There’s always a certain quality when musicians celebrate their own discographies in the form of live shows.
One of Scotland’s finest exports alongside haggis and Billy Connolly, rock group Twin Atlantic stormed Bristol with the 10-year celebration of their BPI Certified Gold album Free. The album, which lead to their place on the renowned Vans Warped Tour, is a fan favourite and a milestone in the band’s musical career.
An album which doesn’t shy away from substance-driven impulses, and the vulnerability of love, their second studio album is an impressive collection of rock anthems which was an excellent addition to the scene back when it was released. It was exciting to see it still considered of high calibre by the many fans who came to see the show, many wearing old (and new) band merchandise.
Twin Atlantic’s ability to deliver an album live, ten years after it was released, in such an explosion of energy was impressive, to say the least. A whole decade later – and they’ve still got it, even down to one of the very last shows of the tour. Performing the album in full, including singles such as the unapologetic Edit Me and titular anthem Free, it was as if the band hadn’t spent a single day in years not performing these songs. Following the album’s full play through, they treated fans to some of their biggest hits, such as Great Divide’s Brothers and Sisters, and ending on BPI Certified Silver single Heart and Soul from the same album.
An unexpected gem of the night didn’t come from Twin Atlantic but in fact from one of two support bands of the night, in the form of Glasgow rockers Dead Pony. Reminiscent of the same feministic ambience of similarly female-led Australian group Amyl and The Sniffers, the quartet owned the stage as if it was their birthright, capturing the audience from the very first song in their set. Their most recent single Bullet Farm was seemingly a favourite across the room, head banging as far as the eye could see. There were also already fans of the group in attendance, seeing plenty of T-shirts with the aforementioned song title printed across the chest. The band’s front woman Anna Shields dominated the stage throughout the set, with the same rule as the main act’s own frontman, Sam McTrusty.
Dead Pony also supported alongside fellow Glasgow band Declan Welsh & the Decadent West, who provided rhythmic rock tunes for the perfect pre-show dance party.
Twin Atlantic put on a terrific performance of an album which has a long-standing effect on the industry and fans alike, and if they follow suit, Dead Pony are sure to end up much the same in years to come.
Words and pictures: Daisy Kent @daisylkent