Dublin five-piece Gurriers pound the stage of Glasgow’s Mono with their unapologetic and turbulent post-punk, commanding a raucous response from the audience, the evening feeling every bit a warm up to the city’s upcoming Idles and Fontaines D.C. shows.
But before the rampage gets underway, London’s Automotion take to the stage as ambient swathes of shoegaze collide with some epic excursions in experimental rock, keeping the crowd enthralled for the duration of their set. With influences ranging from Neu! to My Bloody Valentine, and four EPs under their belts since vocalists/guitarists Jesse Hitchman and Lennon Gallagher formed the band in 2020, the four-piece illuminate Mono with a set which dips into the sprawling soundscapes of June’s Dissolve EP and sublime new single Inferno, which recalls the woozy waves of Ride. Automotion are without doubt a band on a journey of discovery and definitely one to watch.
Gurriers are flying high at the moment, even making an appearance on Later…with Jools Holland a few weeks ago, throwing some class into the mix. But tonight they’re positively airborne as they blast into the searing drills of Nausea, opening track from debut album Come And See, their feet barely touching the ground for the the rest of the set, the siren cry of guitars as urgent as vocalist Dan Hoff’s lyrics as he pummels into the evils of social media. First to make a beeline for the crowd is guitarist Mark MacCormack, as Hoff stirs things up from the stage on the corrosive chaos of Close Call, and it’s pretty much a free for all for the rest of the night. Bassist Charlie McCarthy looks every bit the menacing minx in red ’n’ black stripes, reminiscent of a moody young Brian Molko as he enters the churning moshpit during the low slung breakdown of the glorious Des Goblin, before clambering onto a table, Hoff’s deranged rambling about society’s apathy to the atrocities of the world building an air of agitation which practically ignites the room.
But tonight Hoff has only one thing to ask of the audience. Dance. And dance they do, as a continual procession of stage dives accompany some impressive knee and butt slides, the odd crowd surf and face plant thrown in for good measure as the band blast through a set that knows no bounds. The atmosphere is buoyant and good natured, all ages taking part, which causes a few hands over eyes moments, though it’s one of the younger participants who has to sit out half a song to catch his breath before launching himself back into the epicentre. Aww.
With the relentless energy and raw passion of Idles, and poetic potency of fellow Dubliner’s Fontaines D.C. (along with that fine Dublin accent), Gurriers have unsurprisingly caught the attention of a similar crowd, and although both these bands will be playing Glasgow’s Ovo Hydro over the coming weeks, tonight’s gig feels a wee bit more special, they’re so literally in your face!
As the night draws to a close, the grinding grit of first single Approachable causes a near riot, Hoff crying “This is our first song. This is an anti-fascist song.” Cooling things down with one more number, Come And See, it feels like the night’s over too soon. But on second thoughts, the floor’s so drenched in sweat, beer and I dread to think what else, it’s probably time to call it a night. Stupendous!
Words: Shirley Mack @musingsbymarie
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography