HUSKY LOOPS // THE BLUE ARROW, GLASGOW
Experimenters, Husky Loops, put a small Scottish crowd in a cyclone with superb support and a knock-out set.
★★★★☆ (4/5)
Husky Loops have been on the scene for a few years now, and are out touring the debut album ‘I Can’t Even Speak English.’ Their creative style draws from many genres and to label their expression as broadly as so-called ‘art rock’ is too constrictive. Listening to the new release is a like going to a theme park – round every corner is new thrill that’s unlike the last. The tracks jump from deep, stomach trembling bass to popping electronica; the lyrics go from cradling tenderness to brazen vulgarity. But brilliance is for the brave and Husky Loops are bold.
Their set was in sleek jazz bar The Blue Arrow. It was really unfortunate to see how unattended the night was. A small crowd of around 20 came to the show which suggests that little work on tour promotion was done. It was merry audience, nonetheless, drinks flowed, and spilled, and a carefree atmosphere filled the room.
The night’s support was the heavy, old school grime rapper Fusion. The fierce Londoner bounded on to the stage and he took full ownership of it. He powerfully prowled, stared down his audience and spat out his proverbs. He grabs the reins and had the room transfixed. Fusion also introduced his little brother, SVK, to the stage and together they lit up the room.
Danio Forni, Husky Loop’s frontman, worked on the mixing of brother’s performance and, in turn, the support featured prominently in the main set of night. The bass amped up and the screen behind the band flashed white. The lads turned it out. Forni, despite playing with support, kept his energy going. He said little to the crowd but had an endearing humility to his character that worked perfectly with the brashness of the band’s music.
The highlights of the initial section of their set were the performances of the hard ‘Good as Gold’ and ‘Temporary Volcano’. They gloriously played the Fifa famous track ‘Everytime I Run’ and we as the provocative ‘F** Me Naturally.’ As the evening began to reach its climax, Fusion and SVK joined the stage. They had been enjoying themselves with the modest crowd before explosively returning and the two units ferociously fireworked. ‘I Think You’re Wonderful’ was played as the evening drew to a close and the audience meant it as they sung it back to the band.
Husky Loops are cutting edge and damn trendy. They deserved to play in venues packed to the rafters. They are a hidden spark soon to make a bonfire and you should grab the chance to see them before everyone is after a glimpse of their light.