Fang Island are one of the latest of the wave of New York artists labeled as “math rock” to pass through the UK. Despite the band’s calculated, mass pedal usage there is a hugely joyous, fun-filled attitude coming along with them.
Support tonight comes from local boys Endor, who bring an atmospheric yet pop filled charm to the start of the evening. Without completely blowing the crowd away, these guys have a solid base and will have won over a few new fans tonight, despite a lot in attendance being here to see them.
As Fang Island fronting duo Jason Bartell and Nicholas Andrew Sadler appear on stage clad in colourful hoodies (wizard like in the case of Bartell), it is hard to tell whether they are the height of New York cool, or the complete opposite. Any doubts on this are quickly quashed by the sheer joy they embody when playing.
Opening with ‘Dream of Dreams’, the band’s head bouncing, energetic antics quickly win over the sadly half full crowd. Still, the relatively small crowd is more than up for the show, and while hesitant during the support are now dancing along enthusiastically, something there isn’t usually room for in the Rest.
The band clearly are enjoying their first visit to Glasgow, or indeed their first full tour, as Bartell emphasises “we’ve never been anywhere before”, after stating how great it was to be here. The happiness these guys put into playing live could win over the most hardhearted music fan.
‘The Illinois’ forms an early highlight of the set conjuring up images of a superhero racing the rescue. The five-piece bounce through tracks from a self-titled debut album worth of mostly instrumental wonder.
As the set progresses into the skies the band move from potential hit to potential hit. Latest single ‘Daisy’ moves into set stand out ‘Sideswiper’ before closing on the explosive bursts of ‘Davey Crockett’.
By the end of the set it simply doesn’t matter if these guys are cool or not, and despite the lackluster attendance this evening, expect a scramble for tickets next time they hit British shores.
Picture: Gordon Ballantyne
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