The Spirit of Spike Island finally makes its presence felt in Edinburgh tonight as the independent label’s Afflecks Palace and Pastel take to the city’s Mash House.
With the gig a sell out, the venue’s almost as congested as Piccadilly Record’s server was yesterday, resulting in their web site crashing as Afflecks Palace fans placed orders for their forthcoming album The Only Light In This Tunnel Is The Oncoming Train in limited edition midnight blue.
Speaking to the band’s frontman and Spirit of Spike Island founder J. Fender before the gig, he confirmed that the vinyl allocation sold out on the day and promised that more limited editions would be making an appearance in other dandy shades. With momentum around Afflecks Palace growing and the band lined up to play the Radio 6 Music Festival in March, it might be a good idea to be prepared, Piccadilly!
PASTEL
But first up tonight is Pastel. Fronted by cousins Jack and James Yates, Pastel are continuing to make waves on the back of their Liam Gallagher support slots at Knebworth and Cardiff Bay last year. Infusing that old Madchester swagger with an uplifting glaze of shoegaze, they cite influences including The Charlatans, Ride, The Stone Roses, The Verve and Shack, and although the spirit of these bands can be heard charging through their music, they put their own spin on it with unwavering levels of self-assurance that will see them go far.
The blistering baseline groove of first number Run Rabbit Run weaves under Jack’s woozy vocals, at times calling to mind The Stone Roses. With a bit of a young Damon Albarn about him, rhythm guitarist and occasional bongo player James shares centre-stage with Jack, providing backing vocals and added banter. The crowd’s in great voice too, adding to the boisterous atmosphere.
Lead guitarist Joe Anderson is picking up a bit of attention himself for his John Squire-esque fretwork and tonight propels us into the upbeat groove of anthemic S.O.H.O from last year’s Isaiah EP before sweeping us under the hypnotic charms of his luscious slide guitar on trip-inspired Escape, Jack drifting off into a psychedelic daze. Sublime!
Although the set’s short, and their numbers sprawl rather than snap, a glaring omission has got to be mesmerising masterpiece, Isaiah, lead single and title track from their latest EP, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one to be waiting for the shimmer of its opening chimes. The towering Two Fools is absent too, another beast from the EP but they do include a new track from their much-anticipated debut album, which is expected to be released early next year, according to manager J, Jack telling the audience “if you don’t like it, I don’t give a shit!” James on the other hand says he’ll cry. Ah well, they needn’t worry either way because it’s another glittering gem, its effortless hook and smouldering baseline creating an ethereal pulse which seeps through the swathes of dry ice.
They finish with 2021’s Deeper Than Holy, title track from their first EP, the fan favourite swerving towards The Verve with the vocal swagger of a Gallagher. The Yates boys take a step back as bassist Liam O’Shea and Joe take the limelight for a few moments…shame the dry ice has masked drummer Rhys Wheeler for most of the evening. Nevertheless, he made his presence known earlier when Jack asked who won the Scotland v Wales Six Nations rugby fixture, reminding us that Joe, Liam and Rhys are Welsh, which could account for the influx of red tops in the audience. At least they’ve been able to cheer on one winning team today with Pastel not putting a foot wrong. They’ve just got it, whatever the elusive ‘it’ actually is…and it’s unlikely they’ll be gracing such small venues for much longer.
Check out our July 2022 interview with Pastel’s Jack and James >>
AFFLECKS PALACE
J. Fender formed Afflecks Palace with guitarist Dan Stapleton back in 2019, and with no record deal in place set up his own record label under his Spirit of Spike Island brand which was initially an online clothing store. With tonight’s support act Pastel also on their roster along with Vega Rally and Ava Carlyle, it’s exhausting watching J go about his many duties and surprising that he still manages to fit in time for a couple of tacos before the gig.
But J’s energy knows no bounds, and as he saunters on to the stage decked out in regulation bucket hat and shades, he brims with a contagious enthusiasm, flanked by drummer Pete Redshaw and two long-haired beardy chaps, namely guitarist Dan and newest recruit, bassist Steve Jackson, who looks so relaxed it’s like he’s always been right there by his side.
Their music is a modern day nod to the sounds of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, in particular the Madchester movement, with Dan’s gleaming guitar soaring through the heart of each finely-tuned track. Fan favourite This City Is Burning Alive kicks off the set with its blazing Smiths-esque riff and propulsive chorus, while the bruising bass and kaleidoscopic surge of Carpe Diem, also from first album, What Do You Mean It’s Not Raining, follows, the crowd spiralling off into a psychedelic stupor.
J’s in his element as he asks the crowd “yaaright?” before reminding everyone that new album, The Only Light In This Tunnel Is The Oncoming Train, is out on 7th April. In anticipation of the release, they showcase latest single, Holiday along with a few new numbers including I’m So Glad You’re On Ecstasy, Patchwork Quilted Veins and Wake Up… well I guess not all songs can conjure up imaginative titles. The second half of the gig sees the crowd’s energy levels rise as first release from the new album, Dancing Is Not A Crime, hits the floor, its searing riffs and melodic grooves spawning an uplifting fuzz of nostalgia.
At one point J clambers on to his soapbox to point out that the band are entirely independent, “it’s all us, no big f**king conglomerate…there’s no one sitting on their big leather chair, browsing TikTok for then next big viral hit”, reminding everyone of what you can achieve with a bit of graft, a sentiment we’ve heard a lot recently from many bands who sing the praises of the DIY route. They then dive into Big Fish, Small Pond which was inspired by the very subject of his rant. Ah well, at least they got a great wee tune out of all that negativity!
But it’s this hard graft that’s beginning to pay off for the band, J earlier admitting that “music owes you nothing apart from the opportunity to be creative”, going on to say it’s all about the little victories and how “getting to the top of the mountain is the enjoyable bit, whether you make it to the top or not”. And it’s clear to see that these guys are enjoying the climb, which is starting to reap rewards such as being invited to support Razorlight on their forthcoming tour, the 6 Music Festival slot and increased radio play.
J wears his heart on his sleeve and the band’s admiration for the music that’s influenced them along the way is no secret. With this in mind, they indulge in a buoyant rendition of The Smiths’ Big Mouth Strikes Again, the crowd as elated as the band themselves… superb stuff!
Last up is debut single, Forever Young, its lyrics and revolving riff invoking memories the a time when many of us did feel forever young. It’s a fitting end to a fantastic night, Afflecks Palace’s illuminating performance filled with a passion and optimism which spills over into the jubilant crowd.
Afflecks Palace will be back in Scotland in July for Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival…bucket hats at the ready!
Check out our September 2022 interview with J. Fender >>
Words: Shirley Mack @musingsbymarie
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh@ayecandyphotography