SWG3, Glasgow
June 28the, 2023
There’s a place in Glasgow’s Yorkhill down towards the Clyde where a railway bridge’s tunnels are being used to a remarkable extent for all kinds of things. Then in a corner you come to a venue called SWG3, this venue caters for a world of creative pasttime’s. I had been there a few times now and for the eve I was there to see an Australian originated band called simple ‘Ocean alley’ they were there to deliver a show tight and expectant with energy.
It’s a nice place with plenty of room and is well known to show crowds quite the performance. The support act called; ‘Seaside’ were given a very healthy almost hour, something nice about that, to get things going. This group looked great as the lights billowed in different colours, and great rocking and sultry music spilled into the room.
The large room filled more and more, waiting as obvious fans, for the headliners Ocean Alley to appear, and when they did believe it was loud. Very much enjoying the dynamics of the place their great presence was confirmed being a 6 piece act, electric and firing. Crowd appreciation was I say again evident as the mood rose into great heights, well known lyrics sung and couples revelled.
The band formed in 2011 as an Australian band who concentrated on their local neighbourhoods and areas. They’ve got to be surfers because if they weren’t they wouldn’t have been able to form the sound and style of their musical delectations. This venue as I said caters in many guises from food to night club, so the evening felt like a night club venue with live music, another great space for a Glaswegian to go out and have a really good time. Since their formation they have recorded 4 studio albums, not counting EP’s, their attitude was as fresh as ever.
Long haired rock blended with a psychedelic, wave conferences came at us in the waves of a very distinctive vibe. Vocals rang out and grabbed the attentions of the room in a very smooth transition. I took it all in with glee, stepping back to absorb, there was something even operatic about it, perhaps in its volume and strength of stamina, after all Australia isn’t exactly next door. Their whole vibe is a good vibe, these adventurers who don their hats and long hair to crowds they know well how to entertain on instruments that packed the same way we did.
Great vibe, great t-shirt and merchandise stand, left me with an image of rock n’ roll and importantly of getting together. What better way of getting together than transporting yourself to a gig where you felt like you could be anywhere in the world. I’m very sure that their influences and tastes regarding what must be a whirlwind life vary and are many, but their modern and original music blasts the cobwebs away and strove out on its own. Great view, music, atmosphere, with a universal rock giving.
Daniel Donnelly
Mumble Music 