Huge queuing problems plagued Stag & Dagger last year with the unfounded early set time for Frightened Rabbit in the ABC. This year the festival seems to have learnt its lesson and left the big crowd pullers until later in the day.
First on at the ABC are Brooklyn’s much hyped, but still relatively unknown, The Antlers, who deliver dream filled indie rock to a slowly growing crowd. The Antlers may have released a brilliant album in ‘Hospice’ but tonight they seem slightly out of their depth in the huge ABC1.
Frontman Peter Silberman’s vocals are drowned out in early part of the set, but as the band build in confidence and the more accessible songs enter the fray the problems fade into obscurity. Latest single ‘Two’ provides the tonight’s standout but we look forward to seeing them play in more suitable surroundings in the near future.
A quick skip across the way and you’re in the Nice n’ Sleazy’s basement in plenty of time for a powerful set from noise punk trio Male Bonding. The London based trio keep the fast, noisy hooks commonly associated with punk rock but drop the unneeded sleaze.
Tonight they deliver a short yet exhilarating set which leaves the audience eagerly awaiting their next visit north of the border. Male Bonding went under our radar when they supported Vivian Girls last May but with debut album ‘Nothing Hurts’ just out they’ll be turning more than our heads in 2010.
Staying on at Sleazy’s sees you catch Glasgow based, female fronted hardcore punk act Divorce, who pull out all the stops in keeping the crowd from dashing off to see the likes of We Were Promised Jetpacks and A Place to Bury Strangers. Even a broken string doesn’t get in the way too much as they entertain with bursts from Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ as the problem gets sorted.
A mad dash up the hill to the Art School catches the end of Titus Andronicus, the bearded punks are on usual top form. The band leader, Patrick Stickles, keeps up the energy ploughing through tracks from both their brilliant releases.
We’ve covered these guys a lot in the past and this certainly won’t be the last, recently released album ‘Monitor’ is more than deserving of the band returning for another headline visit to Glasgow.
Staying on at the Art School keeps your toes bouncing as we await our most eagerly anticipated set of the night and Sleigh Bells do not let down. The Brooklyn duo bombards us with waves of electronic attitude while Alexis Krauss’ infectious squeal drags the crowd into a mass of dancing.
Sleigh Bells have a lot of things on their side, despite not being everyone’s cup of tea, their music passes many genre barriers and some of their tracks would not look out of place in the charts. Album stand out ‘Crown on the Ground’ is possibly the best example of the duos cross over charms and is greeted with a joyous sing-along tonight.
Each track of a ridiculously energetic set is met with more and more enthusiasm by a crowd who may have just met their new favourite act of the moment. We certainly look forward to seeing them back in Glasgow, if you’ve not checked these guys out yet go get your hands on their debut album ‘Treats’, it’s bound to be up there in those end of year lists.
With something to offer for everyone S&D seems to have been a resounding success; each venue is buzzing with people whether it’s to see the pop charms of Wild Beasts or the booming dubstep of Joker. Treks to the Captain’s Rest or Stereo may be areas where question marks could be raised but I’m pretty sure we haven’t seen the last of S&D.
Photograph: Alan Dunlop
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