Hug & Pint, Glasgow
Thursday 20th July, 2023
The Hug and Pint restaurant/ bar has a delicious feeling in its basement venue, it seems to attract a very exciting kind of music. On this Thursday summers eve I arrived in a very expectant mood, soon to be lavishly rewarded.
Into this lovely space & stage came act one MC Blance, with gusto of style and sound and dress; their music had that hint of rock n’ roll. This band is looking like not being far from some kind of popularity explosion. He mixed his words into melodies that turned into a kind of rapping, with a thorough melodic flow. This cleverly gave him an edge that with fluidity had great rhythmic lyricisms pouring into his tight performance supported by guitar, drum and keyboard.
It turned out that these three acts: Mc Blance, Joyful and headliners the magnificent Megan Black, are part of the forming of a freshly and elaborately purveying new Scottish music scene turning heads in the blending of genre’s of which there were a few. Pointing towards this tasty musical expression, Joyful came on as a solo act playing a folky guitar and holding a tremendous vocal tone.
As I say there was a flavour which was enriching with an intensity of having a good righteous time. We were treated to an impressive array of quality from these young artists holding the night transfixed.
The mood that rises there, as the loud music thundered from the drums fitted at the back, goes along to amplify through the size and the way the room is lit that makes for a good appeal. Offering a very kinky charm and cheekiness, it was a great feeling to stand there with the groups & solo act who just gave it their all.
Megan Black’s great presence as the front person was filled with beauty, redness and a fiery will for getting across. In her band; made up of guitars, drums, bass and 2 supporting vocal it was clear why she is receiving attention from far and wide winning a host of awards and creating a staunch following, it was evident as she came on stage that her look had the evening set.
Her album ‘Deadly is a Woman’ is a brand new recording from a very highly talented artist. Her pace alone could be felt in all its nuances, her dress was a promise that filled with style’s well thought out and already delivered a message for human liberation. A very certain purpose surrounds what she is accomplishing , and I’m sure she’s not alone in this; she is using music as a vehicle to stand up for her cause and bring about more awareness to these issues so well prevalent in our world today.
The music blows through in its award-winning wonderfulness, gusty with great bravado. Vocals loud and lyrics written she performed with every ounce she could spare, a highlight to any day. The group were very relaxed but also had a kind of focus that came across with an earnestness that looked effortless and universal, having faith in a very highly elevated live performance.
Really cast your attention on having a look at this band who could stir you into caring and concerning as a community, a caring and loving but also daring and giving. Making of music a complete discernment that oozed joy as a celebration and a loosening of a crowd who were there to be rocked apart. So well grounded with the task of enlivening rock n roll in the style of ruckus hippie like carefreeness, impressive and beyond capable.
Daniel Donnelly
Mumble Music 