Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs delivered a thunderous, genre-bending set in Edinburgh — complete with Vengaboys mischief — proving they belong on Download’s lineup.
Okay, Download — it’s clearly time to review your booking policy if a top-quality rock band like Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (Pigsx7 for short) feels the need to (tongue firmly in cheek) cover the Vengaboys just to get your attention and hopefully land a spot on your bill. When frontman Matt Baty cheekily introduces Boom Boom Boom Boom with the sort of grin that says “yes, we know exactly what we’re doing,” it’s both hilarious and quietly pointed — a band on album five, playing ferocious, proper rock, resorting to 90s Eurotrash just to try and get noticed? Come on.
What’s going on in the world when a band on their fifth album, who play proper rock music and have a clearly devoted following, aren’t asked to play? I know we’re living in confusing and challenging times, but do you really need to make it worse?
The venue, La Belle Angele, is the type of dark, sweaty basement perfect for proper rock bands. I saw Massive Wagons there last year, and there are a number of other brilliant acts due to play there soon. If you’re not familiar with it and haven’t given it a try for a gig yet, you really should — you won’t regret it.
The support act, Split Dogs, are a full-on, no-messing rock band with punk tendencies. Their lead singer commanded the stage in a highly impressive way — the banter about Edinburgh and stairs, the crowd questions, and the 90s Scotland top all got the audience on side. They performed a well-drilled, excellently played and full-throttle set that surely won them some new admirers. By the end of their set, the venue was pretty much at full capacity (which, when you’re near the front like I was for a while, means you’re not moving very much). They left to rapturous applause — I suspect it won’t be long before they’re back.
Pigsx7 walked out and owned the stage from the start. They are consummate musicians — you don’t get to five albums otherwise — but they’re also showmen when they want to be. The lead singer told a brilliant story about a fan approaching him to say how great the band were… but that he was rubbish. It was the kind of moment that captured the band’s charm — a blend of honesty, humour, and sheer presence that had the crowd totally on side.
They played a mix of older songs and new material, along with Boom Boom Boom Boom by the Vengaboys — though thankfully their version was totally unrecognisable from the original (and all the better for it). Every song was delivered with the 100% commitment you’d expect from this band. The crowd chanted their name, the engagement was off the scale, and the volume matched it.
At times last night, Pigsx7 became the unexpected offspring of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. At others, they edged into full punk energy. And sometimes, just sometimes, it felt like they might slide into glorious 80s poodle rock territory. But what was clear all the way through is this: Pigsx7 are a great rock band who really, really deserve to be at next year’s Download — if not this year’s.
Words: Iain McClay
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography