Glasvegas, Thomas Tantrum, Fruition.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 8th June 2008.

It was on Friday 10th October 2003 that four Glaswegians arrived in Bedford to perform to what was virtually a half full venue. That band was Franz Ferdinand, who have since climbed the ladder of fame and fortune. Tonight, four more Glaswegians have followed the same trail. Whether the outcome will be the same is very much for the future, but GLASVEGAS draw a packed Sunday night crowd. After appearing a couple of weeks ago on the Jools Holland BBC2 show 'Later', now Bedford Esquires presents this young band with another part of their small venue learning curve.

There is a hushed anticipation as the lights are extinguished and the strains of "Moonriver" echo around the room. Finally there is a collective roar as Paul Donogue, James Allan, Caroline McKay and Rab Allan make their way on stage. Smoke from the dry ice machines billows around the Glasvegas working area, atmosphere rules O.K. "Lonesome swan" begins the Scottish anthemic sound. The hype that has followed the band for the last six months is here for all Bedford to see. But if Alan McGee is backing them, that's good enough for me. The vitriolic "It's my own cheating heart that makes me cry" is hard hitting, and as with all the set it has the feel of a sixties 'Spector wall of sound'.

Current single "Geraldine" fully shows that Glasvegas could be a 21st century Velvet Underground, especially with a female drummer and the vocalist's shades! The light relief that "Go Square Go" induces with its chorus of "here we go, here we go" brings a smile. That's not to say that tonight is dour, even though Glasvegas have been brought up on the mean streets of Glasgow. The lyrics are hard edged. It's either play in a band or play for the buoys! "Daddy's Gone" is without doubt the song of the night. It's the bands final offering, but this tale of torment seen through the eyes of a fatherless child is absolutely mind-blowing and performed brilliantly. It perfectly captures the Glasvegas phenomenon. Whether tonight has seen a gigantic musical awakening for the future or that they are merely another false dawn is for the coming months.

In the two years since THOMAS TANTRUM last played at Esquires, this reviewer has finally warmed to them. It's mood music from a band rapidly gaining plaudits for their beautifully constructed songs. Vocalist Megan looks so fragile, but she sure shouts a set of lyrically charged tunes that eventually may escape out to the mainstream.

FRUITION are, as always, solid and dependable with their lively 'mod pop'. "Nothing to Lose" and "All Over Again" win over many in the crowd who are seeing them for the first time.