Gig review: Errors, Glasgow
Errors
The Art School, Glasgow
*****
Atmospheric walk-ons don’t come much more proggy than through billowing clouds of dry ice onto a stage decorated with tropical plants while jungle noises play over the PA. But any questions of pretension were quickly pricked by biblically bearded vocalist and guitar/keys player Stephen Livingstone’s funnily awkward patter. “Do you remember us?” he greeted the crowd, referring to how long it’s been since the band last played their hometown. “We used to be a band called Errors.”
With its circling, fluttering synth and sequencer parts, beatific beat and sung topline melody – Livingstone’s heavily treated vocals intertwining with those of guest singer Cecilia Stamp (the group started as instrumentalists) – Slow Rotor typified the way Errors have found light and shade in the spaces between the meaner, more shadowy elements of their modus operandi. Ravey kraut-rocker Genuflection even bore something approaching a sing-along refrain: “How much I lied about it, on our way back home.”
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Hide AdIt gave them room to draw things down to raw basics latterly, as sludgy riff-out Tusk, and especially golden oldie Mr Milk, allowed drummer James Hamilton – his pummeling playing practically a show in itself – license to properly cut loose. Rousing closer Holus Bolus made for a suitably triumphant end to a triumphant homecoming.
Seen on 11.04.15