this historic event, and certainly must say it was a successful one! There were some great, Scottish, bands. The room worked really well, sound was great with good acoustics, and it didn’t take nearly as long to get out of the car park as it does when it is a big arena gig! The staff were friendly and helpful, ushering us in and out, and we even got free glasses of water down the front when the bouncing all got a bit too much for some of us! Two people did have to get taken out by security at the front barrier, I was glad I was on the not so bouncy side and so could just enjoy the music without being shoved around. Whatever the problem was, it dealt with quickly and effectively, so the rest of us were able to carry on having a great night!
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Another body did go over the barrier, but this was at the end of the night. It was a young lad that was picked out of the crowd by Kyle for having been completely rocking out the entire night. He was invited to go backstage with his dad and get a setlist and meet the band! I saw his face as he headed round the back and that definitely made his year! A wonderful experience for a youngster, helping encourage the future generations to love live music as much as I do.
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Further information: Ben Walker https://beacons.ai/benwalker
Daytime TV https://ffm.bio/daytimetv
The View https://theview.lnk.to/exorcismofyouth
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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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