Celtic Connections 2009, Shoeshine Records Showcase

GIG: Shoeshine Records Showcase
DATE: January 17th 2008
VENUE: ABC, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
COST: £15
RATING: Brill

We traveled from Hemel Hempstead up to Glasgow for our second annual visit to the Celtic Connections festival. We tuned in to Radio Scotland as we reached the border just in time to hear on the news that there had been a murder in Maryhill. Class! This was real life imitating art. Taggart lives!We left our hotel to go for a pizza and who did we bump into? Only the BMX Bandits who we were going to see. Hugs all round. Hadn't seen these guys since The Pearlfishers gig at last years’ Celtic Connections.

The Shoeshine gig was our first visit to the ABC, a converted cinema on Sauchiehall St. A great sized stage, good standing spaces, and a bar where you never had to wait very long to get served.

First up was a band called Boa Morte, who sounded like Leonard Cohen in a coma.

The BMX Bandits were next on. Just fantastic fun all the way through. Have to say though, 30 minutes is nowhere near enough time for these guys. Duglas must be one of the best front men a band could possibly have. Rachel looked as if she was preggers on stage and we decided it would be too dangerous to ask her in case we put our foot in it. Actually, when we met her later it was very obvious that she WAS. A new wee bandit due in April it seems.

Then we heard some new songs from Teenage Fanclubs’ Norman Blake. They sounded very promising to us. Even though there was just the two of them on stage, we could hear some nice harmonies there.

Top of the bill was Attic Lights. All the months of touring last year showed with this very slick performance. Not contrived or anything, just really professional. Fame and fortune awaits them in the coming months. We couldn’t decide on who was the best singer in the band.

It was a great show to be at, and they really enjoyed it too.

Afterwards we headed to the Central Hotel for the Celtic Connections club. But another £15 each in changed our minds.

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